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 is 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.

The Two Tunnels website is at: www.twotunnels.org.uk.

Joe, 30/04/08

Somer Housing has withdrawn its application to build on a greenfield site at The Hollow, Twerton. You can read the Council's letter confirming the withdrawal here.This is good news for all those who protested.

The planning application provoked more than a thousand objection letters from local people, together with opposition from the Highways, Ecology and Landscapes Departments, Bath City Farm and Councillors for Twerton and Southdown. Not a single Bath Councillor turned out to be in favour of the development.

Historical interest

One of the more interesting comments among the related 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 of the Southdown Ward. 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 is considering an application to install a mobile mast at The Circle, Southdown. 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 residents on this issue.

Whiteway Respect Association

The Whiteway Respect Association will be holding its first meeting at the Southside Centre, Kelston View, on Thursday 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.

Ward surgery

Paul and Dine hold ward surgery at Southdown Methodist Centre, The Hollow, on the first Saturday of the month 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.

Information from newsletter, 27/04/08

A Walking Group meets at The White Horse Pub, Shophouse Road, on Wednesdays at 2.30pm. Some people turn up for the craft session 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. On the day when I attended, a path through the Carrs Woodland nature reserve was chosen for this 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 City fans left feeling that their chances of promotion had been scuppered by the poor judgement of the linesman. The video clip is of Sam Foley's goal against Sutton.

Joe, 23/04/08

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

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 15th May from 11am to 1pm. Residents of Whiteway are invited to go along and join the discussion.

The Amateur Boxing Association is 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 be opportunities for young people to gain coaching qualifications via the project.

Joe, 22/04/08

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, on 23rd April from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. The Community Learning Service will also be giving free advice about other training and learning opportunities. For more information telephone Christina on 01225 396834.

Joe, 14/04/08

Splat and Splodge is a creative group for pre-school children that uses all the senses - taste, feel, smell, seeing and hearing. It will be held on at Rose Cottage, Twerton High Street, on Mondays 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