Twerton Park was the setting for an experience of Chinese culture on Sunday, when the Bath Chinese and East Asian Group held their Chinese New Year festivities in one of the community rooms. Around 150 people turned up, about a third of whom were non-Chinese. The celebrations began with music and dancing by the children of the Fun Mandarin Dance Group, who performed traditional Chinese dances such as the Red Ribbon Dance.

Then there was a lively display by a team from Bath's Wutan Martial Arts, before lunch. The meal consisted of all kinds of Chinese favourites including roast duck, honey roast pork and spring rolls. After the meal there was more dancing and a girl called Connie performed some solo dances. She is shown below doing a Tibetan dance.

Then came the vibrant Dragon Dance enacted by children and adults from the Gloucester Chinese Society. The dragon is viewed as a positive creature in Chinese traditions. Prizes from a raffle were given out at the end of the New Year event. Those who missed out on the festivities can sample some Chinese snacks and learn how to play Mah Jongg for free at The White Horse Pub on 12th February, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Joe, 10/02/08

A new day group is meeting in the Church Rooms at the top end of Twerton High Street. The group is for anybody in the community who would like to come along from 1.30pm onwards, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

One of the purposes of the day group is to foster community by encouraging people to come out of their homes and meet with others. The leader, Tim, is very open to ideas and suggestions as to how the day group should progress and what activities might be included.

Joe, 06/02/08

A film called The End of Suburbia will be showing at the Old Vicarage, near St Michael's Church, on Tuesday 12th of February. Arrive at 7.30pm for a showing at 8pm. The film will be shown again at the Old Vicarage on Saturday 23rd February. Arrive at 2pm for a showing at 2.30pm.

The End of Suburbia reveals how Cuba survived a fuel famine after losing access to Soviet oil in the 1990s. It therefore provides an example of how communities can triumph over difficulties through collective action.

Joe, 08/02/08

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Some dates for February 2008

Here are some details of events due to take place in January. Please pass on this information to anyone else who might be interested.

February 4th: Southdown PACT meeting

The next Southdown PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting will be held at Southdown Methodist Centre on Monday 4th February at 7pm.

February 10th: Litter pick at Bath City Farm

This will take place from 11am to 2pm in the grounds of Bath City Farm.

February 10th: Chinese New Year celebrations at Football Club

An exciting Chinese New Year fund-raising lunch with festivities will be held at Twerton Football Club on Sunday 10th February, from 12.30pm to 4pm. Performances will include martial arts displays and Chinese dances by professionals and volunteers. The event is organised by the Bath East Asian Chinese and Friends Group - a community group which may be of interest to Chinese and East Asian residents of Twerton. Tickets are available from the BEACh office at 27A Westgate Street (£15 for adults and £7.50 for children aged 3 to 10).

February 12th: Alpha Course

An Alpha Course for those interested in exploring the basics of the Christian faith will be starting at Rose Cottage, Twerton High Street, at 7.30pm.

February 12th: Chinese New Year event at The White Horse

The White Horse Pub at Shophouse Road will be celebrating the Chinese New Year on Tuesday 12th February, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. You can try some Chinese snacks, have a go at Mah Jong and enter a free raffle.

February 12th and 23rd: Community action film

A film called The End of Suburbia will be showing at the Old Vicarage, Watery Lane, on Tuesday 12th February (arrive at 7.30pm for 8pm), and again on Saturday 23rd February (arrive at 2pm for 2.30pm). The film documents the Cuban oil crisis and demonstrates the power of community to overcome hardships.

February 14th: Valentine's Day meal at The White Horse

Book a romantic three course meal for two, with a glass of bubbly - price £17.95, starting at 7.30pm.

February 14th: Prayer - does it make a difference?

A six week course investigating the phenomenon of prayer begins on 14th February at 7.30pm in St Michael's Church, Twerton.

Joe, 04/02/08

An information day will be held at Twerton Park on 12th February from 11am to 2pm, for voluntary or community groups in the South West of Bath that are interested in adopting the social enterprise model. Social enterprises are businesses that serve the community and reinvest most of their profits back into that purpose. The Big Issue is one example of a social enterprise.

The information day is part of a project funded by the Bath Communities Partnership, Business West and BANES Council, to encourage and help voluntary and community groups become social enterprises. The idea is that in this way, they will be able to create employment, be financially stable and increase the effectiveness of their work for the community.

To book a place contact Ellen before Friday 8th February, on 01225 338383. You can see a poster for the event here.

Joe, 06/02/08

The Chinese New Year is about to be celebrated twice at Twerton, first at Twerton Football Club and then at The White Horse Pub.

A New Year lunch with festivities will be held at Twerton Football Club on Sunday 10th February, from 12.30pm to 4pm. Performances will include martial arts displays and Chinese dances. You need to book early for this one. Tickets are available from the BEACh office at 27A Westgate Street (£15 for adults and £7.50 for children aged 3-10).

The free event at The White Horse will be held on Tuesday 12th February, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Try some Chinese snacks, have a go at mah jong and enter a free raffle. You can see a poster for this event here.

Joe, 05/02/08

St Michael's Junior School at Newton Road has been praised in its latest Ofsted report, following an inspection of the school carried out in December 2007.

The report began by describing the school as being smaller than average and serving an area of Bath that apparently experiences low levels of economic prosperity.

Here are some specific comments that the Ofsted inspectors made:

Overall effectiveness of the school

"This is a good school that puts children at the heart of all that it does..."

"Pupils' achievements across the school are good."

"The pupils' enthusiasm for school and the pride pupils have in it are evident... Attitudes towards work and to each other are good and pupils behave well in class and on the playground."

"Clear explanations at the start of lessons ensure pupils know what they will be learning. Pupils are keen to learn and this shows itself in their good work rate."

"Parents say that their children feel safe and well looked after."

The inspectors did feel that the pupils needed more explanation of what they have to do to improve, in the marking of their work. You can read the full Ofsted report here.

Gavin, a community worker from St Michael's Church, is constructing a colourful new website for the junior school at www.stmichaelsjuniors.org as part of the church's care for the community.

Joe, 04/02/08