Representatives from the Two Tunnels Group gave a presentation at Bath City Football Club on Monday, to explain their project to local community workers. The Two Tunnels Project aims to create a greenway along the disused Somerset and Dorset railwayline, linking East Twerton, Oldfield Park, Lyncombe Vale and Midford.

Some of the route is already accessible in the form of the Linear Park, which stretches from the Royal Oak Pub to Bear Flat. The project will open up the Devonshire and Combe Down Tunnels for public use, installing artistic lighting and CCTV similar to the example from Italy shown opposite.

The path will be suitable for walkers and cyclists, with new bridges to take people over Monksdale Road and Dartmouth Avenue so that they don't have to come into contact with traffic. There are many ideas for making the greenway attractive and interesting, such as the addition of picnic tables, water features, sculptures and explanation boards.

Speaker Frank Thompson said that The Two Tunnels Group are keen to promote public ownership of the path and would be delighted to hear from individuals and community groups wanting to get involved. Local schools might like to use the amenity for its historical or geographical interest, or to take part in something like tree-planting. The project will take about three years to complete.

You can register your support for the Two Tunnels Project via the website here: www.twotunnels.org.uk/mailinglist.html.

Joe, 30/04/08

Somer Housing have withdrawn their application to build on a greenfield site at The Hollow, Twerton.

The planning application provoked more than a thousand objection letters from local communities together with opposition from the Highways, Ecology and Landscapes Departments, Bath City Farm and Councillors for Twerton and Southdown. Not a single Bath Councillor was in favour of the development. You can read the Council's letter confirming the withdrawal here and access other papers relating to the planning application here.

Historical interest

One of the more interesting comments among the documentation comes from an archaeological advisor:

"The above proposed development lies in close proximity to the suggusted line of a Roman Road (SMR: MBN10308), which appears as a straight track on the 1885 Ordnance Survey, and now forms the northern boundary of the application area. This road leads towards an area of Whiteway where Roman burials have been found suggesting a farmstead or settlement in the vicinity."

"I would therefore recommend that an archaeological field evaluation (site investigation) is carried out before this application is determined."

Joe, 30/04/08

The news items in this section summarise parts of a newsletter recently emailed by Councillors Paul Crossley and Dine Romero for Whiteway and Southdown. If you want to receive the full newsletter by email, contact Paul Crossley . You can also read their Southdown blog here.

Mobile phone mast

Vodafone are considering an application to install a mobile mast at The Circle, Southdown (shown below). Councillors Paul and Dine have requested a meeting with Vodaphone to discuss the matter and will be asking them to consult local residents. Paul and Dine would like to hear the views of local residents over this issue.

Whiteway Respect Association

The Whiteway Respect Association will be holding it's first meeting at the Southside Centre, Kelston View, on Thursday the 15th of May at 11am. The meeting is open for all residents of Haycombe Drive, Rosewarn Close and Blagdon Park to come and discuss local issues and community development possibilities.

Deep Clean Keep Clean

Early in June the Council will be organising an exercise called Deep Clean Keep Clean at Whiteway, with the aim of involving residents in keeping the estate free of litter and graffiti.

Whiteway and Southdown PACT meeting

The next PACT meeting for Whiteway and Southdown will be held on Wednesday the 4th of June at 6.30pm. Venue details are yet to be confirmed.

Whiteway and Southdown Ward surgeries

Paul and Dine hold ward surgeries on the first Saturday of the month at Southdown Methodist Centre, The Hollow, from 10am to 12 noon. No appointment is needed but you may contact them beforehand if you wish.

Bath City Farm

Bath City Farm has Volunteer Days every Monday from 10am to 3pm. The Roots & Shoots under fives run on Tuesday mornings, from 10am to 12pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. [You can find out more about Bath City Farm on this website, on the Groups Page.]

Information from newsletter, 27/04/08

A Walking Group meets at the White Horse Pub, Shophouse Road, at 2.30pm after the Craft Group have finished their creative work. Some people turn up for the craft activities and then go on to do the walk afterwards. The walks are about an hour long and are brisk but not strenuous.

In the past the walkers have journeyed along the river bank, walked around Bath City Farm, been to the top of Twerton Roundhill, and trekked into town and back. This Wednesday a path through the Carrs Woodland nature reserve was chosen for the weekly exercise.

The Walking Group plan their route so that it brings them back to the White Horse, where they refresh themselves with glasses of water and ice.

Joe, 25/04/08

A defeat at home against Sutton United last Saturday has reduced Bath City's odds of reaching the play-offs for promotion to the Blue Square Premier league. Sutton played more incisively than had been expected and by half-time were leading 3-1.

City pulled a goal back in the second half, bringing the score to 3-2. Then, in the closing minutes of the game, an apparent goal from Dave Gilroy that would have levelled the score was called offside. Many Bath City fans left Twerton Park feeling that Gilroy's goal had been okay and that City's chances of promotion had been scuppered by poor judgement on behalf of the linesman. The video clip is of Sam Foley's goal against Sutton.

Get all the latest Bath City news here: www.bathcityfc.com.

Joe, 23/04/08

At the April Southside Interagency Meeting I heard news of some exciting developments for the Whiteway estate.

The Whiteway Respect Association is a newly formed Residents Association made up of people living in Whiteway. The group will be looking at important issues for Whiteway and possibilities for bringing improvement to that area. Sponsorship has already been found for a Saturday food and cooking club at the Southside Centre, Kelston View, and there are plans for a Saturday club for children aged 5 to 11 at the same venue in June.

The association will be holding a meeting at the Southside Centre on the 15th of May, from 11am to 1pm. Residents of Whiteway are invited to go along and join the discussion.

Also, Council-employed community development workers are preparing to lauch a boxing club at the Southside Centre, 2 evenings per week, from June onwards. Funding and a boxing coach have already been obtained. The club might expand into 2 sessions covering different age ranges, and there may also be opportunities for young people to gain coaching qualifications via the project.

Meanwhile, workers at Southdown Methodist Centre plan to run a children's holiday club for a few days at the beginning of August.

Joe, 22/04/08

You are invited to watch a short cookery demonstration, taste some healthy snacks and talk about healthy eating on a budget. This will be at the Connexions Centre, Bath, on Wednesday 23rd April at 2pm. Telephone Claire on 01225 473382.

You can download a poster for this event here: cookery demonstration poster.

Joe, 16/04/08

The Community Learning Service offers this free and fun activity where participants get together and enjoy trying something new! With a tutor's support, you can have a go at using Chinese brush painting techniques to produce a simple painting. Discover how to paint some traditional subjects like goldfish, bamboo and flowers. All materials are supplied.

The next session will be held at the White Horse Pub, Shophouse Road, Twerton, on the 23rd of April, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Watch a video clip of the first Chinese brush painting class here to see if you might like to go along.

The Community Learning Service will also be offering free information and advice about other training and learning opportunities. Telephone: Christina on 01225 396834.

Joe, 14/04/08

This is a creative group for pre-school children that uses all the senses - taste, feel, smell, seeing and hearing. It will be held on Mondays at Rose Cottage, Twerton High Street, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm (term-time only).

Prices: £1.50 per child; 50p for 2nd child; under 1 - free. Refreshments are included. Start date: 21st April 2008.

For more information telephone Lucy on 01225 451643 or visit www.twerton.com.

Information from flyer, 14/04/08