The latest PACT meeting for Southdown and Whiteway was held at St Barnabas Church last Wednesday. The three priorities voted for were: resurfacing of roads, young people hanging out behind The Beehive Surgery and vehicles that deliver to the Co-op damaging parked cars. For a detailed report on the meeting click here.

The meeting was again the scene of disagreements between police and residents over whether Southdown Road is a hotspot for speeding motorists. The police point out that they have monitored the road many times using special equipment and not found speeding to be an issue.

Bone of contention: Southdown Road

Residents however, feel that they know speeding is a problem because they see it going on. From their perspective the checks are faulty because they are done at the wrong place or time, or because motorists slow down when they see the equipment.

The dispute highlights one of the weaknesses of the PACT process: the lack of resident involvement in developing solutions to problems. At the last PACT some residents volunteered to do a community speedwatch if given the right support.

A community speedwatch would have enabled residents to prove that speeding is an issue, or to find out for themselves that it is not - depending on the reality. But the idea was not followed up and now residents go on protesting about speeding because that is all they can do.

Joe, 18/04/10

Bath City FC

Following a 2-0 win over Staines Town at Twerton Park on Saturday, Bath City FC are in a good position to reach the play-off matches for promotion to a higher league (Blue Square Premier). City are now sixth in the table and another two wins and a draw from the remaining three games will almost certainly secure a play-off spot.

Golden Fleece

Meanwhile The Golden Fleece Pub football team has reached the semi-final of the Secretary's Cup in the Bath and District Football League. The game will be played on 18th April at Lansdown Playing Fields. If they get through to the final, that match will be played at Twerton Park.

Young people

If you are 16 to 19 years old and need a job or college placement, you can call into Southside Youth Centre, Kelston View, every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 4pm. Connexions will also be there to help. They can help you find jobs and college courses, write CVs, use interview skills and fill in application forms. Pop in and have a look.

Phone mast

A campaign to oppose the installation of a fifth phone mast in Twerton near to the infant school, has resulted in the Planning Department receiving 180 objections so far. For more information on the campaign see here.

Joe, 12/04/10

Transition Bath is a group that cares about the environment and our future. It supports moving to a low-carbon local economy and a positive, more self-reliant community.

The group will be showing films at The Dolphin Pub, every Tuesday from April 27th. This is a Transition Bath event for this end of Bath. To see the list of films click here.

The group has also started having monthly socials in the Lounge at the back of The Bell in Walcot Street on the last Monday of the month. Meet with others who are aware of the need for a transition from a time of cheap and abundant oil to a time of scarce and expensive oil. Arrive at 7pm for 7.30pm and bring food to share if you want to eat. The bar will be available.

Information from Afrel Pounds, 12/04/10

Here are some photos of Whiteway by Mr John Rawlings. The top photo is of a new tree to replace one cut down recently at Whiteway Circle, near the bus stop. The bottom photo is of a double rainbow over Haycombe Drive.

Click on the pictures to see them large size.

Photos by John Rawlings, 07/04/10

The young lady in the picture is painting a practice panel on the hoarding near the play area at the end of Newton Road. It is ahead of an event pencilled in for next Tuesday 6th or Wednesday 7th April, depending on the weather (weather for Tuesday is looking good at the moment).

The event is aimed at local kids and the aim is for them all to paint a panel. The young lady is part of the event and the word "Penny" refers to Pennyquick.

News and photo by John Rawlings, 05/04/10