Keynshamvoice May 2013 by Emma Cooper

FREE EVERY MONTH for people and businesses in Keynsham & Saltford

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’ ATS H

May, 2013 Issue 14

Concerts, t clubs and more in our guide to the month th h P30

Focus on local photographers, P28 | Fresh look at the High Street, P35

Inside

Pupils say ‘no’ to bullying Youth and education – P12

Free parking plan a ‘step in the right Proposals get cautious direction’ welcome – Full story P3

Police honour for teenager Kieran P2 Housing bid for green belt goes to inquiry P9 Runner makes a marathon effort for charity P16

Plus... Letters... p14 Quiz... p33 Books... p36 Business of

the month.. p37 Property... p39 Sport... p43 Classifieds p45

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May, 2013

News Keynshamvoice contacts Emma Cooper Publisher

Joni Mann Editor

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

07887 561567 news@keynshamvoice.co.uk

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ Keynshamvoice

Your views Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Keynshamvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

June deadline Our June edition will be going to print on June 3. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by May 30. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

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

Kieran Dark receives his award from High Sheriff Dr Shaheen Chaudhry

General inquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk Inquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 Anti-social behaviour team asb@bathnes.gov.uk 01225 842462 NHS Direct 0845 46 47

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Keynshamvoice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Keynshamvoice is distributed each month to Keynsham residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is always welcomed, contact Emma Cooper on 0117 908 2121 or emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk. This month 11,000 copies will be distributed around Keynsham, Saltford, Burnett, Chewton Keynsham, Compton Dando, Queen Charlton, Corston and Woollard.

Kieran wins police award A Keynsham teenager has been honoured by police, who have presented awards to those who have shown bravery and exceptional community spirit. Fourteen-year-old Kieran Dark helped police track down and convict a drunk man who made offensive and racial comments to him at Keynsham Snooker Club. Kieran called police and went with officers in a patrol car and identified the man, who was then arrested after a violent struggle. He later made a statement, took part in a witness identification viewing and gave evidence in court via a video link, where the man was convicted of assaulting police. Bath Chief Inspector Simon Ellis said: “Kieran is to be commended for the exemplary manner in which he conducted himself, especially as he had never experienced discrimina-

tory behaviour before in what can only be described as a frightening, violent and unnecessary confrontation. He was understandably upset as at that time he was of small stature and was shocked by the way a man much larger than him behaved towards him. He remained calm and focused, which enabled officers to arrest the suspect.” Kieran was presented with a Waley-Cohen Award by the High Sheriff of Bristol, Dr Shaheen Chaudhry, at Avon and Somerset’s Chief Constable’s Awards on April 25, alongside other members of the public and the force. Chief Constable Nick Gargan said: “We’re celebrating modern-day heroes who should be incredibly proud. These are substantial achievements and the awards are presented by people who are in awe of what you have done.”

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May, 2013

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News

A cautious welcome for parking plan Plans to introduce free parking in a section of The Labbott car park have been hailed as a “step in the right direction”. The leaders of Bath & North East Somerset Council revealed at the end of April that work was under way to introduce the parking – limited to two hours – by July or August this year for the duration of the construction work on Keynsham’s town centre. Work needs to be done to change the traffic regulation order covering tariffs in the area, followed by a period of public consultation, according to a council spokesman. Traders in the town have led a long-running campaign to axe the 40p fee for short-stay parking, calls that have grown since the start of the £34m regeneration project and the closure of the Civic Centre car park. The announcement follows a move by local councillors to put forward an amendment to the council's budget in February, which saw £100,000 earmarked for a trial of free parking in the town during the redevelopment. Conservative councillors in Keynsham have said they cautiously welcome the proposal but were disappointed it wouldn’t be introduced until the summer.

Councillor Alan Hale (Cons, Keynsham) said: “The fact that B&NES is even looking into the idea of introducing free parking in Keynsham marks a significant U-turn from the council’s previous position, so this is clearly a welcome development. “However, it’s disappointing that it appears nothing will be put in place until the middle of summer at the earliest, and we don’t yet know how much free parking will be created. B&NES has had since February to work on this, so if the Lib Dems hadn’t been dragging their feet then it could have been implemented much sooner. “Free parking will benefit our High Street and make shopping trips cheaper and easier for local residents, and needs to be introduced as soon as possible. We’ll have to reserve judgment until we’ve seen the council’s full plans, but this is at least a step in the right direction.” At the time of going to press, the council was still finalising the details of the proposals it will put forward.

Costa bids for outdoor seating A bid by Costa to set up chairs and tables outside its Keynsham High Street coffee shop has sparked concern among some residents. South West Coffee hopes to be able to put three tables and six chairs on the pavement ringed by five fabric barriers. Objections to the proposals, lodged with Bath & North East Somerset Council, raise concerns for passers-by who use mobility scooters or wheelchairs or who are partially-sighted. They also point to the close proximity to the zebra crossing. One objector said: “For once priority should be given to the pedestrians in Keynsham rather than this business, which has ample seating inside.” A comment in support of the proposal, however, points to a lack of places to eat or drink outdoors in Keynsham and suggests

it could encourage people to use the High Street. In a design statement on behalf of the firm, agents Savills said: “The change of use will improve the vitality and viability of the High Street as the seating will add vibrancy to the frontage of the unit. Sufficient pedestrian access will be maintained to the premises and for users of the pavement.” People have until May 9 to comment on the plans.

Three stand for election in ward A by-election to elect a new town councillor to represent the Keynsham North ward is due to be held on Thursday, May 23. Three candidates are standing for election in the ward. They are Conservative Party candidate Carole-Anne Duckett, Independent candidate Patrick Feltham and Labour Party candidate John Gavaghan.

Your views

Write to 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR, or email news@keynsham voice.co.uk

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May, 2013

Questions put to police boss Keynsham’s new police custody and crime suite and the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit to the town’s roads were among the subjects raised with speaker Sue Mountstevens at the town’s annual meeting last month. First the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner outlined the four priorities for

her new police and crime plan, which will shape police services over the next four years. Then it was the turn of residents to put their questions to the police boss. One member of the audience asked what she thought about Keynsham’s new police custody and crime centre. Ms Mountstevens replied: “It’s

good news for the efficient and effective use of police resources.” She added it was an opportunity to use specialists to deal with those who had been detained as they looked at ways of getting police out on the streets. She was also asked about 20mph speed limits and blanket 20mph zones. She answered: “In

targeting specific areas it has value. In some areas it’s absolutely right, in some areas it’s not.” Other issues raised were sentencing in the courts and the role of PCSOs and special constables. To find out more about the police and crime plan and the role of the commissioner, go to www. avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk.

A step forward for arts scheme A project manager who will oversee the installation of artwork at the new town centre in Keynsham has been appointed by Bath & North East Somerset Council. Willis Newson, a Bristolbased arts consultancy, has been chosen to commission one or two pieces of public art for the development. Director Jane Willis said: “We are delighted to be working with Keynsham Town Council and the team redeveloping Keynsham town centre on

this exciting project. We look forward to talking to lots of local people over the next few months, getting to know the community better and perhaps working with local groups on some arts projects linked to the redevelopment. “We hope the arts programme will not only bring people together, and celebrate the rich culture and history of Keynsham, but also create a legacy that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”

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May, 2013

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News

We’re open for business

Keynsham traders have welcomed new signage pointing shoppers in the direction of their Temple Street stores. Bath and North East Somerset Council has installed a new podium outside Iceland and placed better signage on hoardings around the regeneration site. The move comes after talks between traders and council leaders about the impact the £34 million project is having on nearby shops during the construction phase. Lynn Young, chair of Keynsham Chamber of Commerce, said: “Any project of this size is going to see disruption for businesses in the immediate vicinity and with the temporary closure of the Civic Centre car park until September, the traders on Temple Street are not helped. That is why I welcome the small podium

and signage on the hoardings directing people and reminding them that the shops are open for business.” Councillor Paul Crossley, leader of the council, visited Keynsham to unveil the new podium with traders. He said: “Although there is a £34 million regeneration project taking place in the centre of Keynsham, the council wants the message to be clear. Keynsham is open for business and we want both local residents and people from outside the town to shop here. “We have already taken steps to support traders through the construction period, such as additional free 30-minute car parking spaces in Ashton Way car park and no on-site canteen for construction workers for the duration of the project."

Your news Let us know your news and views. Write to 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR, email news@keynsham voice.co.uk, or find us on Twitter @keynshamvoice

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Avoiding disease epidemics In Wales this month the number of people developing measles has risen more than 900. Around 88 people have required hospital treatment and one death may have been the result of measles infection. Measles is usually a preventable disease but as many as 40,000 people in Wales had not been vaccinated and were susceptible to the viral infection. 10,000 people have recently received vaccinations to give them protection from measles and to help stop the outbreak. What does this have to do with your cat or dog? It has shown how a preventable disease can cause an outbreak when individuals are not vaccinated, and vaccination also plays a valuable role in the control of infectious disease in cats and dogs. Pets that go out and about can contract infectious diseases by meeting other pets, and by sniffing around where others have been. We vaccinate cats and dogs against several lifethreatening diseases and it is important that puppies and kittens are vaccinated before they have the chance to contract serious infections such as distemper and canine parvovirus (dogs) and feline leukaemia virus and feline panleucopenia virus (cats). Dog and cat vaccinations are not effective for life – they need to be repeated, some of them every year, to give pets the maximum protection possible. Epidemics occur when vaccinations are not kept up

to date. Regular booster vaccinations are vital to ensure continued protection against infections. Any individual animal which is not vaccinated will always be susceptible to contracting infection, especially during an epidemic. Fortunately some diseases are relatively rare these days due to responsible pet owners ensuring that their pets are vaccinated but, as with measles in the human population, unvaccinated animals are always run the risk of contracting potentially deadly diseases. If it is 18 months or longer since your pet had its vaccination course or booster it may require a full vaccination course again. During the months of May and June any cat or dog needing to restart a course of vaccinations can have this course for only £25 at any Highcroft Veterinary Surgery (this is a saving of up to £51). Keep your pets safe!

May, 2013

News Volunteers will be meeting this month to begin planting at Keynsham Station

On track to brighten up station Work is set to begin this month to brighten up Keynsham Station with shrubs and plants. A team of volunteers will be rolling their sleeves up for the project, which has the backing of the Severnside Rail Partnership, First Great Western and Keynsham in Bloom. Planters are being sponsored by local groups and businesses while the ground has been prepared for the volunteers by teams from the Community Payback Scheme. Heather Cullimore, partnership officer with Severnside

Rail Partnership, said: “The rail partnership has found where we involve the community with enhancing the station environment instances of crime and anti-social behaviour on and around the station reduce significantly.” It is hoped the planting will be the first part of a series of improvements involving the community, with plans to use artwork from local schools and possibly a heritage map to create a trail linking Keynsham with Oldfield Park and Bath Spa to help encourage train travel.

Rebecca Gibb BVM&S MRCVS

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News

‘Parking fight will go to top’ A Keynsham resident who has spent six years campaigning for a residents-only parking zone in his street says he is prepared to take his battle to the top if there is no progress soon. Steve Rich, who lives in Dapps Hill, off Temple Street, said he will take his case to the chief executive of Bath and North East Somerset Council, along with police logs and pictures of the “irresponsible” parking he says is plaguing the area. He has met with MP Jacob Rees-Mogg on several occasions, as well as approaching the highways and parking departments at the council. Mr Rich said problems had worsened for residents since work began on the regeneration project last year. He said: “I haven’t seen the street empty for weeks and

weeks. The parking problems are seven days a week now. We get the overflow from the leisure centre, the pubs and shoppers.” Mr Rich said he fears the level of traffic in the area from nonresidents and parking on grass verges is a risk to pedestrians, especially to the schoolchildren who use the route. B&NES Council consulted residents on a parking scheme in 2011 but said there were not enough responses to approve the proposal. The authority agreed to revisit the scheme this year and a council spokesperson said: “The Cabinet will shortly be considering a timetable for reviewing residents’ parking, including Dapps Hill. The council fully acknowledges the undertaking given by the Cabinet to look at this location again.”

Quiz night to raise funds for hall Residents are invited to test their knowledge while raising funds for a local venue at a quiz night. The Fear Hall is hosting the event on Saturday, May 4, from 7.30pm and tables of four can be booked for £6 by calling Viv Pillinger on 0117 986 7798. There will also be refresh-

ments and a raffle on the evening. Proceeds from the quiz night will go towards the hall’s upgrade. A presentation to members of the public last month revealed more about the plans, which include enlargements to the Jubilee Lounge and disabled access.

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May, 2013

News

Local talent to lead the way

Two Keynsham brothers will be opening the show on the Top Stage at this summer’s Keynsham Music Festival. Acoustic duo Foreign Affairs – Adam and Lawrence Purnell – have been named as the first act to take to the stage on Sunday, July 7. They will be joined in flying the flag for their hometown by country and bluegrass band Slapface and the Hoagies and What the Flag, a multi-national jazz fusion act based in Keynsham. Organisers have released more details about the line-up on each of the four stages for this year’s popular event, with a newlook website offering festivalgoers more information at www. keynshammusicfestival.co.uk. Also appearing on the Top Stage will be Manchester performer Franco and the Dreadnought, who was approached by former South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu to write a song

Foreign Affairs, left, and Slapface and The Hoagies, right, will be among the performers on the Top Stage for former president Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday. Keynsham talent will be represented on the other stages during the day, too, with Through Your Eyes and The Retrospecs on the TimeOut Stage while many local acts will take to the Performance Stage.

The gala concert on Saturday, July 6, will see the return of Keynsham Orchestra for a Proms-style performance, which for the first time will be opened by young musicians from the B&NES Music Centre. Eco-philosopher Satish Kumar is expected to draw a

large audience in the main tent on Friday evening, July 5, before the late-night Film Under The Stars, which this year will be Sister Act. For full line-ups, including Music Festival Week events from Monday, July 1, visit www. keynshammusicfestival.co.uk.

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May, 2013

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News

Inquiry for green-belt plan The developer behind plans for up to 99 new homes in Saltford has taken the application to appeal after Bath & North East Somerset council failed to reach a decision by the deadline it set. Crest Nicholson submitted proposals for the controversial development on green-belt land off Manor Road in December, and the council set March 6 as the target date for a decision. Public consultation on the plans before the deadline resulted in hundreds of objections, many raising concerns at pressure on the local primary school, extra traffic and loss of green-belt land. However, with no decision reached by March 6, the firm is now going to an independent planning inspector for a verdict. Ben Miller, a development director at Crest Nicholson, said: “We have decided to take our planning application for 99 homes at Manor Road in Saltford to the Independent Planning Inspectorate as the council has

not reached a decision within the designated time. There is a severe shortage of housing within Bath and North East Somerset and Manor Road has been identified as the most appropriate location for development.” The developer’s decision to go to appeal has been met with anger by local councillors. Cllr Mathew Blankley (Cons, Saltford) said: “It would clearly have been far better for this application to be decided democratically by the council’s planning committee rather than by a planning inspector who does not know our community so well. “I think that residents in Saltford will be angry that Crest

Nicholson has decided not to allow the council’s democratic process to take its course.” Comments already made on the plans will be passed to the inspector. People who have not commented can do so until May 16. Mr Miller added: “Our proposal sets out a variety of housing, from two- to five-

bedroom properties, all of which have been specifically designed to meet the housing needs of local people, without compromising the character of Saltford. It also incorporates 35 per cent affordable housing.” The planning inspector has set a date of August 13 for an inquiry. Letters: Page 14

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May, 2013

Youth and education Cadet Kayleigh named winner

Jo Bellotti of Curo with the TimeOut task force

Tell us how we can help! TimeOut Task Force is a group of young people, aged between 12 and 18. We would like to improve the Keynsham community by doing different tasks which will help to bring our community together. We are doing this because we feel that Keynsham would benefit from the help we are offering and the improvements that we will make. We gather every Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm at TimeOut youth centre. Our service will help the young people involved to improve their social and practical skills, enabling young people to make new friends and try new activities. It will also benefit the community by making the surroundings a better place. We will do this by carrying out projects such as repainting and repairing. We would like to hear your thoughts and ideas of possible future projects for us to take on or be a part of – everything will be considered. However, it is down to the team and the practicalities of doing such projects. We also welcome new members who would like to make a difference. Jo Bellotti, community initiatives officer at Curo, which is sponsoring the task force, said: “At Curo we are really pleased that the TimeOut Task Force have agreed to be part of our Neighbour Hoodies initiative. We want Neighbour Hoodies

across all of our neighbouhoods to show their local communities that young people are keen to play an active role in looking after and caring for their local environment and the people who live there. By working in partnership with Keynsham Town Council Youth Service we can achieve so much more that will not only benefit our communities but also the young people taking part. “We are also keen to offer the young people the opportunity to gain certificates, accreditation and work experience that will benefit them in the future.”

A Keynsham cadet has been chosen from among more than 200 other young hopefuls to take part in a threeweek trip to South Africa. Kayleigh Fisher from 2386 (Keynsham) Squadron Air Training Corps has been named one of the nine winners of the CVQO Duke of Westminster Award. The 17-year-old was selected from among more than 200 nominees to compete against 20 other finalists in a four-day challenge on the Quantock Hills, which put their teamwork and leadership skills to the test in a series of physical and mental tasks. These included attending a staged aircraft accident and

debating current affairs, with the activities earning each of the cadets a CVQO-led Level 3 qualification in Leadership from the Institute of Leadership and Management. Now Kayleigh and eight fellow winners will spend three weeks in South Africa on an educational expedition, where they will undertake an environmental awareness course and a cultural project. Guy Horridge, CVQO executive director, said: “It couldn’t have been closer this year with some excellent cadets making it through to the final 21 in Somerset. Huge congratulations to the winners – we look forward to hearing about their adventures in South Africa.” The overall CVQO Duke of Westminster Award winner will be announced on June 26.

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Task force is good because it helps me communicate with different people. Tilly Task force has helped me develop my leadership skills and build confidence. Phoebe Task force has helped me gain confidence and has improved my communication skills. Toni Task force has helped me communicate with others and has improved my confidence. Amy I have made lots of new friends at task force and I enjoy it a great deal. Lewis Task force will be a great addition to my CV, it also helps my social skills and I have gained self confidence. Jordan It has introduced me to a new range of activities and projects that I can be a part of. Matt

Keynsham Town Council Youth Service

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TimeOut Drop-In Centre, 1-2 River Terrace, Temple Street, Keynsham Call Mark Willcox on 0117 986 8683 or email youthworker@keynsham-tc.gov.uk Open drop-in sessions: Mondays and Thursdays, 7-9.30pm. Project nights: Wednesdays, 7-9pm. D Detached Work: Wednesdays and Thursdays 7-9.30pm

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May, 2013

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Youth and education

Say cheese – you’re going to be in a game! Scouts celebrate 20 years of sales Keynsham Explorer Scouts will this year celebrate 20 years of holding their popular annual bedding plant sale. Over the years, the money raised has enabled the Explorer Scout Unit to offer challenging opportunities to many young people in the Keynsham community. The plant sale has also grown in size and reputation

with many customers returning year after year. The Explorer unit wish to thank everybody who has supported them – some from the very start. This year’s sale will take on Saturday, May 18. All plants are nursery grown and order forms for advance orders are available by emailing carts@blueyonder. co.uk.

The Complete Control studio welcomed two very special people through the doors recently – Tom and Lily, both aged 10, who were the winners of the Cheese Rolling Game Character Competition, that was recently featured in the Keynshamvoice. Entrants had to design a game character, based around a round rolling cheese, that is soon going to feature in one of Complete Control's new online game titles. Tom and Lily's characters “Cheddar Chap” and “Stately Stilton” really caught the eye of the team at Complete Control and becoming winners meant that they visited the studio and spent time with Complete Control’s lead character designer, Charlie Trevan, with whom they worked up the characters from the initial sketches to a fully formed game character on the computer. Both Tom and Lily had a really fun afternoon getting creative and left the studio with a model of their characters to

take home with them. Complete Control also had more major success in the awards department last month, by scooping two prestigious awards at the Bath SPARKies, an award ceremony for celebrating the very best of the regions tech and digital sector. The Complete Control team were acknowledged for the Best Digital Project for their World Book Day website, and crowned the South West’s Biggest Success Story in 2012. Glynn Hayward, Complete Control’s creative director, also attended the Target Jobs Awards ceremony in London in which the company was up for the best graduate employer of the year with their links with Bath Spa university this year.  Complete Control is a children’s interactive production company creating entertaining and engaging content for some of the best-loved children’s brands. It is based at Corston, near Bristol.

Lily creating Stately Stilton

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May, 2013

Pupils say ‘no’ to bullying Pupils at St Keyna Primary who won a £600 grant from B&NES Council for their ideas to stop bullying have been working hard to put their plans into action and held an Anti-Bullying Day on April 19. The day’s message was “It’s okay to be different” and activities, devised by the children, included a poster competition, short films, putting together a “What to do if you’re being bullied” leaflet and creating a large mural featuring their drawings. Kate Murphy, chair of B&NES Anti-Bullying Strategy Group, joined a special assembly on the day to help hand out certificates to pupils to celebrate their acts of kindness and new books chosen by a Year 5 student on the theme of diversity were given to each class. Kate Murphy said: “I have been very impressed with all the pupil-led anti-bullying activities at St Keyna. Pupils, staff, gov-

Ashleigh and Caitlyn at the cake sale, left; above, James and his anti-bullying poster ernors and parents are working hard together to make their school an even safer, healthier

and happier place and are leading the way in terms of equalities and inclusive practice.”

In the afternoon, a group of Year 5 and 6 pupils raised £200 selling cakes, keyrings, stickers, bookmarks and wristbands, all with an anti-bullying message, with some of the profits being donated to ChildLine. Ashleigh and Caitlyn said: “It’s been fun working with the younger children and all the efforts to stop bullying show that we care for each other.” Head of St Keyna, Adrienne Hughes, was delighted at how the day had gone: “There’s been an amazing variety of ideas generated by the children to put across the anti-bullying message and they’ve worked fantastically well together to make it a day to remember.” The week also saw the first meeting of the E Team – a group of children who’ve been elected by their classmates, staff and governors to ensure that the positive messages of equality and inclusion are continued.

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‘Open office’ offers insight into project Members of the public were given a different perspective on Keynsham's regeneration project, with an “open office” event held 100ft above the site. The bird’s eye view of the development from the third floor of the Riverside Building proved an ideal photo opportunity for those wanting to capture history in the making. There was also a presentation on the progress made so far at the site and targets the builders are working towards, such as reopening the civic centre car park this September, and opening the new library and one-stop shop by late summer next year, followed by the shops and offices in September 2014. The guests were also given an insight into the traces of Keynsham’s past being uncovered during the project and examined

The view from the third floor of the Riverside Building, where the first ‘open office’ event took place by archaeologists, such as a Victorian brick hearth, staircase, basement and cesspit from buildings that stood on the site long ago. Open office events will be held every three months and anyone

who wants to attend should register their interest at keynsham. site@willmottdixon.co.uk or call 0117 986 8941. Find out more about the project and get updates at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ keynshamregen.

Sing out if you can volunteer A charity that supports families living with autism is hoping to find volunteers with musical talent to lead some new activities. Butterflies-Haven, based in Keynsham, is hoping to find people who can help teach youngsters to play instruments or sing together – which could eventually lead to the charity’s own singing group. The range of activities for youngsters in the Young Voice Social Group has rapidly grown, with members enjoying yoga, reiki and massage. Founder Trisha Williams is now hoping to set up a new group for the older youngsters on the autistic spectrum, aged from 13-17. She said the aim is to have the group up and running in September and is working with a youth worker from Wansdyke Play Association and the youngsters themselves to set it up. To find out more about Butterflies-Haven and get involved, call 0117 3290123 or visit www. butterflies-haven.co.uk.

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TER T E

Opportunity lost to preserve past When I read the headline “Have say on extra homes” in your April issue I thought, “Here we go again, another pointless exercise.” B&NES leaders have proved time and time again, they refuse to listen to the people of Keynsham. The town centre rebuild, the K2 site and Somerdale build. All have raised strong opposition and objections, but has anything been taken on board by B&NES? No, not one jot! The housing inspector says these extra homes must be built, so they will be built. End of! Democracy 21stcentury style. I fully support TV’s Richard Wyatt’s views towards preserving

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Your views Send letters to Keynshamvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR. Alternatively, email news@keynsham voice.co.uk, find us on Facebook or Twitter @keynshamvoice or go to our website www.keynshamvoice.co.uk the town’s ancient history. What a shame then that there is to be no mention of the fact that Cadbury’s ever existed on the site. An opportunity lost to incorporate a small museum as a history lesson for future generations to show the part played by Cadbury’s in Keynsham’s past. John Howlett Keynsham

We should leave Saltford as it is I think Reg Williams’ letter in April’s edition may prove the existence of a parallel universe. He seems to believe that the cost of a Saltford bypass will be paid for by the fruit of the money tree in Keynsham Community Forest. In his own words, he approves of a major road starting at the Broadmead Roundabout, going straight through the Community Forest (bye bye money tree) into

green-belt land near Saltford Golf Course, up over Gypsy Lane and on to Corston somewhere near Bath Spa University. Nowhere in his letter does he give any indication as to how this road will be financed. In his universe, perhaps there isn’t a government whose primary objective is to save money and where it is reasonable to build roads that have no strategic value beyond the parish of Saltford. It certainly isn’t part of any reality I know. In my world, to build 5,000 houses in Saltford would be a disaster. In these impoverished times any such road would have to pay for itself and the most obvious way to do it would be through extra housing so it is reasonable to link the two. Of course, there is always the tooth fairy but she is very fond of the money tree. My advice, leave Saltford as it is. The traffic on the A4 is a problem sometimes but Saltford remains a beautiful village and these massive changes will do it no good. Andy Wait

When common sense prevails Who cares who gets the credit? Common sense prevailed and we should thank both the Lib Dems and the Conservatives for helping prevent the Core Strategy, including 5,000 homes within a bypass on Saltford’s green belt agricultural land. Political credits aside, what the whole issue has clearly shown

May, 2013

is that for Saltford one does not come without the other. When calling for a Saltford bypass proponents need to answer this question: “If a bypass was built, how would housing infill be effectively prevented?” We all recognise the problem of traffic congestion at peak times. As Saltford Environment Group’s committee agreed last January: “Traffic congestion requires sustainable solutions, not simply creating more roads that increase overall road traffic with higher carbon and other polluting emissions whilst creating traffic problems elsewhere.” Interestingly studies to assess a Saltford bypass are in the Core Strategy; that does not imply that a bypass would follow. Those studies could usefully identify the various sources of traffic congestion in the wider area, not just Saltford which is simply one of several pinch-points, and the most cost-effective range of sustainable solutions to address them. Phil Harding Saltford Environment Group

Move is slap in face for villagers It has been announced that plans for a 99-home housing development on Saltford’s Greenbelt will no longer be decided by the council, but instead by an unelected planning inspector. This latest move by developer Crest Nicholson is a slap in the face to Saltford residents, who we know will be left feeling angry that that the council has allowed this situation to occur. The reason Crest Nicholson is able to take its application to a planning appeal is because

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B&NES failed to take a decision within the required time period, meaning that Crest is able to take the application to the Inspector on the grounds of “non-determination”. We will obviously be pressing the council for answers on how the application was allowed to get to the point where the decision is taken out of the council’s hands. However, while B&NES must clearly share some responsibility for the situation, Crest did not have to go for what is in effect the “nuclear option” by calling the appeal so quickly. This is not a common step for a developer to take as most developers prefer to work with local communities, not against them. It would clearly have been far better for the application to be determined through the council’s normal democratic process, with a decision taken by an elected and accountable committee of councillors rather than an inspector who does not understand our community. Nevertheless, the facts have not changed – Saltford has not been earmarked for any largescale housing development in the council’s Core Strategy; the Manor Road application will damage the green belt; there would be a detrimental impact on nearby roads; and the Saltford Primary School is already at capacity.

We will therefore continue to vehemently oppose this application and take our fight to the planning appeal hearing. Objections already lodged to the council by residents will be passed to the inspector, and we, alongside the parish council, will argue against these plans at the inquiry. We will not allow this setback to deter us from the battle to protect Saltford’s prized green belt. Cllr Francine Haeberling. Cllr Mathew Blankley (Cons, Saltford)

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Thanks to acts and audience Live music has been enjoyed monthly in Compton Dando for well over a year. This concert series has now ceased but we would like to say a big thank you to Three Piece Suite, the John Hooper Trio and guest performers, including Hilary Pavey and Hannah Wedlock. Many enjoyable concerts and both the audience and the bands have shown great support for the Children’s Hospice South West, contributing well over £1,000 to this worthwhile cause. We look forward to the return of live music to Compton Dando at some time in the future. Meanwhile, thank you again from the hospice’s Marksbury fundraising group. Colin Emmett

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Shoppers donate £184 to branch Luck was with a group of 13 volunteers who spent a day at Keynsham’s Co-op store raising funds to support families living with Huntington’s Disease in the area. The group raised £184.29 and national chair of the Huntington’s Disease Association Heather Thomas, who attended the fundraising event, thanked everyone who gave up their time to collect the funds and all those who donated.

Among the volunteers were Amber and Rosie Wild whose mum Julie has HD and who was also there with her husband John, collecting donations and talking to members of the public. Ms Thomas also said the event could not have gone ahead without the support of the store’s managers Chris Smith and Carol Howell. To find out more about the HDA, visit www.hda.org.uk or www.hdabristol.org.uk.

Dog-fouling complaints on rise Rising complaints about dog fouling have prompted Saltford Parish Council to remind owners to pick up after pets. Concerns have centred on Manor Road, Montague Road, Beech Road and the High Street but dog owners are also being urged to take extra care when walking their pets in the playing fields of Claverton Road and

Wedmore Road. B&NES dog wardens have been asked to patrol Saltford on a more regular basis and owners have been warned they could face a £50 on-the-spot fine or prosecution. Residents can report dogfouling hotspots to the dog wardens’ office on 01225 394041 or by texting 07797 806545.

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Runner’s marathon effort rallies support for causes

Keynsham runner Adrian Smart has just completed his second marathon in a fortnight – but he won’t be putting away his running gear just yet. The keen athlete is halfway through a year of challenges that will see him undertake four halfmarathons, three marathons and a 100-mile bike ride. Adrian, 34, was inspired to set himself a personal goal as part of a £150,000 fundraising drive by his employer, corporate services firm Jordans, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. He said: “I’ve done 10k runs, half-marathons and the odd marathon every couple of years and always tried to get sponsorship. I felt I needed to expand on my challenges to make people want to keep donating. I like to keep active and challenge myself and raise money at the same.” Manchester Marathon on

April 28 proved to be Adrian’s most successful race yet as he shaved around 17 minutes from his personal best time, crossing the finish line in three hours and 10 minutes. It’s an achievement that has particular meaning for Adrian since the Boston Marathon bombing last month. He said:

“My immediate thought after I heard was that I want to run the Boston Marathon next year to show you can’t stop the public supporting the race or those taking part. You have to qualify for Boston with three hours 10 minutes and it has galvanised me to try to take part, to show my support.” Adrian and his colleagues’ fundraising activities throughout the year will be benefiting five charities, from the global missions of the British Red Cross, the nationwide work of Cancer Research UK and the Prince’s Trust, to the locally-based dementia charity BRACE and Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal. He hopes these are causes the Keynsham community can get behind, especially as the town will be hosting a summer fun day on July 13 at Keynsham Rugby

Club to raise money towards the £150,000 target. There will be plenty of family fun as teams battle it out in an It’s A Knockout-style tournament, with plenty of inflatables, water and foam. There will be lots of activities for visitors to enjoy, including fairground games, a bouncy castle, archery, human table football and more. The rugby club will also be the start and end point for Adrian’s 100-mile cycle ride. The former Broadlands School pupil is aiming to raise £2,500 towards the target set by his company, where he works as a support analyst in Bristol. To find out more about Adrian’s challenge and to donate, go to https://www.justgiving. com/7in2013/. For more on the summer fun day and other Jordans150 fundraising activities, go to www.jordans150.com.

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Fun for all at festival week Celebrating Saltford past and present will bring the community together for the village’s festival from Saturday, June 8, to Saturday, June 16. An open morning with Saltford Community Association at Saltford Hall will launch the week, with MP Jacob ReesMogg, the village crier and BBC Radio on hand as the winners of the Good Neighbour Awards, short story and photograph contests are announced. Tiddlers Nursery Summer Fair and the Jolly Sailor Feel Good Festival will also take place on June 8. Activities will run throughout the week, including talks on a range of subjects from history to teenage fiction at Saltford Library and St Mary’s Church Hall, history and geology walks, and a pizza night for Year 9, 10 and 11 youngsters at Saltford Hall. Evening entertainment will

include song and dance show Alice’s Travels on June 10, Abba Night with the Decade Dolls on June 11, a quiz night on June 12 and a local talent night on June 14, all at Saltford Hall. On June 13, it will be the talents of local chefs in the spotlight as the hall hosts an international feast. A Country Market with around 30 stalls will kick off events on the Saturday, which will also include open gardens and a 60s Night at Saltford Hall. The week will culminate with the Old Village Day on June 16, with stalls, barbecue, Stove Pipe Hat Parade, a dog show, entertainment and more. The Jolly Sailor will host the festival finale from 5pm with a hog roast and music from Nosy Parker. For the full programme, visit www. saltfordfestival.org.uk. To get involved call 01225 874081 or email chair@saltfordhall.co.uk.

Members of the Rotary Club of Keynsham Chew Valley with donations

Big response to baby clothes appeal

Members of the Rotary Club of Keynsham Chew Valley have thanked all the residents who responded to their appeal for baby clothes. The first donation on Saturday, April 20, was made before 9am as the volunteers were setting up for the morning, when a man arrived at the Scout Hut from Bath with a large bag of clothes. Items continued to arrive

steadily until finally the club was able to fill two cars. A spokesperson said: “A huge thank you to everyone who made a contribution. We also need to give a big thank you to the Scouts, who once again have allowed us to use their facilities.” The clothes collected on the day will be distributed among orphaned and needy children in Romania and Bulgaria.

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We’re going to need a bigger box... Keynsham’s recently unearthed time capsule and its future were the subject for debate at the town council’s last meeting – and one suggestion took town councillors by surprise. The capsule, buried in 1964 as the foundations of the old town hall were installed, was released from the ground recently by developers working on the £34m regeneration project in the centre. The battered copper box contains freshly-minted coins from the era, newspapers, photos, an ammonite, pieces of Roman vase, as well as the names of those sitting on Keynsham’s Urban District Council at the time and some of its documents. Now in the possession of

Keynsham Town Council, it was up to councillors to decide what to do with the capsule, with some favouring reburial, along with new items to represent today's Keynsham, and others backing the idea of putting the unearthed objects on display. The debate took a surprising turn, however, when Councillor Tony Crouch asked Councillor Roy Staddon to clarify whether he really had said: “What is a town council for if not to be buried?” Whether it was a slip of the tongue or a simple misunderstanding remains unclear – Keynshamvoice’s own powers of concentration were waning after an unusually long meeting – but the 11 councillors present

Embracing The time capsule from 1964 recovered from the site of the old town hall decided against putting forward any motion that might see them boxed and buried for future generations to uncover. Councillor Gill Hellier, chair, said after the meeting she hoped Keynsham residents would not take up the suggestion with the contractors! Instead it was agreed, by a vote of 7-4, that the 50-year-old capsule will be reburied during the development, along with some new items to represent 2013/14. Items from the 1964 time capsule will be copied and put on display.  What do you think should be included in a time capsule representing the Keynsham of today? Email news@keyn shamvoice.co.uk or find us on Twitter @keynshamvoice.

It’s no secret that Keynsham, like many other towns, has a past. Following archaeological excavations in the 1920s and 1960s, part of Keynsham’s story has been preserved in ad hoc ways first at the old Cadbury’s site and more recently in the old town hall. This material will soon become more accessible to the public in the new civic centre development. Pending completion of the civic centre, Bath & North East Somerset Council is holding some significant items at Pixash Lane, in a building next to the recycling centre. These include:  Medieval objects and stone work found in the 1961 excavation of Keynsham Abbey. The most fascinating pieces are three roof bosses, which are key pieces of stone in the structure of vaulted ceilings. There are also a number of glazed floor tiles that have images of griffins, birds, and

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News heritage: Past steps forward other complex patterns.  Mosaic panels which were discovered when the Durley Hill Roman Villa was excavated in the 1920s. Additional items held at the store include archaeological finds from the Combe Down Stone Mines. There will be a free public open day at the store on Saturday, May 25, from 11am-3pm. There will be guided tours of the store, where visitors can get close to the mosaic panels and find out about our plans for the new Keynsham Civic Centre. If you have a group that is interested in viewing these items and cannot make it to the open day, call 01225 477779 to discuss a private tour. Displays will showcase the story of Keynsham by displaying some of the key objects from Keynsham’s past in cases in the new civic building, the lovely Roman mosaic panels will be conserved and also put

on display. As the Keynsham regeneration project moves along, comments and suggestions will be welcomed on what the residents of Keynsham would like to see placed into the display cases in the new development. Comments can be sent to roman baths_enquiries@bathnes. gov.uk or @RomanBathsBath via Twitter or go to the Roman Baths Facebook page and either send a private message or write your comment on the wall. The most important thing to remember, whether you’re a visitor to Keynsham or a resident, is that Keynsham’s story will be available now and to future generations.  Jennifer Leech is a Heritage Management MA student from the Ironbridge Institute working with the Bath & North East Somerset collections and the Learning & Programmes departments during her placement with the Roman Baths in Bath

Jacob Rees-Mogg MPP Wellsway School saw the opening of its new £3.1 million sports hall last week. This impressive facility has a sixcourt hall as well as a suite of fitness machines bought from the Olympic Park and some classroom space. It was formally opened by Ben Rushgrove, who is one of the country’s foremost Paralympians. He won a silver medal in Peking and a bronze in London, which he generously showed to the guests and pupils at Wellsway. He is an influential figure who was besieged by admirers after the ceremony with whom he patiently agreed to be photographed. Other parts of the ceremony included some excellent dancing and speeches from pupils. This was done exceptionally well and was an organisational triumph for the school. Wellsway has a strong reputation for sport and this new hall will enhance its standing.

It provides the facilities necessary to produce outstanding results but it is the enthusiasm of staff and pupils alike which will ensure success. This is clearly present and it will be interesting to see it flourish in coming years. The hall is also available for the community and had been used by 300 residents prior to the formal opening. This is beneficial as it ensures a greater use of an expensive resource, especially during parts of the year when schools are not open. It allows continuity for school leavers who will be able to keep up their training after finishing their studies. However, its greatest benefit is in bringing a community together. Sometimes schools can seem isolated places and sharing something like this can change this perception. It allows young and old to come together to the benefit of society generally. www.jacobreesmogg.com

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A new era in sportswear... Bristol Rugby are delighted to announced a ground-breaking deal which will see the international sportswear brand ZARX Sports become the official supplier of first team kit and replica merchandise for the club. The agreement – which begins at the start of the 2013/14 season – sees ZARX Sports branding on all team apparel, training wear and equipment. ZARX Sports have also agreed a deal to supply the awardwinning Bristol Rugby Community Foundation with branded apparel and merchandise. To mark the 125th anniversary, Bristol Rugby will unveil a new, commemorative home and away strip ahead of next season, as well as a line of limited edition merchandise and accessories. “This is an ideal partnership for both parties,” said CEO Steve Gorvett. “Bristol Rugby and ZARX Sports are companies with similar ambitions to grow and achieve success.

Steve Gorvett, chief executive of Bristol Rugby, left, with Brad George, managing director of ZARX Sports “The Club and ZARX have undergone a detailed process to plan, design and produce a home and away strip which is symbolic of Bristol’s values and celebrates this important anniversary.” Brad George, director of ZARX Sports, added: “We are delighted to be partnering and being the official on-field and off-field apparel supplier for the 2013/2014 season. “Our international head office

is in Bristol and we were keen to work with the local professional club. Bristol Rugby are a fantastic club with a great heritage, superb fan base and ambition to be playing in the Aviva Premiership. “We’re excited by this partnership and working alongside the club in the future. Bristol have traditionally been one of the powerhouses of British rugby and deserve apparel that fits this status. We look forward to the season ahead.” ZARX Sports is a rugby team wear and sports equipment specialist with its HQ in Bristol which aims to make a big difference to the sporting world. Officially launched in 2013, the brand and concept has been alive and in development since 2011. Brad George, managing director, added: “Our aim is to have a sports brand that competes and meets all of the needs of our clients. We have combined our core experience of dealing with sales, designs, manufacturing,

quality control and delivery with a team of trusted and experienced staff who all reflect our aims and beliefs in how to do business. We have dealt with the biggest brands on the planet and understand the flaws they have when it comes to dealing with the clubs’ and fans’ expectations. We are confident everyone from a local club through to professional teams and its supporters will see a notable difference in the quality, design, technical innovation and service ZARX Sports provide. We have spent many years in the field coupled with valuable research which stands us above the crowd. We have some major deals in the pipeline so watch this space” ZARX Sport HQ is in Bristol with sales staff based around the world in countries such as France, Italy, Japan, USA, New Zealand and Australia. For more information on ZARX Sports, please visit the website at www.zarxsports.com.

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Talk of the Town

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with Councillor Gill Hellier, chairman of Keynsham Town Council Many thanks to the residents who attended the Annual Town Meeting on April 22 at the Baptist Church. We welcomed Sue Mountstevens, the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. She spoke of her plans for the future of policing in the area and emphasised that she would be listening and consulting with all the different groups and would be setting up a youth forum. It was agreed at the last town council meeting that the time capsule which was found in the basement of the old town hall will be reburied with modern-day artefacts after photographs have been taken. Now that the weather is more seasonal and that the

gardens have at long last burst into spring colours, we are hoping residents and businesses will feel inspired to enter the Keynsham in Bloom competition. The judging will take place on July 11 and 12 and entry forms can be obtained in the town council offices. There is a children’s sweet pea competition and already a record number of seed packets have been handed out by town council staff and the library. The photos of the entries must be with us by September 6. No photos of Grandad’s sweet peas will be accepted! Hopefully it will be a record year for Keynsham Bloomers! Don’t be reticent, you can enter a whole garden or just your tubs, hanging baskets or allotment.

Music to market shoppers’ ears! Young members from the cast of Annie – Keynsham Light Opera Group’s most recent production – entertained shoppers as they browsed the stalls at April’s Keynsham Farmers’ Market. The young performers gave the public a taste of what was to come from the show, which runs until May 4 at Saltford Hall. The monthly market returns on Saturday, May 11, hopefully bringing with it a taste of

summer in the shape of the first strawberries. Local youngsters will also be out and about on the day creating a photo-documentary of the market as part of the Bath Fringe Festival. Any budding performers or musicians who would like to take the stage at the market can contact Louise Hall on 01373 814646. Morris dancers are among the acts lined up for thr coming months.

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We have been reviewing the crime figures in for the year April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, which I thought would be worth sharing. We had 1,050 crimes reported across my policing area (Keynsham and Chew Valley) this year compared to 1,249 last year. This is a 15.9% reduction which is very pleasing to see. The detection rate across the B&NES district finished up at just over 40% and yet again we were the best performing district. When I arrived in Keynsham eight years ago we were way off these sorts of figures so it is a time to reflect on how far we have come. Crime across Bath and North East Somerset is down 8% overall so we are well ahead on reducing crime in our neighbourhood. We all have a part to play in continuing this reduction and we are not complacent – thefts from motor vehicles have shown a slight increase of late, with offences often occurring during daylight hours, particularly in the Keynsham North and South areas. Commercial vehicles are often a target for

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May, 2013

Just pop in at ‘pop-up’ cafe with Inspector Tim Stuckes tools. I would always rather have too much information than not enough so please – if you see anything suspicious, ring it in on 101. I would urge you to read the police newsletter for Keynsham which includes an introduction to the new Chief Constable, Nick Gargan. Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens also features and she spoke at the Annual Keynsham Town Meeting when I was pleased to assist her with answering queries on local policing. The newsletter is available in the town council offices, the library, or indeed, online.

Residents are invited to enjoy a cake and a cuppa on the first Saturday of the month at a “pop-up cafe” run by people with learning difficulties. The Saturday Kitchen has been set up by the Keynsham Network, part of the B&NES Network for people with learning difficulties, and runs from 10am2pm at the Key Centre. A spokesperson said: “The Saturday Kitchen has grown out of a desire to create our own employment opportunities as well as wishing to offer something back to the community.” The cafe serves homemade soup, snacks and cakes as well as Fair Trade hot drinks, and there is also a book and craft stall. The next Saturday Kitchen is on May 4. The network has also called on the support of local traders for another project in the town and

say they have been delighted by the response. Community Safety Zones (CSZ) provide safe places in the local community which victims of hate crime can access in order to feel safe. A number of outlets along the High Street and Temple Street are now displaying Safety Zone posters and staff have been given training in how to respond and support someone. The project works in conjunction with Community Safety Cards which network members carry with key details of who to contact in an emergency. The spokesperson added: “The hate crime project has seen the networks work with lots of different agencies – especially the police and the local community – and the networks are really proud to have a CSZ established in Keynsham.”

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Garden gates to open again for good cause The public will get a rare chance to explore a garden near Keynsham created by two Chelsea gold medal-winning designers whose work can also be found at the Prince of Wales’ Highgrove estate. Hanham Court Gardens, designed by Isabel and Julian Bannerman, is opening the gates to visitors for one weekend next month as part of the National Gardens Scheme’s (NGS) fundraising open days. On Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, from 1.305.30pm, visitors will be able to enjoy the 25-acre site, which features a formal garden with old roses, topiary and more, leading into wildflower meadows, a woodland garden with pools, tree ferns and magnolia and a kitchen and vegetable garden. Refreshments will be available in the Hanham Court cellar tea room and money raised on

the day will go to the NGS’s charities Marie Curie Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Support, Help the Hospices, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Fund (Perennial) and the National Trust. The grounds were rescued from dereliction by the couple, who transformed them over 15 years, with their work earning the garden the title No1 Dreamy Garden from Gardens Illustrated in 2010. While still catering for group tour bookings and private functions, the gardens are no longer regularly open to the public following the property's sale in 2011. Admission on both open days is £5 for adults while children get in free. Hanham Court can be found at Ferry Road, Hanham, BS15 3NT. Email info@hanhamcourtgardens.co.uk or visit www. hanhamcourtgardens.co.uk.

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News in brief

A new male hair and grooming salon has opened at 8 Temple Street. Groom will offer waxing, massage, including deep tissue, hot stones and sports massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, a stand-up tanning machine and more. Owners Dave and Samantha Gorham are pictured above at the official launch event on April 12. An independent pharmacy is set to open in the former Dixie’s Cafe premises in Chandag Road, next to McColls. The team behind the venture hopes the store will open on June 24 with a reception and official opening ceremony for the community shortly after.

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May, 2013

Art offers a great escape A Saltford-based artist has opened his first exhibition at Keynsham’s Pomegranate Cafe, where he hopes his watercolours will provide art-lovers with an escape from everyday life. Andy Butterfield studied textile design and spent many years designing film sets, living in London and abroad. Since moving to the West Country eight years ago he has rediscovered his love of painting. He said the inspiration for his landscapes comes from photographs, his imagination and from his experiences of living in other countries. He said: “I hope my art offers an escape. I’m trying to take people away from the grey skies – I would say the south of France is more of an influence than the Avon!” Andy calls the river his home, as he lives on an Edwardian Dutch barge which also doubles as his studio. He also works as an interior designer, with recycling one of his core values, which also extends to his artwork. He uses

Spanish Plain

Andy Butterfield at Pomegranate reclaimed frames and glass to keep his work at an affordable level. The exhibition runs at Pomegranate Cafe, 19 Temple Street, until May 23 and all pieces are for sale. Andy also undertakes commissions and can be contacted at andyjbutterfield@gmail. com or on 07966 947825.

Spring Meadow

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Celebrating top of crops Keynsham’s first flower and vegetable show in around a decade will be held this summer, thanks to a group of gardening enthusiasts. The seeds of the idea were planted during a conversation about the late spring, which then turned to flower shows and the fate of the town's own event. One of the organisers Paul Hopkins said the group then decided to organise a show, adding: “Several existing flower show organisers around the country, and the Royal Horticultural Society were contacted for advice. With the increasing popularity of the Town Councils’ Keynsham in Bloom competition and the town’s entry into the South West in Bloom it was hoped that Keynsham Flower and Vegetable Show could be a success.” Humble vegetables of all kinds will become stars of the

show with classes including carrots, courgettes, potatoes and the longest runner beans. Flower growers will also be able to present their best blooms, potted or in vases. There will be a children's painting category and bakers will get the chance to put forward their best fruit cakes, Victoria sponges and cupcakes. Entry forms, which must be returned by August 6 along with entry fees starting at £1, can be collected from Keynsham Conservative Club at 22 High Street. More information is available from Paul Hopkins on 07812 709773 or at paulhopkins4@ blueyonder.co.uk. The show will be held on Saturday, August 10, at the Conservative Club, from 11am-6pm, with judging from noon. All are welcome cream teas and a barbecue will be served all day.

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Talking paper is 30 years old A team of volunteers will have plenty to talk about when they meet to celebrate 30 years of helping the visually impaired. Keynsham Talking Newspaper is marking the milestone with a tea party on Saturday, May 11, at St Dunstan's Church Hall. The charity records a tape each week of local news and features, which is then delivered free to listeners in Keynsham, Saltford, Midsomer Norton, Bath and Bristol. It has 80 volunteers, including editors, recording technicians and readers, and its own studio with equipment. As well as celebrating the anniversary, the team will also be marking the transition to digital recording using USB sticks, and the new equipment will be on display at the tea party. Bob Porton, one of the founders and a previous chairman, will also give a talk on the history of the charity. Call Keynsham Talking Newspaper on 0117 986 4087.

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May, 2013

Nostalgia Photo courtesy of Bygone Bristol

A horse and cart come to a halt in Albert Road â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perhaps to deliver coal to residents? If you have memories youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to share, write to Keynshamvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR or email news@ keynshamvoice.co.uk. For more on pictures and publications from Bygone Bristol, call 0117 942 3177.

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May, 2013

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News Despite the cold weather, it really is spring so what better time of year to take up walking on some of the West’s most scenic routes, which all begin at railway stations. Here, Ann Light, the co-ordinator for Wessex Wanderers, describes some of the routes and how your journey can begin at Keynsham Station

Food festival serves up day of fun An all-day event is on the menu for this year’s Keynsham Food Festival on September 14, located at the Scouts HQ on Ashton Way with plenty to do and see. All the family are welcome to watch the cooking demonstrations, take inspiration from the culinary ideas served up on the day and participate in a taster session or two. If you are a local business, restaurant or food producer

and would like to attend the Food Festival, either to give a demonstration or to book one of the trade tables at a cost of £25, contact Arlene Moore, food festival secretary, on 07528 713294 or email keynsham foodfest@gmail.com for more information.

Class unravels mysteries of mobiles

All aboard for walks! Want to get away from the maddening crowds this summer? Then why not come on one of our Wessex Wanderers’ Railway walks in 2013 and have a great day out? These walks, which are led by experienced volunteer members of the Ramblers' Association and begin from railway stations along the wonderfully scenic “Heart of Wessex” railway line, which runs between Bristol and Weymouth, are an excellent way of escaping to the countryside, seaside or visiting market towns without the need to drive. The line meanders through the deep, green Avon valley, winding between the river and Kennet & Avon Canal and emerging onto the broad Wiltshire plains and on into Somerset. As it enters Dorset, it traverses an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, before sweeping over the South Dorset Downs to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast at Weymouth. Our enthusiastic walk leaders, who enjoy the combination of train travel and walking, are drawn from all four areas through which the train travels, and despite the fact that we have been leading walks from 20 stations along the line for almost 20 years, leaders still find new and interesting routes. (You need not worry – the walks do not follow the railway line!) The walks are free (although

transport costs are not included), are open to non-members of the Ramblers and vary in length from three miles to 15 miles. We do not normally stop at a pub or cafe at lunchtime (so walkers need to bring their own food and drink) but at the end of walks there is often the opportunity to have a drink at a local pub or cafe with time to continue to socialise with fellow walkers. The next programme of walks commences on May 18 and finishes on October 9, and although the programme quotes the Bristol Temple Meads train times, as many locals will be aware there is a good train service at Keynsham Station. Indeed on Saturday, June 1, there will be a six-mile walk starting at Keynsham Station through woodland and parks via Brislington, Arnos Vale Cemetery and St Philips, ending at Bristol Temple Meads. And on September 14, walkers will follow a 10-mile route from Oldfield Park, via Newton-StLoe, ending at Keynsham. The 2013 programme is available from me, so if you would like one let me know and I will send you a copy. (As the Ramblers’ Association is a charity, a stamped, addressed envelope would be appreciated.) It is also available at www.avon-ramblers. org.uk/wessex. Ann Light, Wessex Wanderers Walks Co-ordinator, 0117 979 8628

People who feel they are being outsmarted by their smartphones or mobiles can sign up to a oneday course on how to use them. Norton Radstock College’s Keynsham Centre is offering the free session on May 15, from 10am-noon, which will cover points such as ending a call, switching off predictive text, browsing the internet and even some text speak, and there will be plenty of opportunity

to ask questions. The mobile phone course is one of a series of Wednesday sessions at the centre, which also include how to use social media and complete online forms. They are part of a series being introduced in May to coincide with Adult Learners’ Week, which runs from May 18 to 24. For more information, contact the Keynsham Centre on 0117 986 1662.

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Photo feature

Bike Shop by Joss Williams

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May, 2013

Engine 80104 at Corfe by Anne Law

Picture perfect Here is our second selection of work from members of Keynsham Photographic Society. Days out, nature and everyday life have inspired the keen photographers in this set of shots. Find out more about the group and how to join at www.keynsham photographic society.co.uk.

St Ives by Roger Harvey

Stothert and Pitt Cranes by Tom Caburn

The Gatherer by Linda Horne

Blue Dawn by Linda Horne

Heron in Keynsham Park by Linda Harvey

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May, 2013

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News

Double celebration for fitness club Members of Keynsham and District Mencap Society’s fitness club had two reasons to celebrate last month. As well as marking their first anniversary the group also received a grant of £1,680 from the Bath Half Marathon Fund. The club offers weekly exercise sessions to adults with learning difficulties and has proved popular, with its 22 places filled soon after its launch in April 2012. The club is led by instructor Nick Dewfall, with support from a team of volunteers. Laura Jefferies, activities

manager, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the success of the fitness club. We are delighted to see how much the members enjoy the classes and the benefits that they bring in respect of their health and general wellbeing. We are incredibly grateful to the Bath Half Marathon Fund for their support.” For more about Keynsham Mencap clubs, visit www. keynshammencap.co.uk. To join Keynshm Mencap or become a volunteer, call 0117 9865659 or email laura@keynshammencap. org.uk.

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Fear Hall Quiz night, 7.30pm. £6 for a table of four. BYO drink. Refreshments provided. To book a table telephone Vivien Pillinger 0117 9867798.

May 11 Keynsham Baptist Church, Christian Aid are holding a mini-market at 9.30am-12.30pm. There will be cake and plant stalls and an “as-new” stall. Tea and coffee will be served. Please come and support us!

May 12 Traditional Wisdom of Ecological Living with Mike Feingold at Baptist Church, High Street, Keynsham, 7.30-9.30pm. An exploration of sustainability as practiced in traditional communities around the world. An

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Have you got an event you would like to publicise? Or do you run a club, society or community group in the Keynsham area? Send details to emma@ keynshamvoice.co.uk or call us on 07715 770448 and we will make sure thousands of people in and around Keynsham know about it. inspirational and informative slideshow based on a lifetime’s work on community-led regeneration and self-suffiency. Full of valuable insights and inspiration into creating healthy and vibrant local systems to meet the needs of a community. An entertaining Cajun & Blues night with Manchester’s Bourbon Street Preachers. Timsbury’s Conygre Hall, BA2 0JG, 8pm11pm. Dance in cafe-style setting. Donation to the charity Look. Tickets £8 on the door. Bar, hot and cold food. Details from Kate on 01761 471245 or www. mendipmusic.com.

May 18 Who Let the Dads Out. St John’s Church is holding a monthly toddlers’ session specifically for dads, stepdads, grandads and male carers and their babies and

pre-school children. The next session will be in the Church Hall from 10-11.30am. Bacon butties and coffee will be available for grown-ups and refreshments, toys and craft activities for younger members. £2 per family. Contact John Wilkinson at johnandbeccyw@yahoo.co.uk for information.

May 21 Saltford Floral Club, Saltford Hall - 2pm. Going back to basics with a practice class on triangle shapes. We welcome novices to more advanced to take part and enjoy the company and a cup of tea. We are also taking part in the Saltford Festival in the hall on Monday, May 10, from 2-5pm. Try your hand at a new hobby including flower arranging in the Kelston Room. Tea and cakes available during this time. Shirley Hobbs – 0117 986 2924.

June 1 Bath International Music Festival on Tour: Bath Spa University, Wind Ensemble & Chamber Choir, 7.30-9.30pm, Victoria Methodist Church, Keynsham, tickets £10 / L2 concessions available. An uplifting evening of classical music from the talented musicians of Bath Spa University. The University’s Wind Ensemble offers a programme that includes Beethoven’s Octet in E-flat major, Op. 103. The evening is completed by the university’s chamber choir, who will sing a programme that reaches from the Baroque choral music of Handel to the work of contemporary British composer John Tavener. Tickets 01225 463362 or bathfestivals.org.uk/music. The Ship Inn is hosting the inaugural ShipFest this month – a free live music festival featuring six bands. Squeezed Middle, Halcyon Days, The Beau Ties, Slapface and the Hoagies, The Black Flamez and Stiff Little Bristols will all be performing at the event on May 25. The line-up will bring plenty of variety including Squeeze covers, 60s rock/pop, acapella, bluegrass,

May, 2013

What’s on in Keynsham on a regular basis Passionate about local libraries, communities and history, why not join the Friends of Saltford Library? The group organises author visits, coffee mornings, poetry evenings, writing workshops and visits to nearby places of historical interest. Call 01225 394041 or email june_wentland@bathnes.gov.uk to find out more.

Monday The Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion Keynsham would be delighted to welcome new members. They meet upstairs at the RBL Club on the first Monday of each month at 7.30pm. Occasional speakers, social events and outings, why not come along and meet new friends? Key Voices, Keynsham’s friendly community singing group, is looking for new members. Monday from 7.15-9.30pm during term-times at Castle School in Newlands Road. Cost £4 per sessions, £3 concessions. Call Roy on 0117 949 8587. Keynsham Writing Group meets in the library on second and fourth Monday of the month, from 2.30-4pm. We are a small, friendly group and welcome new members of all abilities. For further information, telephone Pat on 0117 986 4722.

Tuesday Free buggy walk and cafe meeting – first and third Tuesdays 9.45am meet for 10am start. Outside Keynsham Leisure Centre, Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1HE. (Behind the fire station). Email buggywalk@gmail.com for more information.

skiffle, country, reggae, new wave and punk. The beer garden at the Temple Street pub will be transformed with a stage, lighting, marquee and outside bar. Happy hour will run from 3-5pm. More details are available on the Shipfest 2013 Facebook page.

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KOPS = Keynsham Older People’s Social group. This friendly group of local, older people meet on the first Tuesday of the month at Community@67, (the old post office), Queens Road, Keynsham at 2pm. The group is free to join but members usually bring along a small item for the raffle table. New members welcome, call Paula on 01225 484510 or Phyllis on 0117 986 8623. Residents’ Fellowship Association, based at Hawthorn Meeting Room in Carpenters Lane, 2pm-4pm. We do different activities, eg. luncheon, quiz, games including darts and a committee meeting. On a Thursday afternoon, we do crafts and also we have a community garden. Call Jim Lingard on 01179861551. St Keyna Townswomen’s Guild. A friendly outgoing group of various ages who meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the Fear Hall, High Street, Keynsham, 9.45-11.45am. With interesting speakers and coffee/

A concert in the village of Burnett this month will uphold a tradition that is centuries old. The chamber choir of Red Maids School will present a concert of light music to celebrate the link between Burnett and their school, which was founded by the Lord of the Manor and prominent Bristol merchant John Whitson. His bequest of the manor of Burnett in 1634 was to provide instruction for the orphaned daughters of merchants and aldermen and said that the girls

“should go and be apparelled in red”. The next concert, which is held every two years, is on Thursday, May 9, at 7pm in St Michael’s Church, Burnett, BS31 2TF. Tickets are £20 and include the concert, a hot meal and a glass of wine. Tickets are available from Rosemary Turner on 0117 986 9232, Philippa Paget on 0117 986 4276 or the Parish Office, Keynsham. All proceeds go to St Michael’s, Burnett.

tea and biscuits. We have many sub-groups, including theatre and local interest trips, an art group, book club, Scrabble, walkers, singers, cards, bowls and more!

everything from James Taylor to Adele and perform with a live band! Adults aged 18-80+ are welcome to join; there’s no audition and no experience necessary. Call Emma Hutchinson 07793 983040 or visit www. choirjam.co.uk.

Wednesday ChoirJam, Keynsham’s fun pop choir, meets on Wednesdays 11am-12.30pm during term-time at Fear Hall, Keynsham. We sing

Friday If you’re interested in crafts and

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Wellsway Ladies Badminton Club, 7.30-9.30 pm at Keynsham Leisure Centre. For more details contact Jenny on 0117 9868331.

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May, 2013

meeting like-minded adults, head to the Labbott Community Room in Keynsham between 11am and 1pm every Friday. Join a very friendly mixed group who meet up every Friday to play badminton during adult recreation, 10am-noon at Keynsham Leisure Centre. All welcome regardless of ability. Just turn up or ring Clive on 0117 986 6793.

Saturday Healing on the Streets has returned; we can be found on Keynsham High Street every Saturday morning. We can be identified by our badges and the ‘A’ boards. Whether you have an emotional or physical problem we’re available to listen, talk and pray.

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Keynsham Crafts

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May, 2013

Profile: Brian Hardingham, cabinet making and handmade furniture I've been working with wood and making furniture for over 30 years now. I left school at 16 and my career started with a four-year apprenticeship in cabinet making and handmade furniture. I went to Highbury College on day release where I got my City & Guilds qualifications in cabinet making and handmade furniture. I left Portsmouth in 1986 and moved around a lot for the next few years. I went to work on building sites doing first and second-fix carpentry and a bit of joinery. I went to New Zealand for a while because their building boom was just getting started; and there I learned how to build timber-framed wooden houses! For the last 16 years I've been back in Britain working in the furniture industry again; working for a couple of small firms making bespoke furniture and cabinetry. I enjoy this very much because I get to see each project through from start to fin-

ish. There's no assembly line and it's challenging because every job is different and you never know what the next project will bring. I suppose you could say it's at the cutting edge of furniture design! Someone comes to me with an idea, it won't be anything you can find in the shops, and I have to find a way to make it happen. It's meant that I have been able to incorporate a lot of

different materials into my work, including glass, stone and metal, as well as wood. Currently I'm the workshop manager for Green Box Eco Developments UK and although this involves a lot of office work I still work on the bench. There are only a few of us in the workshop and we make all the joinery, bespoke kitchens, bedroom, and bathroom furniture etc for the

Green Box property development projects. Evenings and weekends will find me in my workshop at home where I work on projects of my own. It might be a bed, a coffee table, a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toy box (like the one pictured), a bookcase, or a piece of garden furniture. When my daughter was small I made a lot of wooden toys. If it can be made from wood I'll give it a go! I like to put different coloured timbers together and I enjoy processes like inlay and marquetry. I've recently taken up pyrography (using a heated pen-like tool to burn pictures and patterns into the wood); it adds another dimension to my work and can make what is already a very individual piece into something much more personal. If you're interested in any aspect of my work, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bespoke kitchen, a dining table, or a toy box, you can contact me at hardingham8@hotmail.co.uk.

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May, 2013

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In the Garden April brought little change in the weather; a little less cold, no rain but some sun. I have been watching with some anxiety an Escallonia Langleyensis shrub, usually very lively in spring. In the second week in April I saw the tiniest shoot on a branch, and now it looks quite healthy. The grass shows no sign of growth, but I have heard the first mower of spring. But now there are signs that is all proceeding as normal even if if is a bit late. Cowslips have shown in the last week, primroses appear in different parts of the garden, plum and damson flower (no frost, I hope), leaf on all the small shrubs, and a nice display of kerria. In March I checked around the garden, for something to do. The hydrangeas I thought would enjoy a good careful pruning, as all the fat new buds were forming. I set to work. The mopheads I took back to a pair of buds about half way down the branch, H. Annabelle I left as she likes slightly different attention, just

cutting back at the tip. Then we had a frost and a bitter wind. The next day I found the mophead badly scorched on the new buds, and the ends browned. How can one tell when the last frost has gone? There has been a great deal of writing in the gardening press on the topic of meadows. A dictionary definition is a flat piece of ground, for arable, with flowers. I read some time ago that the essential for a good meadow is impoverished soil. Not because the meadow flowers like poor soil but because there is very little competition from anything else. In a book written by Charles titled “Where have all the the flowers gone?” he recounts his story of farming from 1978. Realising how many wild flowers had been lost in the countryside, he set about research and has now built up a business growing and selling wildflower seed. Even a small patch of garden can be used, but it takes at least three years for the soil to become impoverished, and a couple more to establish flowers. And I thought it was just a matter of cutting the grass! What will May bring? Further flowering to apple and pear trees, grass becoming more lush after rain, all the shrubs with new leaf, bedding plants when the ground is warmer. There is a lot to look forward to!

On the Plot The recent improvement in temperatures and sunshine has started to show its benefits on the plot. The dry weather at the start of April allowed me to catch up with the digging and my plot is now ready growing vegetables. The seeds I eventually sowed under cloches have germinated, there are now green shoots on my “spring”-sown onions and shallots, and I have planted a couple of rows of potatoes as well as sowings of beetroot and leeks. The latter should be ready to transplant in early July. At home in a heated propagator the tomatoes, peppers and herbs are progressing well and by the time this article goes to press they will be joined by pot sowings of runner beans, courgettes, pumpkins, cucumber, celeriac and butternut squash. For runner beans I make a second sowing in a month’s time to minimise the inevitable glut. Most of these will not be planted out until the latter part of May and this is where my use of clear plastic bottles or containers comes into play. These tender plants will need protection until the risk of frost has gone. I cut the bottom of each bottle and remove the cap then place these miniature greenhouses over the plants. The

bigger the bottle or container is the better as this will allow for some growth but there must be a ventilation hole(s) at the top. Secure the base by slightly burying it in the soil to avoid them being blown over. In addition to frost protection they offer some moisture retention and are a handy deterrent to slugs and snails. One note of caution, if the weather gets really hot and sunny then there is a risk of scorching the tender leaves, so keep an eye on this and remember to water the plants regularly. By the end of May it should be safe to remove the containers to allow the plants to grow on. I don’t use slug pellets anywhere in the garden as they kill the natural predators as well as the pest but I will admit to the risk of losing some plants. One essential tool for the plot is a hoe which I use every time I visit mine throughout the growing season. It only takes a few minutes to hoe between the plants and if you do this frequently then you avoid the weeds taking over. Try to visit your plot at least once a week to keep an eye on the plants and water if necessary. If you are reading this and have yet to get started, don’t worry as there is still time but don’t delay for long. Remember: nature has a cunning way of naturally catching up.

Solutions on Page 45

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Good year for wildlife lovers Members of Avon Wildlife Trust’s Keynsham Local Group have looked back over a successful year of outings and talks. Chairman Dave Sage said in his annual report: “2012-13 has been another memorable, successful and thoroughly enjoyable one for the local group. In spite of some extreme and very poor weather at times, we still managed to complete all but three of our planned excursions.” Highlights, he said, included catching a spectacular dawn chorus, pictured, visits to Portbury Wharf and the Downs in Bristol to see the local wildlife and – on the Downs – learn more about the life of lichens. Find out more about the group and its events at www. avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

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May, 2013

Thought for the month with the Reverend Philip Simpkins, Keynsham Methodist Church I caught myself watching the television programme Off Their Rockers the other Sunday night where senior citizens play pranks on the public. It’s a bit like Candid Camera, Game for a Laugh, Beadle’s About and other such programmes from the past. Some of the pranks appealed to my sense of humour but one in particular turned out to be very moving. An elderly lady sat on a bench next to a trendy young man and asked directions to the station, then as a prank she pretended that she couldn’t hear what he was saying - over and over again. He became more and more expressive in his directions until finally he genuinely said: “Do you know what, I am going that way I can walk you there if

you like!” With that he got up, took her arm and they were last seen walking towards the station as he introduced himself and kindly asked her name. The sketch wasn’t meant to end that way but it did! His act of random kindness turned a prank into an expression of genuine kindness. Unexpectedly he turned out to be a great example to us all! Aesop wisely said: “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” Leo Buscaglia wrote: “Too often we underestimate the

power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Maybe we can inspire, encourage and surprise one another with simple acts of kindness that really do make a difference to someone’s life. John Wesley said: "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can."

Maybe we can inspire, encourage and surprise one another with simple acts of kindness

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Take a fresh look at the tasty food on offer in Keynsham High Street.

1. Fresh, tasty sausages – a wide selection from £2.75 per lb at traditional butcher’s Banables. 2. Fresh herbs will add flavour to your cooking – available from Buss’ Greengrocers. 3 & 4. Plenty of choice for your five a day from SK Fruits. 5 & 6. Delicious freshly baked bread and cakes from Bath Bakery. Bread from £1.25, cakes from 70p. Bath Bakery also has a welcoming café, open from 7.30am serving all-day breakfasts and a range of lunches. For special occasions, the bakery also offers buffet catering from £4.95 per head. Call in and see what they have to offer for yourself.

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Adult Fiction  The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce – recommended and reviewed by Kerri Retired Harold and Maureen Fry are in a rut. The only n time they talk is when Maureen nags him and they have spent the last 20 years sleeping in separate rooms. th i life lif The monotony of their changes suddenly when a letter arrives from one of Harold’s excolleagues. Queenie Henderson spent many hours with Harold during his working life as a rep for a brewery. Leaving the job suddenly, she promptly disappeared from his life. Now she has written to say her goodbyes: she has cancer and is living out what is left of her time, hundreds of miles away in a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed. When Harold leaves home, he only intends to post his reply to Queenie in a local post box. Ill-equipped and unsure why, he makes a split-second decision to walk north and not stop until he reaches her in person. He

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with Sarah Wookey from Keynsham Library contacts the hospice en route and pleads with the staff to tell Queenie that he is on his way and that she must live. From this beginning unfolds a journey of discovery. People and places, human nature and kindness, good actions and not-so-good ones, and all the while, clever little glimpses into Harold and Maureen’s past life together. As you read this novel, I guarantee that you will not want to leave Harold alone for one moment of his journey. I also felt a fondness for Maureen as, left all alone, she begins to find herself again. This is not a love

story, but a story of love and even the most hard-hearted of readers will definitely need a box of tissues. Non-fiction  Only Pack What You Can Carry by Janice Holly Booth The subtitle of this book is “My path to inner strength, confidence and true self-knowledge”. Written in a lively style and published by National Geographic, it’s a guide to travelling alone, on the understanding that “doing something for oneself, by oneself can be the most transformational step of all”. It outlines four key states of “being and doing” to help the traveller to self-knowledge and true inner strength: courage, solitude, introspection and commitment. A great read for both the novice and seasoned lone traveller. Junior  Tony Robinson’s Weird World of Wonders: British This is one in a new series of books written by TV actor and historian Tony Robinson. The

May, 2013

book’s characters, the Curiosity Crew, look at the weird and funny bits of history that children (and most adults) love. Did you know, for example, that the trend for tattoos in this country was started by Queen Victoria’s son, Edward? Other titles in the series are Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Bad Kids and Worst Children’s Jobs in History (this last one will particularly appeal to children!) Picture Book  When Martha’s Away by Bruce Ingman Have you ever wondered what your pet gets up to when you’re out of the house all day? Meet Lionel and his friends, and read all about their antics when Lionel’s owner, Martha, goes out to work. The tongue-in-cheek humour of this wonderful picture book really is a treat for children and adults alike. It’s a firm favourite of several of the library staff and regularly makes an appearance at Storytime.  Storytime is on Saturday mornings at 11am and is aimed at children up to eight years old.

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May, 2013

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For May, we meet Kenneth Fohlmann, chiropractor and clinic director at Hands-On Health Treatments

Tell us about your company Kenneth Fohlmann the principal chiropractor and clinic director originally hails from Denmark, and trained as a chiropractor in Bournemouth, nearly 30 years ago. He and his wife Marianne, who is a qualified nurse, returned to Denmark for six years before returning to the Bristol area, and establishing the first HandsOn Health Treatments clinic in Keynsham. The couple have two daughters and live in the area. Kenneth enjoys an active lifestyle and is a keen road cyclist, loves sailing, and is also an avid Tottenham Hotspurs fan! Our first Hands-On Health Treatments clinic in Keynsham was established in 1991, and we moved to our current premises in Temple Court (behind Iceland) in 1996. Hands-On Health Treatments is a clinic specialising in chiropractic, physiotherapy, and sports therapy. We also offer pilates classes and a rehabilitation gym. Kenneth said: “I loved the locality of Keynsham being close to Bristol, but that it has its own identity and community feeling which is why I wanted to practice here.” What services do you provide to the people of Keynsham? Hands-On Health Treatments has a team of over 20 staff, seeing over 200 patients a week. Kenneth is proud of the way the local community has taken the

clinic to its heart, saying: “Many of the Keynsham locals will come in to see one of the clinicians before going to their GP if they have back pain, and our pilates classes are a firm favourite with local residents.” The Keynsham clinic also has a free drop-in advice service, where you can be seen by a physiotherapist or chiropractor who can offer you practical advice on what to do if you are in pain, and discuss treatment options with you if applicable. The sports therapists at Hands-On Health Treatments are also actively involved with the local sports clubs, offering treatment and advice to the players of the Keynsham Rugby Club and Keynsham Town FC among others. What is the best part of running your business and working in Keynsham? All the team at Hands-On Health Treatments love being part of the local community and seeing our

patients improving their fitness and wellbeing first hand. We have easy access to our clinic located in the centre of town and designated parking means our patients don’t have to worry about parking when getting to the clinic for treatment. Also we love at lunchtimes to go to the great local shops! What makes your service different? We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service from the minute a patient walks in the door, our lovely team of receptionists are always there to make you welcome. You can usually be seen quickly at a time convenient to you. Our experienced clinicians are all qualified to be experts in their field, so each patient knows that we get to the real cause of the problem, and offer a solution that doesn’t involve pain killers to mask the pain. We have strong links with the Circle Hospital in Bath, all

the local GP surgeries, and often have visiting consultants give lectures for our clinicians and local GPs to keep up to date with treatment approaches and ideas. In our Keynsham clinic we have X-ray facilities, so on the rare occasion a patient needs an X-ray, our chiropractors are able to take and interpret an X-ray immediately so there’s no waiting around for a diagnosis. We can refer directly to a wide range of consultants with our links to the Circle Bath Hospital, and even send you for an MRI with little or no delay if you require. This year Hands-On Health Treatments has linked up to support Barnardos (South West) as our nominated charity, and we are proud to be involved in raising funds for this brilliant charity which does lots of great work in the Bristol area. What are your plans for the future of the business? Hands-On Health Treatments has become a significant part of Keynsham, and even though we have expanded to have other clinics in Downend, Kingswood, Midsomer Norton and Bath, we are delighted that Keynsham is where it all started. Kenneth said: “Our aim is to continue to offer excellent care and service to the local community, and have everyone in Keynsham enjoying a better quality of life without back and joint pain wherever possible.” Contact: Hands-On Health Treatments, call 0117 986 6578, email enquiries@hands-onhealth treatments.co.uk or visit www. hands-onhealthtreatments.co.uk.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 or 07715 770448. Got news? Call Joni on 07887 561567. Email: emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

E: news@keynshamvoice.co.uk

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Wellsway OIEO

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May, 2013

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Eveleighs are pleased to offer for sale this well-presented, detached, four-bedroom property enjoying a prime location in one of Keynshamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought-after residential areas. With amazing countryside views to the front this individually built family home offers flexible living accommodation with the following: porch, hallway, downstairs W/C, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, uPVC double glazed conservatory, playroom/gym/dining room, four bedrooms (master with ensuite), family shower

room, extensive driveway, parking with a good size mature rear garden. An internal viewing of this property is advisable to fully appreciate what is on offer. Contact Eveleighs on 01225 360360 to find out more.

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May, 2013

E: news@keynshamvoice.co.uk

Sport

Good start to sailing year In this picture Simon Woollen crosses the finish line to take his third “podium” finish of the new sailing year with Bristol Avon Sailing Club. Simon was sailing his Nimbus single-hander in near-perfect conditions of good steady wind and warm spring sunshine. The Spring Points series combined with the Easter Egg Trophy has two more races to run so all to race for! The club’s sailing course has just started and the 10 trainees of adults and children will all hopefully gain their RYA level 1 or 2 Certificates by the end of the Saturday-only course which finishes in mid-June. Last year the club’s sailing activities were seriously curtailed by the weather and the consequent rise in river level making sailing unsafe as well as difficult, but we are very confident that this year will be full of sailing activity. On April 21, the Avon Triangle Trophy Races will be held at the club’s sailing waters on the River Avon in Saltford. Competitors from Bradford on Avon and Chippenham sailing clubs will be competing.

Photo: Paul Olejnik

On June 9 in the afternoon the club welcomes those interested in taking up sailing at its open afternoon. If you are interested in joining our club and taking up sailing, contact our membership secretary Caroline Howard on 01225 874820, or contact the club on www.bristolavon-sailing.org.uk.

Quality tennis in last xtures April saw Fry I play out their one remaining Avon Winter League Division 2B fixture at home to Clifton I. While previous results had already confirmed that top spot and promotion was out of reach, a big win would have given Fry’s an impressive second place in a very tough division. Mark Long and Julian Hellyer played out the first match of the day with the Men’s Doubles. Despite some long rallies and close games, the Fry’s duo were outclassed by their opponents and suffered a 6-2 6-1 defeat. As has often been the case this year, it was up to the ladies to keep Fry’s in contention and Debby Williamson and Sally Difazio duly delivered with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win in the Ladies’ Doubles. With the tie all square after two matches, it was down to the Mixed Doubles to decide things. The first match saw Julian Hellyer and Debby Williamson take on Clifton’s first pair. The match was a high quality affair punctuated by some stunning volleying but ultimately Fry’s couldn’t match their opponents’ ferocity at the net and lost 6-3 6-4. It was then down to Mark Long and Sally Difazio to see out the final match of the fixture. In a long, hard-fought match filled with

tense rallies, the Fry’s pair threw everything they could at Clifton but couldn’t quite take their chances losing 7-5 6-4. With an overall 8-2 loss it was a disappointing end to the season but Fry I can be pleased with their efforts in finishing third in a division filled with quality players. While they had already played their final match the previous month, Fry II had to wait for other teams' final matches to be played in April to find out their final placing in Division 4D. Unfortunately there was disappointment all round as Fry II finished third, missing out on first place and promotion by only four points. Both teams, though, can be highly satisfied with a good season that can be built on in next year’s Winter League. With the warm weather arriving, attention has now switched to the upcoming Summer League season. Practice is well under way with the first matches due to take place on Friday, May 10. Now that the weather is warming up, perhaps you would like to dust off those racquets and join us at Fry Tennis Club. Please call Ann Smith on 0117 9862845 or email medwaysmith@yahoo. co.uk for more information.

Frys dominate in plate nal On Sunday, April 14, the Avon Youth League under-12s Plate Final was played at Somerdale, Keynsham. The match was between Whitchurch Sports FC and Fry Club Colts FC and the game was watched by around 100 people on Pitch 3 in front of the Fry Club. The game started and after

four minutes Frys took the lead and were dominating the game. Whitchurch defended well, however, and managed to counter-attack on a few occasions and managed a goal from a welltaken free kick, but Frys responded with another four goals. Final score was 5-1 Frys – well done, boys!

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Sport

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David takes top spot in contest Welshman David Donovan took the first prize in Keynsham Snooker Centre’s open snooker event on April 28 when defeating Sam Streams in the final. In earlier matches Donovan also scored wins over Mitchell Hooper, Aiden Murphy, Jamie Hawkins and in the semi-final Peter Chin. To reach the final Sam Streams scored wins over Rob Blackman, Chris Scott, Tony George, Andrew Rodgers and in the semi-final Paul Smart. David Donovan made breaks of 103 and 105 during the day. Mitchell Hooper defeated Harry Smith in the final to win Keynsham’s junior snooker tournament on Saturday, April 26. Aiden Murphy defeated Jamie Hawkins 8-7 in the final to win the junior pool event staged on the same day.

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May, 2013

Swimmers take the plunge for charity An 11-year-old swimmer has raised enough money to provide four hours’ care for a cancer patient by taking part in a charity event at Keynsham Leisure Centre. Chandag Junior School pupil Lauren White joined many other local swimmers as they dived in for Swimathon 2013, setting themselves 5k, 2.5k and 1.5k challenges. Lauren, who trains with the Bath Dolphin Swimming Club, set herself a 2.5k target after completing a mile during last year’s challenge at the leisure centre. On the day, she exceeded her goal and completed 5k in one hour and 44 minutes. The money she raised will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care along with funds collected by thousands of swimmers who joined the Swimathon between April 26

porters of Swimathon for many years. It’s a fantastic way to raise money for a worthwhile charity and improve health and fitness at the same time.” Funds raised during Swimathon 2013 will help Marie Curie nurses provide cancer patients and their families with free hands-on care and emotional support, in their own homes.

Your sport

and 28 at 615 pools across the country. Steve Williams, general manager at Keynsham Leisure Centre said: “Aquaterra customers and staff have been passionate sup-

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TRADE SERVICES

News

May, 2013

Business network holds first AGM Saltford Business Network held its first AGM on April 25 following the organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launch in autumn last year. Chairman Kevin Reeves hosted the meeting, outlining the progress the network has made since its launch with more than 30 members, a website and regular monthly events. He also outlined the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aims such as encouraging local people and

companies to use Saltford businesses and ended by thanking B&NES Council and Saltford Parish Council for their support, the steering group members who helped launch the network and all who have joined. Pictured are members of the Saltford Business Network executive committee with Neil Evans, Barclays business manager, who was a guest speaker.

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May, 2013

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May, 2013

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