Keynsham Voice September 2023

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Have your say on big shake-up of A4 travel

HUGE changes could be made to the A4 road linking Keynsham and Saltford with Bath and Bristol in an attempt to boost bus, cycling, and walking options.

Six miles of bus lanes and over nine miles of bike lanes could be installed on and alongside the A4 under the plans, but a spokesperson for the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) said: “This is at a very early stage and nothing is set in stone.”

The changes could see two lanes on the Keynsham bypass replaced with bus lanes and the Bristol and Bath Railway Path extended further into Bath.

People who live, work, and travel along the route are being asked to have their say on the plans in a consultation that was launched recently.

A WECA spokesperson said: “Residents first gave their views on the ‘Bath to Bristol Corridor’ project in 2021 and this feedback has shaped today’s updated plans.

“Responses from residents showed some of their key priorities included more reliable bus services, greener spaces and cleaner air. But it is recognised that these proposals will not be good for everyone, which is why

n Turn to Page 3

Exam results

Students at Wellsway School and Broadlands Academy have been praised for their hard work in achieving their GCSE and A-Level results.

PAGES 4 & 5

Top-class effort

Keynsham’s newest primary school has been awarded Ofsted’s highest grade in its first inspection.

PAGE 6

Playing fields plea

A petition is calling for the public to be allowed to use the playing fields at Somerdale for free.

PAGE 7

Pre-school cheer

A Keynsham pre-school has been rated “good” by Ofsted after improvements following an inspection earlier this year.

PAGE 9

Film star dies

A Hollywood actress who once lived in Keynsham has died at the age of 93.

PAGE 18

A couple in their 80s have married after falling in love at a Keynsham retirement village - full story on Page 8

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October deadline

Tennis festival to boost Dan’s cancer campaign

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A TENNIS festival is being held to boost a charity fundraising campaign by a young Keynsham man who has bowel cancer.

Junior doctor Dan Money, pictured, was diagnosed with the disease last November at the aged of 24.

He has since been raising money for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) because the research the charity funds is crucial in the search for new treatment options, early diagnosis and hopefully cures for all cancers.

So far, events organised by family and friends have raised more than £30,000.

Now one of his former teachers, Lou Riddoch, has organised a fundraiser called Dan’s Festival of Tennis, which will take place at Bath Tennis Club on Sunday September 10.

Lou said: “I had the pleasure of teaching Dan when he was a pupil at Wellsway School. Dan was an absolute delight to teach. I also enjoyed being a fellow member at Bath Tennis Club, where Dan was an exceptionally good junior player.”

The tennis festival, which will run from 2pm to 6pm, will include coaching and match-play for adults and juniors, cardio tennis, red ball, and family play. There will also be a ball machine that people can have a go on.

Lou said: “It is aimed at being

a fun afternoon, open to the public and all welcome. People can come along and play or just socialise.”

The event at the tennis club in Park Lane (BA1 2XQ) will also feature a barbecue, bar, tea, coffee and cakes, and a raffle.

Lou added: “We are not charging for entry but ask people to make a donation to Cancer Research UK in support of Dan and his battle against cancer.”

On his fundraising page, Dan tells how he was diagnosed with cancer after having symptoms for just two weeks, and how the diagnosis and prognosis came as a complete shock to him, his family and friends.

He said: “As an F2 Junior Doctor, I appreciate how important up-to-date research is in helping increase treatment options for people, like me, who are currently undergoing chemotherapy.”

He praised the support and treatment he has received from medical staff in Birmingham, where he has been working.

To donate to Lou’s fundraiser, please visit https://fundraise. cancerresearchuk.org/page/ dans-festival-of-tennis

To see Dan’s fundraising page, go to https://fundraise. cancerresearchuk.org/page/ daniels-giving-page-2711605

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

You can help shape road to the future

residents are being urged to take part in the six-week consultation and help shape the plans.”

The proposals are part of a £540m project by WECA to improve public transport across the region and are being worked on in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council.

In Keynsham, bus lanes would be installed along the length of the bypass in each direction, leaving just one lane on each side for all other traffic. The speed limit would 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 the Memorial Park, including a bus stop with shelters, screens showing live bus times, and bike storage.

The rules would also be changed to allow people to cycle through the Memorial Park, and a new cycle route through the park would be created. Some trees could be removed for this to be created but would be replaced, the plans state.

New “quiet routes” would be set up along Station Road connecting to the High Street, and along Bath Road connecting to Wellsway Sports Centre.

A new one-way bus lane could also be installed from the Broadmead roundabout on the edge of Keynsham towards Saltford. New bus stops would also be created along this route and pavements would be

widened where possible.

A new crossing could also be created by the Esso garage on this stretch of road.

On the other side of town, beyond the Hicks Gate roundabout, the existing bus lanes would be extended to the Emery Road junction.

A “mobility hub” could be created in the future by the Hicks Gate roundabout, but does not form part of the current plans.

In Saltford, a network of “quiet routes” could be introduced. These could be set up along sections of Grange Road and Manor Road, as well as along North Road and the High Street to connect to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, and between the Globe Roundabout and Bath Spa University campus.

Small stretches of bus lane could also be created between Manor Road and Uplands Road running towards Bristol, and approaching the Globe Roundabout running towards Bath. New pedestrian and cycle crossings would also be installed on the roundabout.

The plans could extend the Bristol and Bath Railway Path further through Bath, while also

How the A4 through Saltford could look under the plans

Image: West of England Combined Authority

cutting four miles off the route to Bristol city centre.

A stretch of disused railway between Brassmill Lane and Station Road could be added to the cycle path under the plans, allowing cyclists to stay on the path longer when entering Bath rather than immediately joining the road.

Once cyclists leave Bath on the path, it currently takes them towards Bristol following the general direction of the River Avon before turning away from the river near Keynsham

and looping around the Bristol suburbs, coming into the centre of Bristol from the North.

Under these proposals, a new two-way cycle route could follow the A4 from Saltford to Keynsham and on to Totterdown in Bristol, bypassing the Bristol suburbs, and giving people a quicker option for cycling than the existing route.

Full details of the plans can be seen at https://b2b. haveyoursaywest.co.uk/

A consultation on the plans will run until October 1.

Details of drop-in events in Keynsham and Saltford and an online webinar can be found on Pages 24 and 25, along with other information about the proposals.

You can also email write to: Bath to Bristol A4 Consultation team, West of England Combined Authority, 70 Redcliff St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6AL. John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Bright future ahead after effort pays off

STUDENTS and staff from Broadlands Academy in Keynsham are celebrating after receiving top GCSE grades.

The exams represent the culmination of Year 11 students’ secondary school education, and their grades determine what they will do next – further study, an apprenticeship or entry-level role in the workplace.

This is the second year that exams have taken place as normal, but schools across the country are still dealing with the impact of the pandemic.

To support the students, staff at Broadlands, which is part of AET - a national network of schools - laid on additional interventions such as masterclasses after school, holiday revision sessions and small group booster sessions.

All these efforts paid off, with students securing some brilliant results, including the following four students, who are all heading to St Brendan’s Sixth Form College to study A Levels:

Louie Croft (five Grade 9s, one Grade 8 and two Grade 7s); Sam Krisciunas (four Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and one Grade 7);

Amallie Passmore (six Grade 8s and three Grade 7s); and Bella de Carteret (one Grade 9, five Grade 8s, one Grade 7 and two Grade 6s).

Principal Louise Hamilton said: “I am delighted that our Year 11 students have once again done so well in their GCSEs. Their results reflect huge effort and resilience over time.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with these dedicated, hard-working young people, and I am delighted that they will now be able to pursue their chosen next steps with

confidence and pride.”

Karl Sampson, regional education director for the South West at AET, said: “My congratulations to everyone at Broadlands Academy for everything they have achieved this year. Our Year 11s have worked so hard and shown grit and determination and have been supported so brilliantly by the entire Broadlands team.

“Particular congratulations to Louie, Sam, Amallie and Bella for their results – I have every confidence they have very bright futures ahead of them.”

WELLSWAY School in Keynsham has praised the “tremendous achievements” of its class of 2023 in their GCSE exams.

The school said: “Our school has a long track record of academic excellence and this year, despite the challenges, is no different. Our pupils have once again shown they are capable of achieving some of the best grades in the county.”

The school issued special congratulations to the following: Bethany (nine Grade 9s, one Grade 8), Mark (nine Grade 9s and one Grade 7), Mindy (eight Grade 9s and two Grade 8s), Lucy (eight Grade 9s and two Grade 8s), Tobey (eight Grade 9s and two Grade 8s), Sophia (six Grade 9s and four Grade 8s), Alfie (four Grade 9s, four Grade 8s and two Grade 7s), Benny (four Grade 9s, four Grade 8s and two Grade 7s), Raphael

(five Grade 9s, two Grade 8s, two Grade 7s and one Grade 6), Aaron (five Grade 9s, two Grade 8s, two Grade 7s and one Grade 5), Isabella (three Grade 9s, four Grade 8s and three Grade 7s), Janos (four Grade 9s, two Grade 8s, three Grade 7s and one Grade 6), Calvin (four Grade 9s, two Grade 8s, three Grade 7s and one Grade 6).

Other excellent individual successes included: Holly, Noah, Darcy, Florence, Ella, Isabella, Millie, Heidi, Phoebe, James, Jos, Oliver, Klea, India, Isla, Toby, Izzy and Molly, who all made outstanding progress.

Mr Hill, deputy headteacher, said: “I am delighted with the success of our Year 11 students this year. They worked incredibly hard to achieve an excellent set of results.

“I am always impressed by the resilience and work ethic of our students, and their drive to succeed.

“They are excellent role models for the rest of the school. I wish them the very best for the future.”

Principal Rob Pearsall paid tribute to the “exceptional, inspiring, talented young people.”

He said: “We will now look forward to welcoming many of them back into our sixth form. I am confident they will benefit from a more stable period of education and they can look forward to further successes at A-Level and beyond.”

‘Tremendous achievements’

A-LEVEL RESULTS

YEAR 13 students at Wellsway School and IKB Academy in Keynsham have been congratulated on their performance in their A-Level and vocational qualifications.

Overall, for Wellsway, 54% of entries obtained a grade B or higher, and 80% a grade C or higher.

Principal Rob Pearsall said: “The hard work and motivation of our students ensures that the outcomes are a real credit to them, and we wish them every success as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives.

“I am extremely proud of all our students. So many have worked extremely hard and clearly been rewarded for their ability to adapt and maintain a sustained focus on their learning.

“I’m pleased that so many now have the qualifications and skills they need to go on to the next stage of their learning.”

This year, students sat full external examinations, with grading brought in line with 2019. Those who achieved outstanding results included:

Austin - 4 A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.

Amelia - 4 A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.

Luke H - an A* in Maths and As in Chemistry, Computing and Further Maths.

Joel - an A* in Maths and As in Computing, Further Maths and Physics.

Sophie L - an A* in Biology and As in Chemistry and Maths.

Keziah - an A* in English Literature and As in History and

Maths. Also to be commended are Joseph B (A*, A*, A, B), Joe M (A, A, A), Finn H (A, A, A), Charlie W (A*, A, B, B), Fleur (A*, A, B, B), Jay (A*, A, B, B),Toby (A*, A, B, B), Sophie O (A, A, B), Amy N (A, A, B), Finn E (A, A, B), and Darcey H (A, A, B, B).

Almost all students achieved

grades that have enabled them to progress to the next stage of their chosen route, in education, training or employment.

Austin and Amelia are studying medicine, while Anna will be starting veterinary science. Fleur is reading classics at Oxford University.

Ryan has started an

apprenticeship as a personal tax trainee, Ben S with the Ministry of Defence, and Ellie M is training with BAM Construction. The schools said: “This year’s grades show that our students have been able to cope admirably with the disruption that the pandemic has caused to their education.”

Amy, Margaux and Keziah celebrate after receiving their A-Level results at Wellsway School. Right, other students discuss their grades

‘Extremely proud of all our students’

Wellsway students Jay, Joe B and Joe M. Right, Joseph

Sophie and Anna. Right, Zoe and Katie

Primary school is rated as ‘outstanding’

KEYNSHAM’S newest primary school is starting the academic year on a high note – it has been awarded Ofsted’s highest grade of Outstanding in its first inspection.

Two Rivers CofE Primary School opened in 2020. The Ofsted report, published over the summer, rated the school as Outstanding in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.

The inspectors said that pupils described Two Rivers as a welcoming place where everyone is kind and respectful.

“Staff give pupils the courage and confidence to try new things. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND), achieve extremely well.

“Pupils consistently meet the high expectations adults have of them. They behave extremely well, both in and outside the classroom. As a result, the school

is a calm and purposeful place to learn.”

The inspectors were impressed with both academic standards and progress and children’s wider development.

“Leaders and staff have the highest ambitions for every pupil. They have created a curriculum that is designed exceptionally well. Starting in the early years, leaders have carefully considered precisely what pupils need to know and when they need to know it,” the report said.

Expert and skilful teaching of reading, phonics, maths and computing was highlighted. Ofsted praised the school’s governors and Futura Learning Trust for their support of the school.

The inspectors also noted the range of opportunities for children to develop their character, help others in their community and participate in clubs.

“They have a mature understanding of tolerance and

equality,” the report said.

Futura Learning Partnership opened Two Rivers in 2020 to serve the growing population of east Keynsham. Staff and pupils moved into their environmentally friendly buildings at Hygge Park last year.

At the time of the inspection, the school had 62 pupils aged four to seven. This year it is welcoming 21 children into its reception class, and its oldest pupils have started Key Stage 2. Headteacher Matt Filer said: “This Ofsted report is a lovely endorsement of the culture of our entire school community. We look forward to further success for all pupils at our growing our school with these strong foundations upon which to build.”

Andrea Arlidge, chief executive of Futura, said: “Congratulations to Matt Filer and his team, and of course to the children, who are an absolute credit to the school and to their families.”

Pupils “are given the courage and confidence to try new things”

‘Let children play on fields for free’

A PETITION is calling for the public to be allowed to use the playing fields at Somerdale in Keynsham for free.

It was prompted by Somerdale Pavilion Trust’s “polite reminder” to the local community that “our fields are private property.”

In a social media post, the trust added: “We politely ask you to keep this in mind and advise children to play elsewhere.

“Goal nets have been padlocked together to help try and deter any interference.

“If there are children looking for things to do over the holidays, our five-a-side courts/ tennis courts are bookable at reception.”

The Facebook post has since been deleted. But in response, a petition was set up by Dave Biddleston, a Bath & North East Somerset Labour councillor for Keynsham.

The petition on the change. org website asks the trust “to seriously consider our request to grant children access to your fields for free play.”

It adds: “We are deeply

concerned at your recent social media post underlining the necessity to “Keep of your land”, and are writing to express our horror at your decision to prevent our children from using the fields when they are not being used by paying groups and teams.

“We believe that granting access to your facilities for young individuals will not only bring countless benefits to the children themselves but also to your business in the longer term.”

The petition, which has been signed by more than 120 supporters, has attracted several comments.

One supporter said: “I have children, very few free

places they can go. Parents are struggling with bills, children are struggling after Covid. Their mental health is my priority.”

The chair of the Somerdale Pavilion Trust, Peter Rilett, told the Voice: “Since taking over the running of the Somerdale Pavilion in 2019, the Somerdale Pavilion Trust has always been keen to listen to the views of its members and the local community.

“Our sports pitches are used by more than 5,000 people annually and they are home to 50 local football teams, which include junior boys and girls sections, along with senior women’s teams.

“Historically, all the sports

pitches at the Somerdale Pavilion have been available for the sole use of the local teams that pay to play there, as well as for hosting competitions and private hire events.

“The Somerdale Pavilion Trust operates on a not-forprofit basis, and in order to keep the Pavilion’s facilities open to its members and the people of Keynsham, it is reliant on generating income to meet the significant costs of preparing and maintaining its sports pitches.

“However, we are willing to explore the possibility of making an area of the Somerdale site available to the public, subject to consultation with local residents and mitigating factors, such as health and safety concerns.

“We are looking forward to engaging with the local community and will be providing updates on any reasonable changes that can be made in the near future.”

Councillor Biddleston told the Voice: “I’m certainly looking forward to discussing their ideas about the creation of a new play area for the community.”

Yes or no? Caring Rob gives sponsors a choice

KEYNSHAM resident Rob Stewart has come up with an unusual way to mark his upcoming 70th birthday and raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice.

He has pledged to have his moustache and goatee beard dyed in Dorothy House’s corporate colours of pink and purple and seek sponsorship.

But his wife Annie thinks this is a “crazy” idea, so they have set up two JustGiving pages - one to vote for Rob to go ahead and the other to

vote against. Whichever page earns more money by the cut-off date of Rob’s birthday, September 28, will determine whether he goes ahead.

Rob said: “Dorothy House Hospice was invaluable to my now late first wife and me 11 years ago as she fought ovarian cancer. Now they are supporting my brother-in-law, having cared for his wife when she suffered an incurable double brain tumour last year.

“Dorothy House’s care is rated by the Care Quality Commission as officially Outstanding, putting it in the top three per cent of healthcare providers. That entails not only dedicated staff and volunteers (one of which I have been for the last 10 years) but a lot of financial suppor.”

To find out more, go to the JustGiving website and search for “Do it Rob! Dye your whiskers!” or “Don’t be a Wally Rob!”

A COUPLE in their 80s have married after falling in love at a Keynsham retirement village.

Christopher and Rosa, who live at the St Monica Trust retirement village in the Chocolate Quarter, tied the knot 18 months after meeting at a coffee morning.

Rosa said: “I saw him sitting by the window and I was sitting opposite. The sun was shining on him, and he had these lovely yellow socks on, which seemed to almost glow in the sunshine.

“Then he came and sat next to me on the couch, and we started talking.”

Christopher and Rosa found they had a lot in common, including a love of art, the theatre, history, music and spending time in the countryside.

They also discovered they had lived 40 miles apart from each other in Zambia in the mid-1960s, where Christopher worked as a mining engineer and Rosa’s husband was a teacher.

Despite a calamitous first date at a restaurant in Bath, where Rosa nearly choked on a banana leaf and they got soaked by torrential rain on the walk back to their car, they quickly became an item.

Rosa said: “Right from the start I found Christopher very easy to talk to. He’s a good listener, very observant and very responsive.”

Christopher said: “I found Rosa very attractive, caring and sympathetic. We have so much in common.

“She’s very loving too and very good at pulling me out of my occasional grumpy days.”

It was after booking a holiday together to Northern Italy that the idea of marriage came up.

Chris said: “If I’d got down

Wedding joy for couple in their 80s

and Rosa have taken an equally unconventional approach to married life when it comes to living together.

Rosa said: “As well as keeping our own names, we’ve also decided to keep our own apartments, which makes our friends laugh.

“I’ve got a lot of antiques that I inherited from my parents and acquired during my travels, plus all of Christopher’s belongings mean that our possessions would never fit in one apartment.”

Christopher said: “It was my naval officer son who came up with the solution. On every British warship, the captain has a day cabin and a night cabin, so we thought that was way to do it.

“So at sunset you may see us migrating across the Chocolate Quarter; or late at night, if Rosa gets fed up with my snoring!”

Christopher worked as consultant in the mining industry and Rosa trained as a State Registered Nurse before moving into the Probation Service. She is a volunteer at Charterhouse Care Home and was recently presented with a St Monica Trust’s Rose Award for her services.

on one knee, I’d never have got up. It was a bit of a babbling proposal, but luckily Rosa laughed and said ‘yes’, so we set a date for the wedding, and our holiday became our honeymoon.”

Christopher and Rosa were joined at the Bath Guildhall on their wedding day by members of both their families.

Christopher said: “It was very emotional for both of us, having

our children and grandchildren there, and we also streamed the ceremony live to New Zealand for my family who live out there.

“It was a wonderful day and everything went just as we’d hoped. People were saying we shouldn’t travel together to the ceremony and arrive separately. But life’s too short to worry about all that.”

Having had their honeymoon before the wedding, Christopher

Pooch Play Time

Both Christopher and Rosa decided to move into the Chocolate Quarter following the passing of their respective spouses.

Rosa said: “We’ve had so much fun together and the great thing is that we spend so much of our time laughing. This is such a happy place.”

Retirement village manager Tara Bygrave said: “This is our first wedding at the Chocolate Quarter, and all our residents and colleagues are absolutely delighted for Christopher and Rosa.”

Rosa and Christopher after their wedding and, below, with their guests at Bath Guildhall

Improved pre-school is rated ‘good’

IMPROVEMENTS at a Keynsham pre-school that was branded “inadequate” by Ofsted earlier this year have earned it a “good” rating after another inspection.

Queens Road Methodist Church Preschool said staff were “thrilled” by the latest rating, adding: “This reflects all the hard work of the manager and her team at the preschool to implement the improvement plan.”

After an inspection in February this year, Ofsted said children’s safety and welfare were compromised due to weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements.

Management was also criticised for not ensuring new members of the committee went through the required suitability checks with Ofsted, although the report was more positive about the children’s experiences at the pre-school.

But now the pre-school has been rated “good” in all areas,

covering overall effectiveness, behaviours and attitude, personal development, and leadership and management.

Inspectors praised the manager’s hard work to support and upskill her team’s knowledge of the safeguarding procedures, and said arrangements for safeguarding are now effective. Staff are confident about what signs and symptoms may be indicators that a child is at risk.

Ofsted said staff are caring and friendly and that children

have good relationships with them. Children behave well and create meaningful relationships. They love attending and make good progress.

Parents speak very positively about the pre-school and its staff, in particular parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, who say the manager can “never do enough” to help their family unit.

The pre-school, which has 48 children on its roll, also has an ambitious inclusive curriculum.

The pre-school said in a statement: “Staff, whilst disappointed at the findings of the report in February, used it as a learning opportunity.

“The result of the reinspection demonstrates their full commitment to making the changes highlighted and they are delighted with the outcome.”

It said parents have been advised of the latest Ofsted report and are encouraged to contact the pre-school if they have any questions.

ON THE BEAT

Please be considerate on the school run

AS the school holidays come to an end, we look ahead to the new school year.

Most Keynsham residents should be aware of the closure of the Wellsway road. This is likely to cause a chaos on Chandag Road if people who drive pupils to school decide to block the carriageway while doing so. I would urge those who need to drop pupils off at the school gates to do so sensibly, or look for a more suitable drop-off point.

The school is easily accessible from several other locations that are only a few minutes’ walk away. We will be monitoring the location and dealing with people who commit the offence of causing an unnecessary obstruction of the highway.

Since the road closure was put in place, we have had reports of speeding on Chandag Road. We have been out monitoring this and, if needed, we will look to attend and enforce the 20mph speed limit. Any possible delay needs to be factored into your travel plans, and

with PC James Evans

adequate time should be allowed to prevent the need for speeding. n I have been contacted by a local running club about rude and misogynistic comments made at female runners. Exercise is important for fitness, mental health or social interaction, and people should be able to take part without fear of derogatory remarks and gestures.

I would encourage people to challenge these sorts for behaviours so people can feel safe. Just try and put yourself in their shoes when comments are made to see how you might feel, as quite

often that’s all that is needed to realise it’s not quite right.

n I have had a request for direct contact details to be provided –unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. I work with a team of PCSOs, PCs and a sergeant, all of whom are likely to be able to help.

If I provide my contact details, then if I am out of the office, on leave, or seconded to other duties, a contact request might be delayed.

The best means of contact is through the Avon and Somerset website. If you look for the tab ‘contact a department, team or officer’ then the tab ‘contact a neighbourhood policing team’, you can enter your address; this will bring up our team, and you can send a message to our mailbox.

Otherwise, you can call 101 and a message can be passed - this is also our none-emergency phone line. Please bear in mind that if you think something is an emergency, you should call 999.

n Motorbikes and mopeds are being stolen in and around Keynsham. This is by no means

a localised problem, although I am confident that some of the offenders live locally.

We have seen a dramatic rise in these thefts, with not only of bikes parked on the street being targeted but those secured in gardens, garages and outbuildings. Please secure your bikes, even in they are parked inside, with chains or disc locks. The best precaution is to use a mixture of both, as well as a ground anchor.

The other day we recovered six bikes in one shift, four at the same location, so if you see bikes being taken to a location that looks out of the ordinary, please let us know.

The people stealing these bikes are riding them on and off road without regard for the safety of others. If you have any information relating to this, please contact us or report anonymously through Crimestoppers, at 0800 555 111 or through their website. Your information could be the piece of the puzzle we need to catch the offenders and bring them to justice.

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Red phone box is back with blooms

SALTFORD has welcomed the return of its red phone box, complete with an eye-catching flower display.

The community project was made possible by the generosity of two local businesses.

Mobius Group, under its CEO Lee Bignell, oversaw the delivery and installation of the replacement phone box at no cost to the village.

And the phone box has been filled with flowers as a gift to the Saltford community by Flourish at Glenavon Farm, following an offer by managing director Paul Castle. It will have flowers in summer and winter, and a local resident has offered to water them when required.

A red K6 phone box is thought to have stood on the corner of the A4 Bath Road and Norman Road in Saltford for five decades or more.

Saltford Parish Council adopted it from BT in 2019 after it was decommissioned. But the phone box was destroyed in a traffic accident in February 2022.

has been in talks with a local business to buy a defibrillator that would be fitted on the outside of the box.

l Pictured celebrating the return of the red phone box are

Jon Godfrey, chair of Saltford Parish Council, with Anita Bignell (centre), support services director at Mobius Group, and Marina Abraham, marketing and events manager at Flourish.

New

base for care company

LOCAL MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has opened a care company’s new office in Keynsham.

Sir Jacob cut the ribbon for Bluebird Care Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, at Avon House.

He said: “It is such an important service they provide. Over 100 people work for them, providing care for people to help them stay in their own homes.

“Some of the people have serious dementia, but being able to stay at home is good for them, and also good for the community.”

Pottery painting

A NEW activity space for adults and children has opened at Flourish Foodhall & Kitchen in Saltford.

Flourish Pottery Painting offers a range of paintable ceramics from piggybanks, princesses and rockets to teapots, mugs and vases.

Painted ceramics will be glazed and fired in Flourish’s own kiln to collect two weeks after painting.

Flourish can be found at Glenavon Farm site off the A4 Bath Road. For more details, visit www.flourishatglenavon. co.uk/potterypainting

Opinions divided on park footbridge

A NEW footbridge restoring the pedestrian route around Keynsham Memorial Park has finally opened to the public.

The bridge has been installed by Bath & North East Somerset Council and is part of a range of improvements planned for the park over the next two years.

The bridge structure is made of a polymer plastic resin that is resilient to damp conditions and is designed to be longer-lasting.

The balustrade and handrail are made of polished steel and the side panels are steel with a protective rust patina. The council says this will reduce future maintenance costs significantly.

The footways approaching the bridge have been newly tarmacked and the existing bandstand ramp cleaned, with new planting around the bridge also carried out.

The original footbridge was

closed in October 2019 after its timber beams deteriorated and became unsafe.

Reaction to the new bridge on social media has been mixed.

Some people on Facebook have praised its “contemporary” design, saying it looks “quite smart” and “very robust and permanent.”

And one comment said: “A

shiny new one would have been out of place.”

But others have complained that it looks “cheap and nasty”, with one commenter comparing it to “rusty shipwreck hull that’s been used for shooting practice”.

Some also regret the fact that the new bridge has solid sides rather than the previous railings, which allowed children to look

down into the water and play Pooh sticks.

Councillor Hal MacFie, chair of Keynsham Town Council, said: “Now people can once more enjoy their circular walks around the Memorial Park and families can access both the play areas without leaving the park.

“We can once again walk into town without touching the Bath Road and enjoy views of the River Chew on the way.”

Further improvements to the park will include addressing flooding under Echo Bridge, as well as exploring the possibility of an indoor or covered café space and better play facilities during 2023 and 2024. This follows a public survey carried out by B&NES Council in spring 2022 which showed the top five reasons for using the park were enjoying nature, exercise, a place to meet others, children’s play and to have lunch or a picnic.

The council

KEYNSHAM MINI

WALKING FESTIVAL 2023

SEPTEMBER 29th –

OCTOBER 1st

Friday 29th – 6.00 pm. Meet at St Johns Church. Team up with the Local History Society for a short walk around the town centre, detailing places of historic interest

Saturday 30th – 10.00 am. Meet at the Memorial Park Gates for an 11-mile circular walk to Compton D ando, Woollard, and Lords Wood and back

Saturday 30th – 1.00 pm. Meet at the Memorial Park Gates for a 2-mile circular walk around Stockwood Vale

Sunday 1st October – 10.00am. Meet at the Memorial Park Gates for a 5mile circular walk around Hanham, includes a refreshment stop

This walk supports the BBC Children in Need

Countryfile Ramble – donations in an envelope appreciated

ALL WALKS ARE FREE AND SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AND DOGS UNDER CONTROL

EVERYBODY WELCOME

SUITABLE FOOTWEAR ESSENTIAL – IT COULD BE MUDDY!! FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT DAVE

wrwkeynsham@outlook.com or telephone 07866440968

ONCE again Keynsham Walkers are Welcome are teaming up with the BBC for their Countryfile Ramble in aid of Children in Need.

We meet at the Memorial Park gates at 10am on Sunday October 1 for a five-mile circular walk around Hanham and Hanham Woods, stopping for refreshments at the Lock & Weir.

Children and dogs under control are welcome as we do traverse fields that contain livestock. There is a short section of lane walking.

This is always a wellsupported event and in the past we have raised several thousands of pounds for this worthy cause.

Please bring any donations with you in an envelope to hand to the organisers at the start of the walk

This is part of our mini walking festival which is happening over that weekend – please see our advert here for details of other walks.

A wander in the woodlands n

Tea boost for Poppy Appeal

A CREAM tea afternoon held by Keynsham branch of the Royal British Legion Women’s Section raised £611.23 for the Poppy Appeal.

Members would like to thank residents who attended and also local businesses Tesco for their continued support, Trigaci for the donation of a raffle prize, and Bakers Corner of Kingswood for making the scones.

Branch secretary Betty Dixon said: “Unfortunately, the huge success of the afternoon resulted in us running out of scones, so to the people who came along and were unable to have a cream tea, we apologise.

“However, we do hope this will not deter you from attending next year’s event. Thank you all once again for your support and generosity.”

ANOTHER good turnout of just under 30 walkers - including some new members and some familiar faces that we hadn’t seen for some time - defied the forecast and gathered at the Memorial Park gates for the shorter walk exploring Meadow Woods.

The going underfoot to start with was acceptable, but as we approached our destination the heavens opened and the footpath became slippery.

Several of the walkers got caught out with their choice of footwear, as sturdy heavy-duty walking boots were the order of the day.

Under the circumstances, the shorter of the two routes around the woods was chosen, as torrential rain continued to fall. Because of

the conditions, little flora or fauna was encountered.

As we emerged from the woodlands looking bedraggled, the rain eased, and we continued the rest of the walk back to Keysham in sunnier, drier conditions.

The walk scheduled for Sunday August 20 had to be postponed and will now take place on Sunday September 3, and it will be our long walk for this year.

We have two options:

Option one is to meet at the car park by the Lockkeeper pub at 9.20am for a prompt 9.30am start. This is a 10-mile walk taking in Swineford, Kelston Round Hill, Kelston, stopping at the Bird in Hand at Saltford for refreshments before returning to Keynsham.

Option two is to meet at the Fox

& Hounds car park at 10am to catch the minibus to Swineford, where we meet up with the other walkers to head up Kelston Roundhill, through Kelston and back to The Bird in Hand for refreshments, where our minibus awaits us to take us back to Keynsham. This walk is five miles long.

Both these walks are hilly and stony, and are for the experienced walkers only - heavy walking boots/ shoes are essential. But the scenery and views are superb and well worth the effort.

Don’t forget our walking festival from Friday Sepember 29 to Sunday October 1 – details are in our advert on the opposite page - or on the Keynsham Walkers are Welcome website. Or you can ring Dave on 07866 440968.

Free history

fair

ANYONE interested in family or local history can attend a free event at the British Aerospace Welfare Association (BAWA) Leisure Centre on Southmead Road, Filton, on September 23. The event, from 10am to 4pm, is being hosted by the Bristol & Avon Family History Society (BAFHS).

Family history societies and local history groups will be on hand to offer advice. There will be a talk on historic maps demonstrating the free Know Your Place online system.

For more information, visit www.bafhs.org.uk, Facebook page facebook.com/ bristolandavonfhs or email contact fhfair@onmicrosoft.com

with

Choir boosts good causes

KEYNSHAM Good Afternoon Choir performed with Mencap’s Music Man Project to a packed St John’s Church during Keynsham Music Festival.

This concert and other fundraising events by the Good Afternoon Choir have raised almost £600 for the Bath Mind charity and, as well as £200 for Mencap this year.

More concerts are planned in the run-up to Christmas, including an open Christmas celebration at Keynsham Methodist Church (Victoria Centre) on Wednesday December 13.

Across the West of England, the 24 Good Afternoon Choirs have already raised £14,415 for many local charities.

The Keynsham choir is led by Grenville Jones and meets every Wednesday at Keynsham Methodist Church (Victoria Centre) from 2pm to 4pm.

This is a view of Keynsham that has changed little since it was taken – except for the absence of cars.

The photograph is along Park Road looking north. It was taken from what is today the junction at the bottom of Queens Road. There are few clues to date the picture - some horse droppings, and telephone wires to most

houses - so perhaps the late 1920s or 1930s. However, the view behind the photographer would have been very different. The road was there, but beyond the top of Albert Road would have been Cameroons Farm and open fields. Queens Road and all the development to the west were built in the 1950s.

Following their summer break, the choir resumes its ‘Singing in the Afternoon’ sessions on Wednesday September 6.

Grenville said: “Come along and meet us - no auditions, great melodies, see you there.”

See www.goodafternoonchoir.org for more details.

TWO long-serving members of the Royal British Legion in Keynsham are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Mary and Peter Buck met through mutual friends and married at Bath Register Office on September 7, 1963.

And the couple plan to mark their 60th anniversary with a family meal at the Bird in Hand in Saltford, where they had their wedding breakfast.

The couple are also planning to hold a party at the Royal British Legion in Keynsham.

Their daughter, Kerry Illsley, said both her parents have been standard bearers at Remembrance parades in the past, although her mum had to give it up a few years ago when the standard became too heavy for her. But they remain

Diamond delight for Legion couple

active members of the legion. Peter, 79, worked as a paramedic. He left the ambulance service at the age of 60 but then went on to work for two private ambulance companies, retiring only this year. Mary, 80, used to work for the Post Office. The couple both play for Frys Bowling Club, where Peter has taken over the Wednesday captaincy.

As well as their daughter Kerry and son Colin, the couple have a granddaughter and a greatgrandson.

Share and repair cafe

THE next monthly Saltford Share & Repair Cafe will take place on Saturday September 16.

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 aims to help local people save money and the planet through reduce, repair and reuse.

Organisers will also run a community café selling bacon rolls, other rolls, home-made cakes and Fairtrade tea/coffee.

On your marks!

REGISTRATION for the Saltford Santa Dash is open from September 1.

Entrants can secure their spot for the one-mile event for children, or five kilometres or five miles for young people (12 and over) and adults, at saltfordsantadash.com

The event on Sunday December 3 will raise money for local charities Butterflies Haven and Time is Precious.

‘Efforts made’ to clear site of biogas bid

EFFORTS are being been made to clear the site of a failed bid for a biogas energy plant on the outskirts of Keynsham, campaigners have been told.

Protect Our Keynsham Environment (POKE) has been calling for action since the deadline for removing buildings and equipment passed in March this year.

Bath and North East Somerset Council - which issued the developers with an enforcement notice to clear the site - has updated POKE on the status of the Queen Charlton Quarry site.

A council officer reported that high-value items such as generators and some of the gas infrastructure had been removed and all items had been listed for sale. It was also understood that the land owner was in discussion with the manufacturers of the large tanks regarding taking them back.

Efforts to clear the site had been hampered by heavy rain which had left a large storage building about two metres deep in water.

The officer said: “Whist I understand it is frustrating and disappointing that the land owner has not complied with the enforcement notice within the compliance period, it is clear they now making efforts to comply with the notice.

“There are limited options available to the council due to the complexity of the site, but I point

out that central government and the courts have been very clear in the past that prosecution for the non-compliance with enforcement notices should not be used as a punishment, but as a method to compel compliance.

“It is clear in this case that the land owner is taking steps to comply with the notice, albeit late. However, if progress on complying with the notice stalls, then the council will have to reassess the situation.”

A spokesperson for POKE said: “POKE continues to

work with the council through enforcing the extant enforcement notice which requires the removal of the anaerobic digestion plant buildings and taking further enforcement action to ensure that the site is restored as approved in previous planning permissions.”

The plan for an anaerobic digester facility at the quarry site was submitted by Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited (REAL), but the scheme was refused by B&NES Council planning committee in March last year.

The developer appealed this decision to the Planning Inspectorate but later decided to withdraw its challenge.

POKE led the successful campaign against the scheme, which attracted more than 800 objections from people worried about the increased noise, pollution, smell and lorry traffic it would have generated.

Peter and Mary Buck on their wedding day in 1963 and as now as they look forward to celebrating

Antony Lawrence with nieces Tilly and Flo when they saw him in The Lion King in Korea in 2019

Family so proud of musical star Antony

A KEYNSHAM family are celebrating the success of a hit stage show.

Shrek the Musical stars Antony Lawrence, whose sister and parents live in the town.

And they went along to Bristol Hippodrome recently to see the production during its UK tour.

His sister Kim Tucker said: “We continue to be really proud of Antony. When he first told me about his role as Shrek, I was particularly happy that he was in a role that my children would enjoy watching him in. To see him as the lead role is just amazing!”

She added: “We watched Shrek on Broadway when Antony and I were in New York about 14 years ago, and Antony said then that he would love to play Shrek. So it is now amazing to see him play this role.”

Kim has seen Antony in all of his roles in previous musicals.

“To name a few, I saw him in Matilda on the West End many times and in Mary Poppins at the Bristol Hippodrome. I have travelled the world watching my brother perform as Scar in the international tour of The Lion King.”

Antony had dreamt of a career in musicals from a young age.

Kim said: “After watching Phantom of the Opera in Plymouth as a child, my brother knew that was what he wanted to do.

“We went along to local amateur dramatic groups in Cornwall and then, when we moved to Plymouth, we joined Plymkids, and Antony really began to pursue his dreams.”

So it was a wonderful homecoming for Antony when he opened the Shrek show at Plymouth Theatre Royal.

Kim said: “Myself and our parents went to watch, and it was a very special moment.”

Antony’s mum and dad Jackie and Steve have lived in Keynsham for seven years, while Kim and her family moved to the town a year ago.

Although no other family members have a career in the performing arts, Kim’s daughters Tilly and Flo are keen to follow in their uncle’s footsteps and are members of theatre school Razzmatazz in Keynsham.

Antony Lawrence as Scar in The Lion King, with his parents Steve and Jackie

Hollywood actress Betta dies aged 93

BETTA Grant, known as Betta St John - a Hollywood actress who once had a home in Keynshamhas died at the age of 93.

The California-born star first came to the local area after performing in the hit musical South Pacific.

She and Mary Martin, her costar in the Broadway production, were brought to London in 1951 to launch the show at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.

In the production, her love interest was played by actorsinger Peter Grant, who later introduced her to his family in the Longwell Green area.

Before doing so, he took her to the Old Crown Inn in Kelston before a bit of Dutch courage.

They were later married and set up home together in London.

Betta went on to make over a dozen Hollywood films in the 1950s and early 60s, starring with Cary Grant, Richard Burton, Vincent Price, Deborah Kerr, Victor Mature and many others.

Her films included The Robe

Betta

had a home in Keynsham where she stayed each summer.

and Dream Wife, as well as two Tarzan titles and two horror films, one with Boris Karloff and the other with Christopher Lee. In 1966, she and Peter retired from acting and moved to Compton Dando, while their

three children attended Chandag School in Keynsham.

After Peter died in 1992, Betta based herself in California but kept a flat in Keynsham, where she stayed each summer for the next 27 years. She has many

relatives and good friends in Keynsham and the West Country. Betta is survived by her daughters Deanna and Karen, living in America, and her son, Roger, who lives in Brighton. Her funeral was held in Bath.

St John once

Right, Betta with Richard Burton in The Robe

n BACK TO NATURE

Conkers, acorns and helicopters

Conkers, acorns and helicopters - these tree fruits have been celebrated for hundreds, and maybe even thousands of years! Conkers are the fruit of the Common Horse Chestnut tree, a beautiful large deciduous flowering tree. It was thought to have been introduced to Britain in the late 16th century from Greece and Albania.

The flowers (candles) appear in late spring, white with a yellow blotch that turns red when pollinated. The fruit (conkers) used to be included in horse feed, and was said to make horses’ coats shine. As well as this, the leaf scars are in the shape of a horse-shoe!

During the First World War (and to a lesser extent the second), conkers were ground down as starch to be used in the manufacture of cordite, although they were not very productive. But an inexpensive clothes detergent can be made from them which is eco-friendly.

In my youth, conkers were prized for their resilience to being hit by one’s opponent’s fruit; they were threaded with strong string, and many ruses were practised to ensure that your conker outlasted all-comers, including slow baking or soaking in vinegar. A good, strong arm was always needed too!

I was never very successful but excelled in finding the fruits in their spiny cases underneath the parent trees. These were always a source of wonder if taken to the first-year ‘show and tell’ class at primary school, when the removal of the case by the teacher elicited intakes of breath throughout the class, the newly exposed brown fruits looking so shiny and perfect.

Acorns were eaten by wild boar thousands of years ago, and are still one of their favourite foods (second only to mushrooms). They are the fruit of the English or Common Oak, which is claimed as the national tree of several countries, including Britain. It is native to Europe, Caucasus, Asia Minor and North Africa.

The leaves are shallowly lobed and deciduous, and the fruits (acorns) are cupped in what looks like pixie hats. When the acorns are ripe, they can be used to make caffeine-free coffee, but unsurprisingly it is not as tasty as that made with coffee beans! Apparently, however, acorn flour is good for bread-making.

THIS month sees our annual pond and river dipping events for children on Saturday and Sunday September 23 and 24. Please visit our website for more details and booking - www.keynshamawt.org/whats-on. Pond dipping sessions for the under-7s are fully subscribed, but we are running a list in case of cancellations.

Squirrels seem to love burying acorns (along with hazelnuts and beech mast) in autumn for a supply of food during winter; they aren’t very good at remembering where, so look out for seedlings popping up all around in spring.

I’m convinced that this is the tree’s plan to ensure that it has the chance of a new generation of saplings. Oak trees are host to hundreds of insect species, which in turn support many birds and bats. Mammals (not just squirrels) also benefit from the autumn harvest.

Finally, what tree produces helicopters? This is the Sycamore, a naturalised deciduous British tree originally from Europe and West Asia. The term “helicopter” is based on the movement of the ripe winged seeds. As they leave the tree

You can also find us at Keynsham Cemetery for its Heritage Open Day on Sunday September 17 from 10am to 2pm. Find out more about our group and what gems of nature this wonderful environment holds. It is also a chance to view a selection of moths from a moth trap held the previous night and ponder some of their curious names.

in autumn, they spin through the air, enabling them to land far from the parent tree – always a good idea if a new generation is to be encouraged!

I wonder if this was observed by the designers of the helicopters we know today? Lift is generated by the rotation of the blades, the same way as the Sycamore does it.

If you notice black tar spots on Sycamore leaves, they are due to a clean-air-loving fungus called Rhytisma acerinum, so confirming our belief that Keynsham is a good place to live!

Good luck with finding these trees this autumn - they are all in Keynsham Memorial Park, and their seeds are scattered all around!

Liz Wintle

Acorns and conkers Photos: Liz Wintle

Lockable bike hangars boost for cyclists

A NEW bike hangar in Keynsham is part of a two-year trial to improve travel choices for residents in Bath and North East Somerset.

The facility in Carpenters Lane is one of 20 new hangars – mainly at locations in Bath – that will provide lockable and secure storage for 120 bikes for residents who don’t have access to private cycle parking, such as a shed or garage.

Bath & North East Somerset Council said the colour of the hangars is in keeping with the location, and they will be maintained and operated by Falco on the council’s behalf.

The hangars, which were due to be installed by the end of August, are part of a £193,000 two-year trial, which is funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund awarded by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Bath Clean Air Zone revenue reserve.

Each hangar can store six bikes, with each space costing £42 a year to rent, during the trial period.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, said discussions with residents who took part in a citizens’ panel on active travel revealed that, while bike lanes were needed, it was also important to have safe and secure storage for cycles.

She said: “People will have another chance to request hangars in their area later in the year, when the West of England Combined Authority will be consulting on sites for additional funded hangars.”

Hangars are being installed on The Street in Radstock and at the following locations in Bath: Grove Street, Railway Place, Camden Road, Portland Place, Cleveland Place, Henry Street, Walcot Street, Vane Street, Lansdown Place West, Park Place, Upper Church Street,

Garage Conversions

South Parade, Henrietta Mews, Catharine Place, Archway Street, Pulteney Gardens, Sydney Mews, and Grosvenor Place.

A map of all the locations can be found on the council’s website.

The hangers can be reconfigured by removing one of the stands to allow extra storage space for non-standard bikes used by people with a disability.

Cycle hangars are already being tested in Great Stanhope Street, New King Street and Sydney Buildings. Residents can find out more about the new hangars or rent a space for their bike at www.rentals.falco.co.uk

A survey on proposed sites is due to be launched soon and could include up to 20 more cycle hangars in B&NES.

Boost your career with FREE Skills Bootcamps

The bike hangar in Carpenters Lane

KEYNSHAM AND SALTFORD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Keynsham Market through the centuries

It is exactly one hundred years since Keynsham Livestock Market (on the Bath Road, where Homeavon House now stands) was established in its final form.

It lasted until 1975 and we have described it before on these pages. But this was only the final chapter of the story of traditional markets in the town.

Before personal transport and postal services were commonplace, everything in rural England was either produced locally or obtained from itinerant traders.

The concept of markets, that brought together these traders at a particular place and time, is ancient. Rulers soon realised that this was a valuable activity, so it became regulated and taxed.

The King alone held the right to create statutory markets and fairs. Becoming a “market town” was a valuable asset to a lord of the manor or town, as it carried the right to collect tolls on all goods and animals sold and to take rents from all the stalls.

Religious establishments, such as Keynsham Abbey, were commercial enterprises and they exploited such rights to the full.

Records are scarce, but we know that the right to hold a market at Marshfield, part of the estate of Keynsham Abbey, was granted by the abbot in 1234. There appears to be no record of the date when a market at Keynsham was first granted.

In 1285, the Statute of Winchester banned the holding of markets in church yards, which was commonplace. It is thought that after this, Keynsham’s market, and subsequently the fair, was held on the Barton, close to the modern civic centre.

According to the late Connie Smith, a hut called the “tolbooth” was set apart for the taking of tolls and for settling disputes.

This may well have been on the opposite side of Bath Hill, near to Back Lane. It eventually became a permanent building where the Tolzey Court sat, which may account for the name “Court House” for the building demolished in the 1970s.

Market sites were often marked by the erection of a market cross. Did Keynsham have

one? The answer is quite possibly yes, but there is no trace of it remaining and we don’t know where it was. The most likely site is at or near the top of Bath Hill, as this would fit with other information on the market.

Generally, Keynsham’s market flourished. In the 16th century, it was particularly noted for the sale of malt. The 17th century saw Somerset as a vast granary, producing the grain needed to supply our nearby cities.

Keynsham’s market played a small but significant role here, and the County Bridge served the vital function of facilitating access into Gloucestershire. It also linked to the main road between Bath and Bristol, which at that time, was on the north bank of the Avon.

In the early 18th century, the London Weekly Journal quotes prices reached at Keynsham

market “last Thursday” as: Wheat 5s to 5s 6d, Old beans 4s 0d, New beans 3s 6d, and Malt 4s 0d.

Eventually, it seems that the weekly market dwindled and finally ceased as a result of competition from the one in Bristol. The 20th century revival was only for the livestock side of activity.

As well as its market, the town was granted the right to two fairs a year, but we don’t have space to explore that.

In establishing the weekly market and annual fairs, the abbot unconsciously benefited Keynsham and helped secure its prosperity. The activity associated with these events would have cushioned the economic downturn that must have followed the dissolution of the abbey in 1539.

Richard Dyson

Did Keynsham have a market cross? The one at Queen Charlton, above, has survived Few market toll boards survive – the one on the right is in South Devon Photo: Derek Harper (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Helping the young to learn

CHILDREN from lower-income families are less likely to achieve academically than their better-off peers.

National education charity Action Tutoring works to level the playing field by offering free maths and English tutoring to disadvantaged pupils in Bristol and the surrounding areas. Are you interested in volunteering, getting more involved in your local community, or doing something a little different with your time?

By volunteering as a tutor for

Care firm submits bid for children’s home

PLANS have been submitted to use a house in Keynsham as a children’s care home.

Premier Care Management Ltd wants to use the property, called Shalom, in Dragons Hill Close to accommodate up to four children aged between five and 18.

just one hour a week at a local school, or online, you can give vital academic support to pupils whose families couldn’t otherwise afford it. It’s a fun and rewarding way to spend your time, and no previous teaching or tutoring experience is required.

Action Tutoring provide the training and all the resources; volunteers don’t need to plan lessons or be curriculum experts. You are supported every step of the way. Fill in their short online application form to get startedactiontutoring.org.uk

The company, which provides community and outreach services in the South West, has applied to Bath and North East Somerset Council to permission to change the use of the property.

Currently a six-bedroom house, the care home would have four bedrooms for children and a staff sleep-in room, with the other bedroom converted to a staff room.

The property’s garage would be converted into an activities and meetings room.

The house also contains a kitchen, dining room, lounge, bathroom, and downstairs toilet.

Premier Care Management

says: “The dwelling would operate in a very similar manner to a family home, with staff working on a rota basis.

“There would likely be no more than four members of staff present at one time, with ordinarily two people on site at one time. The children would attend the local schools and facilities.”

The company says the site “represents an opportunity to provide housing to address the needs of young people within the community.”

The planning application has prompted several objections from people concerned about extra traffic, noise, and the impact on the mainly elderly surrounding residents, who might feel “intimidated”.

The deadline for public comments is September 15, with a council decision expected in October. The planning reference is 23/02888/FUL.

New school after merger

THE new academic year sees a new primary school in Keynsham – with a familiar name.

Chandag Primary School has been formed by the merging of Chandag Infant School and Chandag Junior School.

The school’s head teacher is Davina Lucas.

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

Abbey’s past brought to life

VOLUNTEERS who look after the remains of Keynsham Abbey have been bringing its history to light.

Among the recent discoveries of the Keynsham Abbey Working Group is part of medieval floor tile that was found while debris was being cleared from the nave area.

Once the tile was cleaned of mud, it revealed some striking, glazed green-and-white paintwork. Using some medieval tile illustrations, volunteers were able to match the broken tile with other medieval tiles found during archaeological digs.

The clearing of rubble and weeds has also exposed the

nave ‘night steps’, which would have given monks access to the nave area during the hours of darkness.

Another feature that is now more easily visible is a square seat that monks would have used to read and store books.

Volunteers have also been germinating seeds and small plants in the raised bedding areas and borders. These are the same type of flowers known to have existed in the 12th century.

Visitors are welcome at two open days at the site this month. There will be a guided tour, and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.

The open days are on

Saturday September 9 and Saturday September 16 from 2pm to 4pm, with a talk at 2.30pm. No booking is required.

The abbey and the town’s brass mills will be the focus of the Keynsham Pop-up Exhibition at the MakeSpace venue in Temple Street on September 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, from 10am to 5pm.

The event, part of Heritage Open Days, will feature photos, artefacts and a scale model of the abbey. Again, no booking is required.

For more information about the abbey and the work of the volunteers, visit https://www. keynshamabbey.com/

“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 three to 19.”

Pupils, siblings, families, governors, staff and the wider community are invited to a celebration picnic after school on Friday September 8.

Children from the primary school and Wellsway School will provide musical entertainment. Families are invited to bring their own picnic or can buy coffee, cakes and ice creams from local vendors.

SNIPPETS

Scenes from Keynsham life

A hundred and thirty-two miles away from home, on an expedition with other hikers, we climbed the heathery hills and descended into the dry, twiggy woods of Shropshire.

In the valley, we encountered a couple of boonie-hatted walkers who asked where we were from, nodding to the familiar-sounding Birmingham, Liverpool …

“Keynsham,” I added, boldly.

“Ah – Keynsham! K-E-Y-N, S-HA-M!”

The puzzled faces of my companions prompted the disappointed response: “But you’re too young to remember Horace Batchelor.”

So I looked him up. A local promoting the precursor to the National Lottery, he bypassed the BBC ban on advertising via its adversary, Radio Luxembourg – making Keynsham known throughout the British Isles.

Isaac Glynn

A square seat where monks would have read books Replicating the past through flowers

Part of a medieval floor tile has been unearthed The ‘night steps’ that once led to the nave

Help make big choices on travel

Help make big choices on travel

New proposals that could change travel along the A4 in Keynsham and Saltford between Bath and Bristol have been unveiled and people are being urged to have their say. The proposals developed by the West of England Combined Authority in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council, aim to give better options to choose to travel sustainably – whether that’s by bus, bike. walking and for those who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter – wheeling.

New proposals could change travel along the A4 between Three Lamps Junction in Bristol to Windsor Bridge Road in Bath

Nothing has been decided at this early stage and feedback from those travelling, living, and working on or near the route will be essential in helping shape what happens next.

Traffic

Thousands of cars, vans and lorries use the A4 between Bath and Bristol every day. As the main route between the cities, the road often gets clogged up with traffic.

To cut the jams and reduce pollution, one answer is to travel less by car and more by bus, and to cycle or walk for shorter everyday journeys. But for people to travel less by car, they need to be offered better alternatives - like joined-up public transport, faster buses and safer walking and cycling routes.

If these proposals went ahead, they could have a major impact on the future of public transport along the A4.

There could be many positive benefits including:

• Virtually continuous bus lanes* from Saltford to Bristol, better bus stops and an option for a route through Brislington and Totterdown separated from general traffic.

• Better cycling commuting possibilities and connections to other cycle routes, with a completely new way of getting between Bath and Bristol.

• Changes to the Keynsham bypass - which could help to reconnect the two halves of the town - including a new “mobility hub”.

• Improvements for residents with wider pavements, better crossings, and thousands of new bee-friendly plants.

*Or separated from traffic

Nothing

On the website:

www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk

• More than nine miles of new and improved cycle lanes

• At least six miles of new bus lanes

• Thousands of bee-friendly plants.

But there will be downsides. These proposals wouldn’t be good for everyone. There would be trade-offs and compromises, such as traffic displacement and fewer parking spaces.

A six-week consultation is being held from 21 August until 1 October to hear what people think.Feedback will be essential in helping shape what happens next.

Keynsham: Monday 11 September, 3pm Friday 22 September, 12pm

Saltford: Tuesday 19 September, between

is set in stone – all these proposals are at an early stage.

travel between Bath and Bristol travel between Bath and Bristol

What’s proposed at Keynsham?

What’s proposed at Saltford?

Changes to the way the people use the Keynsham bypass could help to reconnect the two halves of the town. For those living in the town, the new proposals could mean that, for the first time, commuting by bicycle to Bristol or Bath would be a real option.

• New bus lanes would be built from Bristol along the Keynsham bypass and towards Saltford.

• One lane in each direction on the Keynsham bypass would be reserved for buses with the speed limit reduced.

• A two way dedicated cycle route would be created along the bypass – shared with pedestrians where there was limited space.

• A “mobility hub” together with a new level pedestrian crossing would be created on Keynsham bypass making it easy to transfer between different types of transport, and providing a new connection between the northern and southern parts of the town.

• This could also have other facilities such as covered bicycle storage, mobile charging points, Wi-Fi and toilets.

• A series of local cycling and walking routes in Keynsham would make it easier for people to connect to a new cycle path on the A4 – these may mean less parking on local roads.

What could this mean?

• Easier to switch between different types of transport.

• Faster and more reliable buses, and better access to express buses.

• Better air quality and less noise on the bypass.

• Much easier and safer cycling.

But:

• Slower journeys for cars, vans and lorries on the bypass.

• Memorial Park might be slightly busier and how people may use the park might change.

• Fewer parking spaces on some local roads.

Short sections of bus lane are proposed in Saltford to prioritise buses in key locations.

• New, continuous two-way cycle path between Keynsham to the centre of Saltford (shared with pedestrians where space is tight) Cyclists would be diverted to join the Bristol and Bath Railway path for journeys towards Bath.

• A series of local cycling and walking routes in Saltford would make it easier for people to connect to a new cycle path on the A4 – these may mean less parking on local roads.

• A new one-way bus lane heading towards Bath between Broadmead roundabout (at the edge of Keynsham) and Saltford with the possibility of some other short stretches being looked at.

• Improved bus stops, wider pavements and crossings would be explored, along with upgrading traffic signals to see if bus and car delays can be reduced.

• There will be no changes to left or right hand turns for cars in Saltford.

What could this mean?

• Safer, easier and more direct options for cyclists and walkers.

• Faster and more reliable buses heading towards Bath and Bristol.

But:

• Fewer car parking spaces on some local roads.

• Some loss of grass verges as they’re replaced with a new cycle path and pavements.

stage. Find out more about the proposals and have your say:

3pm to 8pm at St John’s The Baptist Parish Hall, Keynsham BS31 2BL to 5pm at Keynsham Library, Civic Centre, BS31 1FS. between 2pm to 7pm at Saltford Hall, BS31 3BY, or

Webinar:

Thursday 7 September at 6:308pm. Register your place by visiting www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk

YogaDad – aka Rob Reid – is a Keynsham-based yoga teacher with “adorable, albeit often mischievous twin boys that keep me on my toes”. Here is an uplifting excerpt from his blog, which can be found on his website - https://yogadad.co.uk

The shape of happiness

ONone of my YogaDaddy days with the YogaTwins over the summer holidays, we set ourselves a challenge to see how many hearts we could see as we went about our day.

Within an instant of us walking from YogaDad HQ, the boys found a beautiful heart-shaped petal.

That set the ball rolling for us spotting hearts anywhere and everywhere … heart-shaped clouds in the park, a heart scrawled on a litter bin, heart-shaped grass cuttings, love hearts etched into a

tree trunk - the list goes on.

The YogaTwins loved it, and I loved it, too. It wasn’t like we obsessed over finding hearts all day. In fact, most often they appeared when we least expected it – like the last one we saw in the Salt & Malt car park at Chew Valley Lake

This was as much about re-programming our brains to press pause for a moment and look for the beauty all around us and the heart-shaped goodness it brings.

Open Morning and Evenings at Wellsway School

Year 6 - Thursday 21st September - Tours from 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Year 6 - Tuesday 26th September - Tours from 9.15am - 10.45am

We are delighted to confirm our two open morning dates; we are offering tours to students and families who are interested in joining Wellsway School in September 2024. Visitors always comment on the purposeful, caring and happy ethos of the school, so what better way for you to find out about our vision and values then to come and experience them for yourselves? For those parents/carers who are unable to attend, there will be an additional Year 6 Open Evening in September. The morning will provide an opportunity to see the school in action; to visit curriculum areas and discuss the Wellsway School experience with students and staff. Please be advised that the morning will finish at 10.45am, the last tour will depart at 10.20am. Our staff and students are the biggest advocate to our school and I am sure when you visit, you will see why we believe Wellsway School is a unique community.

Sixth Form Open Evening

Thursday 5th October, between 6.00pm - 8.00pm

We are delighted to invite key stage 4 students to our Sixth form open evening. On the 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. This will be followed up by our Open Morning for external applicants, on Wednesday 18th October 2023, between 9.05am - 10.45am.

Those with power to make change must work together to solve childcare crisis

A KEYNSHAM mum says that those with the power to solve the town’s childcare shortage should work together more productively to do so.

Rhiannon Woods was one of three mums who met local MP Jacob Rees-Mogg to ask what he could do to alleviate a crisis that is causing anxiety for families and stopping mums from going back to work.

Sir Jacob has been making representations on local mums’ behalf to Bath and North East Somerset Council, which is responsible for ensuring there is enough early-years childcare provision in the area.

B&NES Council has, in turn, been updating Sir Jacob on its efforts to support potential providers in creating more nursery places.

The Tory MP has suggested that his ability to intervene is limited, while B&NES has pointed out that central government policy dictates that nursery places should only be provided by commercial operators.

Meanwhile, Keynsham has an increasing number of young children needing childcare, thanks to a rising birth-rate and the lost of two nurseries in recent years.

Rhiannon says she is frustrated by what she sees as a lack of co-operation between Sir Jacob and B&NES Council.

She told the Voice: “I can’t understand why they cannot work together for a common cause.

“There needs to be a purposeful working relationship between Jacob and his team, and B&NES, to find a solution to the crisis, rather than leaving it to desperate parents who are so limited by the options available to them.”

Rhiannon also questioned Ofsted’s policy of immediately closing nurseries when safeguarding concerns are raised – something that does not happen with schools.

“Given that Ofsted is a government organisation, Jacob has the ability to influence policy here. We need to ensure that

there are contingency plans in place to oversee the running of these provisions rather than result in an immediate closure.

“If a school is placed into special measures, there are support plans which ensure close monitoring to ensure it makes rapid improvements. Why was this not the case with these nurseries?

“I fully understand that safeguarding is the most important factor in running any childcare provision, but an immediate closure without a viable alternative for all affected families is quite frankly becoming untenable.”

Rhiannon – along with fellow mums Helen Philpott and Carla Brain – told Sir Jacob that some people have tried to be part of the solution by setting up nurseries and childminding services themselves but face too many barriers to make it worth pursuing.

They also told him of the strain the crisis is putting on the

mental health of mothers during their maternity leave.

Rhiannon said: “Many are spending so much time trying to find childcare solutions that they’re often unable to enjoy the incredibly important time raising their little ones in the early months.”

She said the statutory maternity pay of nine months is too short, forcing mums to go back to work before they feel comfortable to do so.

“I am one of these mothers, having had to return to work at eight months and handing the baton of responsibility to other care-givers.

“I have also been exclusively breastfeeding my son, and at eight months he was not yet able to be sustained on the small meals he’s having twice a day. I have been put in a situation where, against my intentions, I’ve had to introduce formulafeeding before I wanted to.”

Rhiannon added that families who have to pay someone else to care for their children also miss vital developmental milestones.

“The double-edged sword is that many are unable to find any provision anyway in Keynsham, therefore in some cases are unable to return to work, and not being paid in the meantime.

“We are facing a situation where UK parents are facing among the highest costs in the

world, but even for families now on middle incomes, it is not worth taking on the challenge of returning to work.”

She added: “We discussed the Conservatives’ promise to expand free childcare provision. However, the delay in the introduction of this until 20242025, and then only for twoyear-olds in England, means we would not benefit anyway.

“I feel I am being put in a position where I can neither excel at being a mum, nor a professional, given that the support just is not there.”

Rhiannon described Sir Jacob’s response as “empathetic but unspecific”.

She added: “I feel Jacob’s responses lacked a solutionfocused approach to the situation.”

Rhiannon is a science teacher in a secondary school. She originally registered her son Matt for a nursery place in August 2022 while still pregnant. She has been offered a place for three days a week, but that won’t start until September next year at the earliest.

Rhiannon’s parents and inlaws have offered to help a few days a week in the meantime, but the situation has forced her to go part-time from this month.

She and her husband John, an accountant, did consider setting up their own nursery but Rhiannon said she lacked the required experience in earlyyears education to become a nursery manager herself.

Sir Jacob has previously stated: “The role of an MP is to hold public bodies to account on behalf of their constituents, and this is what I seek to do as far as I am able.

“Unfortunately, childcare shortages is a national problem, with the Government and local authorities seeking to work together to encourage people to seek employment within the childcare sector to address a staffing shortage which is currently affecting provision.”

l For previous articles in our series about the local childcare crisis, visit our website at https://keynshamvoice.co.uk/

Rhiannon says desperate parents should not be left to find answers

Rhiannon Woods and her husband John with their son Matt

The Voice front page in June

The Indian Summer

Mohinder the mathematician

At sums was a bit of a hummer.

Throughout the whole of the Punjab He was known as the Indian Summer.

He always ONEted to play with mathematics; At other things he was a bummer. So he added, divided, subtracted and squared, Did Mohinder the Indian Summer.

He was TWO busy punching his little machine (As rhythmically as any drummer)

That he didn’t have time for anything else, Not Mohinder the Indian Summer.

His THREE brothers learned to play the sitar, And each was an excellent strummer. But Mohinder played with his slide rule All Indian winter and summer.

FOUR he was a genius with figures, Made everyone else seem much dumber. Calculus, algebra – easy as pi

To Mohinder the Indian Summer.

He surFIVEd on a diet of hundreds and thousands, Brought to him by his dear mum. ‘Er Son would eat them with curry and rice. Would Mohinder the Indian Summer.

He never got SIX sitting at his machine, In fact he got fitter and plummer. For exercise he would use paper and ink, Would Mohinder the Indian Summer.

So let’ SEVEN acclaim to this amazing man, The man who could beat any comer. He could do his sums faster, and get them right. Could Mohinder the Indian Summer.

George Liddell

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

POETRY CORNER

Sunshine and Showers

The last summer blooms of beautiful flowers May suffer with September showers.

But when the sun shines on them all You’ll find them standing proud and tall.

Our lives can resemble rain and sun, Sometimes we find life is not much fun. Times can be tough, but what can we do?

Just like the flowers, we need the sun too.

But when the sun replaces rain

We’ll feel our spirits lift again.

Skies turning blue, the clouds roll away, Warmth will surround us, brightening our day.

For life is a mixture of good and bad, Times when we’re happy, times when we’re sad. But always be sure, every low time will end When thankful prayers to God we send.

Sylvia Kirby

Auction set to make a splash

AS September starts, Scouting in Keynsham look towards their annual auction, which this year is on Saturday September 30. Once again it promises to bring the community the biggest fun auction, book sale and toy sale event of the year.

All the items are donated from the community. It’s your chance to clear out a loft, garage, or cupboards, and help us to raise substantial funds for the Scout group, while at the same time giving local people a chance to buy items at great prices. You could also say we are recycling.

So how is the money raised used? All the equipment and opportunities you may have read about in the last 12 months in Keynsham Voice are thanks to these funds. In July and August, our young people have been camping, climbing, caving, canoeing, cooking and rafting, and all the core equipment provided comes from the auction funds.

Our Explorer Unit KESU have just completed an expedition to Switzerland. Thirty Explorers and leaders travelled hundreds of miles, carrying everything.

As one young Explorer commented: “I have just been on a life-changing adventure. We went on planes, trains, buses, trams, boats and even rubber rafts.”

On auction day, KESU will be providing the refreshments, so pop in for a coffee, a cake or a bacon roll, and find out more about what they do.

In July over 80 Scouts and leaders enjoyed an action-packed Scout summer camp week in South Wales. There was so much equipment that a larger mode of transport was required

this year - thank you so much to IJ McGill Transport Ltd for providing the transport.

Again, adventure and life skills was the theme. Hiking without adults, following a river in a canoe or taking part in a cooking competition were just some of the activities, all topped off by high ropes and rafting.

As you can see, the Scout auction means so much, so please visit our website to see how to donate items and for details for the day. In the meantime, put the date in your diary. And for those new to Keynsham, pop along – we are sure you will be surprised.

Keynsham Scouting provides many fabulous opportunities for our young people, and it is seeking adult volunteers to manage and make things happen. If you have time and would like to learn more about volunteering, email scouts@1stkeynshamscouts.org.uk and let’s chat.

‘Passengers want to keep ticket office’

LABOUR councillors and local party members visited Keynsham Railway Station to make people aware of the proposed closure of the station’s ticket office.

Under the proposals, Great Western Railway (GWR) plans to move the single member of staff from selling tickets to trying to work on both platforms, where GWR says they would be better placed to help customers and provide travel advice.

Hundreds of ticket offices across the country face closure on the grounds that more passengers than ever are buying their tickets digitally.

But local Labour councillor Martin Burton said: “We had an overwhelming response from the railway users of the station who do not want to see the ticket office closed.

“All the people we spoke to value the advice provided by the ticket office staff on the various ticket options, the best way to reach their destination and the ability to easily pay by cash or

card. Even those who use the online ticketing service were strongly opposed to the move, as it would impact on the most vulnerable people in our society, including older and disabled passengers.

“Over 5,500 tickets are sold per year with 10% being paid in cash from the ticket office.

“Passengers also expressed concern for the safety of the member of staff having to work across platforms and

ADVERTISING FEATURE

show people who struggle with technology how to use the ticketing machine – when it’s working. They felt that the closure would mean that many people will cease to use railways, which would lead to a further decline of the rail network.”

The public consultation on the proposals was due to end on September 1.

As reported in last month’s Voice, Metro Mayor Dan Norris said the proposed closure of

Keynsham’s ticket office - which is open 6.45am to 9am Monday to Friday - was “particularly pointless” because a railway worker would be on duty for exactly the same hours but would not be allowed to sell tickets.

Mr Norris added: “I think there’s a bit of a vested interest in getting people to get more expensive tickets. I can’t help feeling that removing the most obvious way of getting less costly fares is not an accident.”

Winter

Festival will fill our town with festive magic

MARK your calendars, as Keynsham Town Council has set the date for the 2023 Winter Festival.

On Friday November 24, Keynsham High Street, Temple Street and Market Walk will come alive with festive cheer as we turn on the Christmas lights and officially kick off the festive season. Festival favourites such as traditional market stalls, street entertainers, food vendors and the funfair will be back for the event, which runs from 6pm to 9pm.

“Keynsham Town Council love to put on the Winter Festival for the community because it’s such a well-loved and well-attended event,” said Katherine Sears, deputy town clerk and lead organiser of the festival.

“We know people want to revisit old favourites, but each year we also like to add a little new Christmas magic. There are big plans for some new activities, which we are confident will be a hit with Winter Festival goers, so keep your eyes peeled for more details.”

A highlight of the festival is the

procession along the High Street to turn on the Christmas lights. Like last year, it will feature decorative lanterns made by local children who then get the opportunity to join in the procession. Workshop dates for lantern-making will be released soon, so keep an eye on the Keynsham Town Council Facebook and Instagram pages on how to sign up.

In the run-up to the festival, the town council is also organising its first Christmas Jumper Swap, Instead of throwing out that onceworn jumper, people are being encouraged to swap it for another.

There will be ‘swap days’ at the Somerset Farmers Market on November 11 and throughout the Keynsham Re-loved Fashion Show on Sunday October 22.

For more information on the festival or Christmas Jumper Swap, visit the Keynsham Town Council Facebook or Instagram Pages, or contact Katherine Sears, deputy town clerk, on 0117 9868683 or email deputytownclerk@keynshamtc.gov.uk

KEYNSHAM IN BLOOM

15 years - and we’re still growing strong!

SOUTH West In Bloom judged Keynsham on July 25 and we now await the result in October. The comments were very favourable, so fingers crossed for another gold, but we wait with bated breath.

After the judging, a lunch for 35 people, including councillor Hal MacFie, our judges Rod Pooley and Tim Ely, as well as entrants and volunteers, was held at Scout headquarters. The menu included an anniversary cake to celebrate 15 years of Keynsham In Bloom.

As mentioned in my previous article, our Keynsham In Bloom mosaic will be installed in the Pocket Park and a date will be advised shortly. Thank you once again to IJ McGill Transport for your sponsorship. l must also thank the ladies and gentlemen who live in the Abbeyfield retirement complex for their beautiful mosaic celebrating our 15 years.

Our railway station has been entered into a GWR competition, and we are waiting for the results.

Work in the Pocket Park progresses well with weeding and dead-heading to prolong

the flowering season, and we are starting to slice up herbaceous perennials to move elsewhere.

The alpine tubs outside Holmoak shops are still going strong, and the Queen’s Road containers, which have been planted with alpines and succulents, will soon spread to fill their area.

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

The Chandag Road containers are looking healthy, as is the Crown flowerbed in the Memorial Park near the children’s play area.

Our three tubs in the High Street are struggling a little so we will be discussing the next step forward at our autumn meeting.

The three-tier planter outside of the Methodist Church is so

Birthday Bus passengers enjoy the benefits

OVER the Summer, I’ve been meeting some of the first ‘Birthday Bus’ passengers - West of England residents enjoying free bus travel throughout the month of their Birthday.

You can sign up too at www.birthdaybus. co.uk.

I have to say, people are really buying into the benefits of this scheme.

People like Helen, who works in a chocolate shop. I got chatting to her a few weeks ago and she told me she’s been using her Birthday Bus pass to travel to work when she’d usually take the car.

She said it’s given her a reason to leave her car at home and try the bus, and she’s really loved helping the planet.

Or people like Pauline, who told me Birthday Buses was a really good way to help ease a bit of financial stress during this frightening cost-ofliving crisis.

The verdict is clear, so for those who haven’t already done so, please do apply for your free month of birthday travel at www.birthdaybus. co.uk today, and tell your friends and family too. There’s nothing to lose and lots to gain!

When I was coming up with the idea for Birthday Buses, I knew we needed a plan that

ticked lots of boxes. There are so many crises at the moment, with the cost-of-living crisis and the environmental emergency always at the forefront of my thinking.

Birthday Buses ticks that cost-of-living box, with a whole month of bus travel for free. That’s one twelfth off your annual transport bills.

It’s also about tackling the climate emergency. A huge 44% of our carbon emissions currently come from transport, with fewer than one in ten regional commutes made on public transport. Shockingly, there are 300 preventable premature deaths due to air pollution every year. That’s why we need new ideas to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport.

Like many regions, our buses are struggling to match pre-pandemic performance. While most people who used to use buses are doing so again, they are travelling less.

Delve in and this makes sense. It reflects changing demand, as working from home practices displace commuting patterns and many face-to-face meetings, like GP appointments, move online. But with people making fewer journeys, there is less fare income coming in. That means cuts, and a downward spiral.

colourful, and thank you Linda and the Girls Brigade for watering and taking care of the plants - great job.

Our volunteers have also been working on the triangular flowerbed in the High Street and, although not part of Keynsham In Bloom, we feel it is somewhat neglected and needs some TLC.

The next session is at 10am on Saturday September 9, so bring a fork and gloves and, if you can spare a little time, we can complete phase one of this important area of Keynsham.

If you feel like joining KIB volunteers, email catherinemarywoodman@ gmail.com, Dawn Drury at keynshaminbloom@icloud.com, or visit Keynsham Town Council in Temple Street.

Phase two of the triangle flowerbed is more compost and the hardy geraniums, verbenas and wild flowers for our pollinators. Phase three will be a wellmaintained area to lift the hearts of Keynsham folk.

Keep well, safe and happy gardening.

Mary Woodman

Other places have tried free travel for a day or a week, but this is a whole month. Why? Because if you try our buses, I think you might like them - maybe even love them. And after a whole month, you might never look back.

We have to try something new.

Just throwing taxpayers money at subsidising buses isn’t sustainable. You spend the money and it runs out. And then you need more.

Instead, I’m determined that we invest to encourage new passengers to use our buses. It is the only long-term solution to grow a thriving bus network.

So to Helen, Pauline and especially to you: many happy returns - and singles!

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

Volunteers on Keynsham High Street. Inset, the 15th anniversary cake

Help us keep paths open

SALTFORD’s annual footpath donation appeal needs to raise £3,000 to keep over 4.5 kilometres of permissive paths open for another year.

About half has already been raised through donations and the rest needs to be raised by the end of October – otherwise the paths will close to the public.

A permissive path is not a public right of way - it is a path clearly signed that a landowner allows the public to use it.

Organisers say: “We know very many of you continue to enjoy your daily walks. We are therefore sure that many of you will this year be happy to once again make a donation to keep these paths open for casual walkers, dog walkers, runners and horse riders.”

Those wishing to donate can pick up a donation envelope from Saltford Hall or visit the Saltford Community Association website at https://saltfordhall. co.uk/permiss.html

Kevin Durrant Minister of Keynsham Baptist Church

Bombarded, as we are, with grim economic statistics and many distressing images of wildfires, floods and violence, it’s hard to hold onto hope these days.

Unlike previous generations, whose belief in human progress allowed them to imagine a steadily improving future, often the best we can hope for is that things don’t get any worse.

Such an attitude can eat away at our passion for life. Faced with rising bills, it’s enough just to survive another week. To hope for more can seem futile.

In the light of this struggle for hope, I find it interesting that the poet Emily Dickinson likened hope to a bird that never stops singing despite the weather.

“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers,” she wrote, “that perches in the soul.”

We know from our own experience that birds can be heralds of hope because we hear them singing their dawn chorus in the early hours while it is still dark. They encourage us to look forward to the coming day.

Something similar is described in the opening

chapter of the Bible, where the Spirit of God hovers bird-like over the dark, chaotic waters, ready to create light and life. So, maybe the bird image can be helpful to us in the dark times we face. As well as helping us to believe that there is light at the end of the night/ tunnel, birds help us to see how apparent weakness can hide an inner strength.

They may be “frail, gaunt, and small, in blastberuffled plume” (to quote Thomas Hardy’s The Darkling Thrush) as they compete with the greater noise of gales and traffic, but birds still continue to sing and bring encouragement.

And we may think that our own efforts to create a better future are small in comparison with the huge challenges of climate change, poverty and injustice.

But if our hope is “the thing with feathers,” then by doing what we can, however small it might seem (picking up litter, donating to the food bank, writing to our MP, planting trees etc), we will find ourselves, despite the darkness, joining with others in singing our own dawn chorus.

Birds can be heralds of hope because we hear them singing their dawn chorus in the early hours. They encourage us to look forward to the coming day.

METHODIST CHURCH

Church to open its doors for a glimpse of the past

Whilst the Methodist Church may not have been part of the landscape of this country as long as either the Anglican or Catholic Churches, it nevertheless has a varied and interesting history. You can learn about this by visiting Victoria Methodist Church in Keynsham High Street, as it is part of the Keynsham Heritage Trail this month.

Visit this wonderful old Wesleyan church built in 1887 with original features still on show – a beautiful stained glass window, and original coloured glass designs on all the other mullioned windows designed with cathedral glass.

The “new” organ was installed a few years after the church was built and each morning at 11am our organist will be playing this wonderful pipe organ for your pleasure.

Visit the church gallery and learn what it is like to sit on the original hard wooden pews designed to ensure you did not fall

asleep during lengthy sermons!

The screen will provide photos of the church’s production Down Memory Lane, which celebrated the church’s 125th anniversary, and there will be other archive photographs to view. We also have some octogenarian and nonagenarian members who will happily talk to you about their years in this church and their involvement in its journey of vision and dreams through the years.

So please pay us a visit - we will be open between 10am and 12 noon on Monday September 11, Wednesday September 13 and Thursday September 14.

On the Thursday at 11am, our Shoppers’ Service will recall our history with reflections of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and include hymns written by John and his brother Charles.

You will be given a warm welcome and you may learn something of Keynsham’s history.

Mike Barrow

St Augustine’s and Temple House to come together to deliver patient care.

17/08/2023

Dear patients,

We have some news to share with you. Following lengthy discussions, Temple House Surgery in Keynsham plans to join up with nearby St Augustine’s Medical Practice.

Both practices have a history of working together and we believe this move helps to make our practices more sustainable, more accessible and fit for the future.

Importantly, the acquisition by St Augustine’s will ensure that services for patients can continue from existing sites in both Keynsham and Saltford, as well as at Temple House Surgery’s current location within Keynsham Health Centre, and that all existing staff will remain. This will ensure we continue to provide great care and increase our resilience within our existing medical facilities, which will create a stronger base for patients.

At this time, patients at both practices should continue to contact their surgery in the usual way and attend all appointments as normal. Any potential changes to the way in which care is provided will be shared with patients directly at the earliest opportunity.

We plan to set up a consultation meeting with patients in the not-too-distant future and will post details on our Facebook page and websites.

Your support matters and we are excited to continue to deliver patient-focused services for the Keynsham area.

Thank you.

The Partners at St Augustine’s & Temple House

n WHAT'S ON

Tuesday September 5

n Bath NATS members evening, short talks by members, 7.30pm, BRSLI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath.

Saturday September 9

n RUH Bath Cancer Care - new robotic surgery appeal & Cancer Research UK fundraising event, 10am-4pm, Parish Hall, next to St John’s Church, Keynsham. Crafts including hand-made gifts, cards, jewellery, cushions, chocolate and fudge. Also, plants, books and refreshments. At noon & 2pm “a Thoughtful Thankful Moment” will be held for those who have died, for treatment and extra time given.

Sunday September 17

n Flea market at Saltford Hall, 10am-1pm, to raise funds for Saltford Community Association. Over 40 stalls selling household items, garage and attic clearance, collectables, crafts and toys etc. Cafe will be open selling its popular bacon butties. For more information or to reserve a table, phone Angela on 0117 983 1314.

Monday September 18

n Timsbury NATS, talk by Andy Daw ‘Butterflies in the Dolomites/ Alps/Bulgaria’, 7.30pm, Conygre Hall. Visitors welcome, £3, under-16 accompanied by an adult free.

Saturday September 30

n Keynsham Concerts. Electric quartet Stringfever live at The Space, Keynsham, September 30. Tickets available at https:// www.tickettailor.com/events/ keynshamconcerts1/980328 or please contact Simon on 07901613086 /Leonora 07973802739.

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, 11am-12pm, upstairs balcony at Keynsham Library. Bring two or three poems, own or another poet’s, to share. https:// asppoetrycircle.wordpress.com/

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS

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

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.

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

n Walking Tennis coached sessions at Saltford Tennis Club. 10am open for all abilities and 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.

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

n WHAT'S ON

Saturday (same as Keynsham 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.

Playtime for dads and tots

THE popular Saturday morning toddler group for dads, grandads and father figures has restarted in Keynsham.

The free Who Let the Dads Out sessions will take place on the first Saturday of the month at St Francis Church Centre, Warwick Road, starting on September 1, and the third Saturday of the month at St John’s Church Hall from September 15.

During the morning, there is equipment for the children to play on, plus drinks and bacon rolls for the dads while they play with their children.

Organiser Robin Kelly said: “Dads can lose out in playing with their children as they grow up so this is a great opportunity to spend quality time with their children and meet other dads.”

For more details, contact Keynsham parish office - 0117 9863354, email keynshamwltdo@yahoo.co.uk

Having a real good time!

MUSIC fans flocked to Keynsham Fake Festival to hear top tribute bands pay homage to their heroes.

Despite heavy rain and blustery winds, visitors to the event at Keynsham Rugby Club’s ground got into the festival spirit in style.

The line-up of six bands paid tribute to U2, Bon Jovi, Kasabian, Guns n Roses, Green Day and The Killers in a huge marquee, while there were stalls and other entrainment outside.

l Photos by Andie Barlow

Sustainable fashion show

A NEW community event that breathes new life into pre-loved items and celebrates the best of sustainable living will be staged in Keynsham next month.

Created through a partnership between Keynsham Eco Festival, Keynsham Town Council and Keynsham Cultural Programme, Keynsham Re-loved will demonstrate the value in looking at fashion, homeware and lifestyle items in a different and more sustainable way.

The event takes place at the Fear Hall on Sunday October 22 from 11am to 4pm.

Working with some local charity shops, Keynsham Re-loved’s main feature will be a High Street fashion show at 12pm and 2pm featuring different themes like festival wear, winter warmers and party wear.

More details will be revealed in due course on Keynsham Eco Festival’s Facebook page as well as Keynsham Town Council’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Gold for slimming expert Kelly

A WEIGHT-loss expert from Keynsham has struck gold for her exceptional work in helping hundreds of people to lose weight.

Kelly, who runs the weekly Keynsham Slimming World groups, has been awarded ‘Gold’ status by the national slimming club because of her success in supporting slimmers to reach their dream weight.

The accolade is given to Slimming World consultants who consistently have 100 or more members in their group over several months. They come back week after week because they’re losing weight beautifully and wouldn’t miss their weekly group for anything.

It represents the highest level of service in slimming and makes Kelly one of the most successful of Slimming World’s consultants, meaning Keynsham is home to some of the best slimming support in the UK.

Kelly receives her ‘Gold’ award from Margaret Miles-Bramwell, Slimming World’s founder

Kelly says: “I am delighted to have received the ‘Gold’ award. I absolutely love my job. I’m passionate about helping people

nMESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Together we can make policing better

I HAVE launched a campaign called Together We Can… to raise awareness of the work being done by my office to improve, change and challenge policing.

Together We Can… is a call to action for residents to get involved in policing to ensure our communities are safe.

The campaign is also an opportunity to highlight how the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) continues to work for local people.

My Police and Crime Plan, launched in 2021, includes four priorities – preventing and fighting crime; engaging and supporting communities and victims; leading the police to be efficient and effective; and increasing confidence in the criminal justice system.

Many people are not aware of the work that the OPCC carries out and, crucially, when they can turn to us for support to address issues or concerns they have with policing.

We work hard to tackle so many varied issues that may affect all our lives at some point – from violence against women and girls and racial disproportionality to fraud and anti-social behaviour.

My job is to hold Avon and Somerset Police’s chief constable to account and to keep striving for policing that serves everyone equally, so we all feel safe and supported in everyday life.

For more information about Together We Can… and my police and crime priorities visit the OPCC website, www.avonandsomersetpcc.gov.uk.

I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight the recently-opened preventing victims fund. The fund is an opportunity for any Avon and Somerset-based group that already provides services to victims of crime to apply for a grant of up to £20,000.

The Preventing Victims Fund is being delivered in partnership between the OPCC, Somerset

Community Foundation and the Quartet Community Foundation.

The fund aims to complement groups providing services to victims of crime, enabling them to explore different approaches that could prevent people from becoming victims in the first place. This prevention focus is one of the Police and Crime Plan key priorities.

Finally, I urge local people to remain vigilant over an emerging scam involving fake emails purporting to be from mortgage lenders.

It has come to my attention that Action Fraud received 538 reports in just a two-week period relating to these emails that claim to offer limited-time deals to low-rate mortgages.

Heartless criminals are taking advantage of people’s concerns relating to mortgages to lure them into phishing scams. The websites set up by criminals disguise themselves as a trustworthy source in order to steal personal and financial data for their own gain.

to transform their lives by losing weight, and seeing them succeed is reward enough, but being given this recognition for the whole group really is the icing on the cake.

“This award belongs to the Keynsham group members. They’re the ones who make our group the success that it is, with their fabulous commitment, the wonderful support they give each other every week, and, above all, their impressive weight losses while following Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan.

“They make the group a fun, buzzy place to be, and I can safely say I always look forward to going to work. I truly believe I have the best job in the world.”

Together, members of Kelly’s group have achieved incredible success this year, including TV and radio appearances.

To join the Keynsham group, which is held every Thursday at Keynsham Baptist Church at 7.30am, 9am,10.45am, 5.30pm and 7pm, either pop along or give Kelly a call on 07795 951137.

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark

Shelford

We need to let as many people know that such scams are circulating, to ensure we prevent people from falling victim.

Remember if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have doubts about an email or message, contact the organisation directly before sharing any personal or financial information. Do not use the numbers or addresses in the email – use the details from their official website.

NO ONWARD SALES CHAIN

An extremely well-presented three-bedroom link detached bungalow situated in a quiet culde-sac location. This lovely bungalow benefits from an extension to the front giving extra space in the three bedrooms, uPVC double glazing, gas-fired central heating, an integral garage with small workshop, and driveway, along with a low maintenance south westerly facing rear garden. An internal inspection is highly recommended.

STORAGE / SELF STORE

STORAGE

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.

REMOVALS

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

KEYNSHAM - £1,100,000 - (OIRO)

An impressive Edwardian 5 bedroom detached property with separate annex, double garage and ample off street parking. **Period Property**

Saltford: 01225 360360

Keynsham: 0117 904 9000

KEYNSHAM - £525,000 - (Offers Over)

A recently renovated 4 bedroom dorma bungalow with enclosed rear garden.

**No Onward Chain**

KEYNSHAM - £600,000 - (Offers Over)

An extremely well presented 4 bedroom semi detached period property boasting an abundance of original features. **Viewing Advised**

KEYNSHAM - £600,000 - (OIRO)

A well presented substantial bay fronted 5 bedroom semi-detached property situated within easy walking distance of local amenities and Wellsway School.

**South Facing Garden**

KEYNSHAM - £360,000 - (OIRO)

A well presented 3 bedroom townhouse located within easy walking distance of Keynsham High Street.

**No Onward Chain**

KEYNSHAM - £350,000 - (OIRO)

A Frys built 3 bed semi detached situated in a popular residential location. Easy walking distance to Keynsham Train Station and High Street with local amenities. No onward sales chain.**Requires Modernisation**

Relegated, but team fought to the last

AFTER a promising start to the season which saw Fry’s win their first three matches, a run of unfortunate player absences and some close losses saw Fry’s dip into the relegation zone.

Going into the last match of the season against top-of-thetable Cotham Park, Fry’s knew they needed an unlikely big win to stand any chance of staying up.

Mark Long and Julian Hellyer started things off against the Cotham first pair, in a high-quality match that could have gone either way. The first two sets were split before a very close third-set tie break went the way of the Cotham pair, resulting in a 5-7, 7-5, 6-7 loss.

Kerry Grace and Mark Lapham had almost identical match against the Cotham second pair, losing 7-5, 5-7, 6-7 in another quality affair, frustratingly not being able to take several match points.

In another close match, Mark and Julian edged out the second pair 7-5 7-6, before Mark and Kerry lost 6-2 6-2 to the first pair.

An overall eight points to two loss meant relegation was

confirmed. Whilst disappointed not to take our chances and secure a win, the team can be very pleased with the manner of their performance in our final match. Following several match cancellations, Fry’s II were pleased to be able to play their final match of the season against Greville Smyth in Division 9 and also had an entertaining match.

Dave Howell and Adrian Wilson lost their first match 6-4 6-3 against a very strong pair. However, a strong performance in their second match saw them secure a 6-1 6-4 win.

Rich and Ted Conway put up a good performance, winning 6-4 6-3 against the second pair before suffering a 6-1 6-1 defeat in their second match. Particularly

well done to young Ted Conway in securing his first league win. An overall six point to four defeat but, as with the first team, a good performance to end the season on. Attention will now turn to the club tournament, with the finals day being held in September. For anyone interested in joining Fry’s Tennis Club, please contact Tony Dicker at ard@tonydicker.co.uk.

First team (left to right) Kerry Grace, Mark Lapham, Julian Hellyer and Mark Long

Second team (left to right) Dave Howell, Adrian Wilson, Ted Conway and Rich Conway

Improved performances help secure final spot

AN improved month saw Fry’s beat Keynsham 55-51 in the Triples League Cup semi-final. They now progress to the final on September 15.

Friday Triples League:

Fry’s got their first Triples League win since May with the visit of Victoria Park. Both teams won a rink comfortably, but Fry’s took a single-shot win on the third, taking 10 points from the 50-47 win. Fry’s then won all three rinks against Bristol Greenbank in a 81-42 win, taking all 12 points.

Another dominating performance, against Bristol, saw Fry’s take all 12 points once again.

The good run continued at home against Begbrook Green, but this was a much closer encounter. With honours shared on the first rink, Fry’s won the third rink by 5 shots, while Begbrook took the second rink by just 2 shots, seeing Fry’s take 9 points as the season heads into the final few games.

July 21: Fry’s 50-47 Victoria Park: Rink 1, 10-19; Rink 2, 24-13; Rink 3, 16-15 (10-2)

July 28: Fry’s 81-42 Bristol Greenbank: Rink 1, 28-11; Rink 2, 26-16; Rink 3, 27-15 (12-0)

August 4: Fry’s 71-33 Bristol: Rink 1, 28-12; Rink

2, 18-10, Rink 3, 25-11 (12-0)

August 11: Frys 50-47 Begbrook Green: Rink 1, 19-19; Rink 2, 11-13; Rink 3, 20-15 (9-3)

Bristol and District League: Fry’s welcomed bottom club Imperial, who put up more fight than in previous matches at Somerdale. But Fry’s still achieved a comfortable 59-34 win and took all 10 points.

A trip to Bradley Stoke saw Fry’s dominate on rink 3, while rink 2 struggled and fell away. With the match secure, Fry’s went into the rink 1 final end 4 shots up, but a poor end left them in a precarious position. But Fry’s skip was able to promote a bowl cutting the count to 2 shots, giving Fry’s 8 points from the 51-38 win.

A tight game with promotion-pushing Severn Vale ‘A’ saw Fry’s run out victors. Although Severn Vale took two tight rinks, Fry’s were much stronger on the third, with a 45-37 win giving them 6 points.

A narrow defeat at Ardagh saw the home side clinch victory with the final bowl.

July 27: Fry’s 59-34 Imperial: Rink 1, 23-12; Rink 2, 16-13; Rink 3, 20-9 (10-0)

August 3: Fry’s 51-38 Bradley Stoke: Rink 1, 1513; Rink 2, 10-19; Rink 3, 26-5 (8-2)

August 10: Fry’s 45-37 Severn Vale ‘A’: Rink 1, 25-12; Rink 2, 10-12; Rink 3, 10-13 (6-4)

August 17: Fry’s 44-46 Ardagh: Rink 1, 15-13; Rink 2, 12-17; Rink 3, 17-16 (4-6)

Cups:

Fry’s went out of the City and County of Bristol Clarence Davey Plate at the hands of Victoria Park. Although Fry’s fell behind early, they clawed some ground back on rinks 1 and 2, but a dominating performance from Victoria Park set up the win, seeing Fry’s out of the 4s cups for 2023.

Another close match in the annual Alsop Shield match with Keynsham went the way of the home side. Fry’s led towards the closing ends but they let Keynsham back into the game, with Keynsham holding out for the win.

Clarence Davey Plate: Fry’s 48-80 Victoria Park: Rink 1, 16-18; Rink 2, 15-17; Rink 3, 11-18; Rink 4, 6-27

Alsop Shield: Fry’s 78-81 Keynsham: Rink 1, 1722; Rink 2, 22-19; Rink 3, 27-21; Rink 4, 12-19

KEYNSHAM TOWN FC

Challenging start to the new season

TO say it has been a difficult start to the season for Keynsham Town’s young first team - following their relegation to the Toolstation Western League Division One - would definitely be an understatement.

The management have had to chop and change several players every game due to availability, and sadly defensive errors blighted several of their early games, leaving them playing catch-up at this early stage.

However, although the Ks have only recorded one victory to date, a fine 3-2 win away to Cheddar, performances are improving and there are positives which the club’s volunteers and supporters need to focus on.

Off the field, the club has created a new marketing team led by Martin Parfrey. There are plenty of excellent opportunities for local businesses to get involved with the town’s community club. For details, call Martin on 07498 940676 or send an email with your name and phone number to sponsorship@ keynshamtownfc.co.uk.

Ks reserves have also had a difficult start to their Uhlsport Somerset County Premier Division campaign, suffering three defeats so far, although all those games were against the top three teams in the league.

Similarly, the Ks ladies got off to a disappointing start, losing their opening league game 4-3 at home to Maidenhead.

There’s plenty of football to look forward to at Crown Fields during the first few weeks of the season, as follows:

Tue Sep 5: Men’s reserves v Somerton Town, 7.45pm

Thu Sep 7: Ladies’ first team v Swindon Town, 7.45pm

Sat Sep 9: Men’s first team v Bitton, 3pm

Sun Sep 10: Ladies’ first team v Portishead Town, 2pm

Tue Sep 12: Men’s first team v AEK Boco, 7.45pm

Sat Sep 16: Men’s first team v Hallen, 3pm

Sun Sep 24: Ladies’ first team v Selsey, 2pm Even if you can’t make it in person, you can keep up to date with the Ks’ fortunes in next month’s Keynsham Voice

Ks winger Jaheim Allen has scored five goals so far this season

KEYNSHAM BOWLING CLUB

Busy time on the green in

IT seems that no sooner has the bowling season opened, we are moving into the time of the year when the evenings get shorter and we just about manage to finish our evening fixtures being able to see the end of the rink.

Our league fixtures are coming to an end for both ladies and gents at Keynsham Bowling Club, and our green is very busy as we concentrate on playing through the knockout stages of our various club competitions.

One fixture that takes place each year is our men’s match against our local rivals from Frys, when we compete for the Alsop Shield.

We welcomed them to our green, where there was some very competitive bowling over the four rinks.

Keynsham won on two rinks by seven and five shots, losing on the other two by six and three, resulting in an overall Keynsham victory by 81 to 78.

We look forward to holding the trophy for the next year until we meet up again.

A couple of weeks later Frys got their revenge when they defeated Keynsham in the semi-final of the Friday Triples Cup by four shots.

The match was played at the Severnvale Green alongside the second semi-final when St Anne’s Park beat Begbrook.

Earlier in the season we held a successful recruitment drive resulting in over 20 new members, and it is good to see our new friends regularly bowling on our green.

Mike Barrow

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING “A

FULLY TRAINED & INSURED

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING

CERTIFICATES ISSUED FOR INSURANCE

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING

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