Roger Symonds and Cherry Beath

For the past three years or so Roger, and latterly myself, have badgered the Council, chased up, flagged up, walked round with Highways Officers, drawn up lists and so on, in the cause of the removal of the “Temporary” yellow lines installed because of the stabilisation work needed around particular areas of the village. The yellow lines were signed off to be removed a long time ago, and finally, after repeatedly raising the issue (plus a string of other highways jobs in Combe Down)  and our questions to Charles Gerrish, the Cabinet Member responsible at last weeks Cabinet Meeting, and  further contact with The Parking Manager, we have  now been told the work will be scheduled for August.

Seeing is believing of course… but one of the big hold ups was that a Traffic Regulation Order had to be advertised, which included other parking changes in other areas, and objections to those meant a further delay. The removal of these lines will allow a few more parking places along from the School towards the Summer Lane junction, and one or two elsewhere.

Residents are wanting to know more about this proposal to have some form of artworks to commemorate the Historic Combe Down Stone Mines and the lengthy and unique process of stabilisation. We have asked The Stone Mines Team to send out a newsletter with a full update on this, and this is to go out shortly.

In short, as most of you know, English Partnerships are putting forward funding for this to happen, which is specifically earmarked for the art project and not transferable. It is also proposed to have a commemorative book, which will document some of the history, and reflect the personal stories and perspectives of residents and others who have been involved.  It is also planned to locate an interpretation Centre in Ralph Allens Yard (just down from The King William Public House) which will include something of an underground experience.      

Art Project Managers have now been appointed, Frances Lord and Steve Geliot, who work together as a team. They are based in East Sussex, and between them have a broad range of experience in devising and delivering public art projects. They will be responsible for selecting the Artists and particular works for this project, and are keen to get to know the people and the area, to help them understand the context of this project, and sensitively develop proposals that are appropriate to Combe Down and it’s residents. This is a crucial aspect of this project, and one which I have flagged up many times.

I have been very impressed with Frances and Steve, who appear to be very committed, and excited about Combe Down, and sensitive to the issues of how the Mines have impacted residents. They have already been up to start to explore Combe Down and have been down the mines, prior to their interview. They will be out and about the village from time to time, and want to meet and consult with the people of Combe Down.

From what I have seen of their work it is excellent, environmentally sensitive, and they both are very enthusiastic and engaging. Steve Geliot is an artist as well as a Public Arts Manager. To find out more about them do have a look at their websites:

http://www.franceslord.com/

http://www.stevegeliot.com

Let us know what you think.

We received the useful information below about Summer Holiday Activity Courses from one of our local residents who is Active Lifestyles Manager in the Sport & Active Leisure Team in the Council:

Summer Activity Camps

July 28th - Aug 1st Chew Valley School 

Aug 4th - 8th - Wellsway School

Aug 11th - 15th – Wellsway School

Aug 18th - 22nd - Culverhay School

9:00 am – 3:30 pm, £15 per day or £60 for all 5 days.

Open to 8 – 16 year olds (Support available for children with additional needs)

Activities: Basketball, Badminton, Football, Swimming,Lacrosse, Tennis, Hockey, Cricket, Dodge Ball, Rounders,Softball, Tag Rugby, Multi skills, Fun games, Water Fights,Archery, Martial Arts, Street dance

N.B. Specific activities will depend on availability and location.

Plus sporting demonstrations and great prizes.

To book a place use the

Also for young Rugby enthusiasts, have a look at:

http://www.bathcombinationrugby.co.uk/images/Summer%20camps%20flyer%20-%20final.pdf

These seem good value, we are all being encouraged to get more active whatever our age and abilities. Find out more from the Sports & Active Leisure Team link: www.bathnes.gov.uk/getactive

Combe Down school now has one of Bath’s famous pigs. It’s called ‘Twinkle’. The school’s new logo of stars prompted the name. First choice was ‘Dazzle’, but another pig had already been allocated that name. The photo shows Roger with the artist and some of the children. the children are already playing the ’spot the pig’ game and are looking forward to Combe Down’s other two pigs. One sponsored by Hydrock in the work site and another sponsored by Davis Langdon and installed near the Co-Op.

Isn’t it just typical that Wednesday this week was so wet, and many of us were on our bikes steaming down at 8am -ish to the Abbey Square, to be rewarded with a cup of tea and croissants, taking advantage of the “Bike Doctor”, from Avon Valley Bikes in Bath, giving our bikes a health check, and to be able to chat to other intrepid bike riders.

This is old hat to Roger who habitually bikes all over Bath and elsewhere, including the continent, I  bought my bike a year ago and am absolutely fine getting into Town, (well it is all down hill from Foxhill…) and  around Combe Down, after first getting up that bit of a hill into Foxhill road!! but I have been known to quite often get the bus back up. My bike folds so this is helpful. I have been getting to all my meetings this week on the bike. 

Tell us what you think about bikes and how the Council could improve bike usage in Bath.

“Polyclinics” are being brought in by the Government, this is a system to have GP led Surgeries, incorporating other multi-discipline care, more associated with care usually given from Hospitals.

These clinics are being touted as the future of the NHS, with the Govt wanting to see 150 built across England.

But how do these multi-purpose clinics, often dubbed super GP surgeries, work? And what are the consequences for hospitals?

Many GP’s are unhappy with the idea, and have set up petitions in surgeries in Bath and around the Country.

There have been a number of articles in the Press, you might find these links of interest:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7431894.stm 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article3380852.ece

We will be discussing these proposed clinics on the BANES Health overview and Scrutiny Panel next month, which I sit on. Don Foster has also set up an on-line survey seeking residents views, if you are interested in taking part, here is the link: http://www.donfoster.co.uk/newsarticle.php?id=218

I would be interested in the views of Combe Down residents, so do contact me with your thoughts.

On a further related tack, your health views and ideas are important:

B&NES PCT and B&NES Social and Housing Services are looking for people‘s ideas and views on local plans for health and well being for the next three to five years.

There are three meetings:

St Luke’s Church Hall, Wellsway, Bath - Wednesday 16 July 2 - 4.30

Key Centre, Keynsham - Tuesday 22 July 10 - 12.30

Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton - Thursday 24 July 10 - 12.30

To book a place please contact: events@thecareforum.org.uk or telephone Katharine Gonzales or Ronnie Wright at The Care Forum, 0117 9654444.