This is a summary of the lastest PACT meeting for Twerton which was held in St Michael's Junior School, Newton Road. The meetings are held several times a year and can be attended by any resident wanting to influence change in the area.

The last priorities

A need for more youth provisions in Twerton had been identified at the previous meeting in September. Councillor Gerry Curran said that he and Councillor Tim Ball will try to get funding for more youth workers as the Council comes together to plan the new budget.

Some facilities such as BMX bike tracks are being added to Pennyquick Park and the Brickfields playing areas as part of the Play Out, Hang Out scheme. For younger children, Councillor Curran and Kilda from the Community Play Rangers will attempt a Saturday club at Bath City Farm, starting on 7th February from 10am to 12 noon.

Another priority had been the need to install a bus shelter at Twerton High Street with particular concern for elderly people. Unfortunately highway restrictions prevent this from being possible.

Left: bike track being built at the Brickfields; right: Twerton High Street

At the last meeting people had expressed strong feelings over a bail hostel located in Redland Park. This issue emerged again last night, with one resident stating that he had been through "nine months of hell" and had only recently received a good response from the police. The hostel may close soon - see here.

New issues

The suggestion was made that the authorities supply more information on issues such as the empty properties at Pennyquick View. Somer Housing has applied to demolish the buildings but the process has been delayed by bats hibernating inside them. The work can begin after April when the bats reawaken.

PC Secker reported that two burgulars in Twerton have been put in prison, following a number of public phone calls to the police. He wants the message to go out that police can tackle crime better with more information from the community. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed. People were advised to make a 999 call if they see teenagers illegally riding on motorbikes, as the activity is a danger to others and the bikes could be stolen.

Concerns were raised about the local environment: litter in Carrs Woodland and by the stile leading into fields near Shaws Way, and fly tipping at Redland Park. Measures such as litter bins, dog fouling signs and a public skip at Redland Park were recommended.

Left: part of Carrs Woodland; right: the top end of Redland Park

Bruce Bennett who manages community clean-up schemes, said he would like to do more to improve untidy areas but he needs volunteers. To get in touch telephone 01225 394041. Councillor Curran said that anyone wanting to join the Carrs Woodland Forum which maintains the wood, could come to their AGM at the Royal Oak Pub, Lower Bristol Road, on 3rd February at 3pm.

The Hut

A campaign is underway to save The Hut Creche, as the Council has stopped funding this resource but allocated additional funding to the First Steps and Twerton Infant School nurseries. Creche Manager Val Rowlands said that a Sure Start official will be visiting on 9th February between 9.30am and 10am. There was agreement at the PACT that the nurseries provide a good service but the creche is still too valuable to lose. PC Secker said the creche is also of value to the police as a community focal point where information can be put out.

One of the Council's arguments for diverting funding to just the two nurseries, is that a research project called the EPPE found that highly qualified staff can have a positive impact upon children's development. That argument should be challenged as follows:

The same project also found that more months spent at pre-school can improve children's development. Since the creche offers the more affordable fees, in an area where even working people's incomes are low, its closure could force some families to reduce the months their children spend at pre-school, thereby adversely affecting their development. In fact another of the project's findings, that disadvantaged children spend less time in pre-school, suggests a relationship between affordability and length of pre-school experience (The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education Project: Final Report, p.ii).

All staff at the creche are trained up to NVQ level 3 and Val Rowlands is taking a foundation degree in Early Years. The creche offers an alternative service to the nurseries, and some parents and children find that the informal nurturing setting at The Hut better suits their needs. The importance of empowering people to choose the services that are appropriate for them is recognised by the Government (Building on Progress: Public Services, ch. 5).

New priorities

Then it was time for people to vote on which three issues should be tackled. These turned out to be: 1) Bail hostel at Redland Park; 2) Ways to reduce litter and fly tipping; 3) Support the Save The Hut Creche campaign.

Joe, 30/01/09

A campaign has been underway to persuade the Council to reverse its decision to stop funding The Hut Creche in Twerton. The creche is one of many children's services provided by Bath Area Play Project but has laid off staff as it tries to continue for as long as possible without funding.

Parents who will be affected by the closure have organised a petition and found people glad to demonstrate the strength of feeling in the community by signing it. Many people have taken the time to add a comment alongside their name, explaining why they think the Council's decision is a mistake. One individual wrote:

"I find it utterly incomprehensible how such an asset to the local community has to close due to lack of funding, at a time when single parent families and families on low incomes are being told they have to return to work. The Hut Creche provides much needed support and vital early learning to both adults and children."

Some of the petition to save the creche

The campaigners have also received support from professionals who work with parents and children in the area. Local teachers have made the petition available for parents to sign at Twerton Infant School and St Michael's Junior School. Headteacher of Twerton Infant School, Mr Mattausch-Burrows, has said:

"Funding is always difficult but the creche does provide something for local people which is not provided by anything else. Not every service which is vital for people can be self-supporting, no matter how much people need it." (Bath Chronicle, 15th January 2009)

Two health visitors based at St Michael's Surgery and the Beehive Surgery, run baby clinics at Twerton and Southdown. They are on the side of the creche and have added their names to the list of protestors. Meanwhile, council-paid children's workers have agreed that the cutback is wrong but declined to sign the petition in case of repercussions.

If you would like to sign the petition, you can go to The Hut, Newton Road, between 9am and 3pm on weekdays, ring the bell and sign it at the door. You can email your concerns to the Cabinet member for Children's Services, Councillor Chris Watt .

Joe, 26/01/09

100 goals

Footage of Bath City's 100 greatest ever goals will be shown on Friday 30th January at 7.30pm, in Charlie's Bar, Bath City Football Club, Twerton. Former players such as Randall, Birdy and others will be there. Entry is £4.

Dentist

St Michael's Dental Surgery at Walwyn Close, Twerton, accepts children and adults but does not have enough patients. If you want to register, the number to ring is 0845 1206680. It is open weekdays 9am to 9pm and weekends 8am to 5pm. You can also book into pain slots at Dental Access Centres and get out of hours services on the same number.

Child-safe initiative

Clubright is a child protection initiative set up by Child-Safe and Avon and Somerset Constabulary. The free scheme provides clubs and organisations involving young people with a seminar and Clubright resource pack, to help put in place child protection measures. The Clubright resource pack will be launched at Bath Guildhall, on Tuesday 24th February from 6pm to 9.30pm. To book your free place, telephone Tara on 01225 842504.

Joe, 26/01/09

The football team of the Full Moon Pub, Twerton High Street, has been going for around 17 years and is called Full Moon Sports. On Sunday they played Bath Spa University at Newton Park in the Bath and District Football League.

Full Moon Sports scored in the early minutes of the game but then a sending off meant that they were down to 10 men for the rest of the match. The team felt that the referee's judgement had been wrong and when Bath Spa were awarded a penalty, from which they scored, the players were a bit demoralised.

Left: The Full Moon Pub; right: Dan Scott prepares a shot at goal

In the second half, The Full Moon had the better end of the sloping pitch but it was Bath Spa that scored again, taking a 2-1 lead. The Full Moon side created a number of opportunities including a superb free kick by striker Dan Scott. But the Bath Spa keeper produced some great saves to prevent the pub team from levelling.

When the two sides clashed last November, Full Moon Sports beat Bath Spa 2-0. Currently the pub is third place in the Second Division. I made a short video clip of some of the team's attacking chances on Sunday which you can see here.

Joe, 19/01/09

Here is a write up on the lastest PACT meeting for the Southdown Ward which was held at Southdown Methodist Centre, The Hollow. The meeting was well attended and fast moving with lots of topics discussed.

Last meeting's priorities

Concerns about the Whiteway Road and lorries had been raised at the previous PACT in October. Councillor Paul Crossley reported that the Road Safety Engineer is looking at Whiteway Road from Pennyquick to Odd Down, with the aim of slowing traffic so as to make it a less attractive route for lorries and safer for pedestrians. Two possibilities are a lower speed limit at Pennyquick and ensuring that the local speed camera is equipped to record speeding motorists.

Councillors want a signalised pedestrian crossing outside Haycombe Cemetery and a road sign at Pennyquick to warn motorists of the turning into Newton Road. During the talk it emerged that the Jubilee Pub on the Whiteway Road is up for sale and may not return to being a pub, as the firm Greene King has been unable to find a landlord for it.

Left: The Jubilee Pub; right: Pennyquick Bottom January 2008

Another concern had been a dark alley at Wedmore Park. Councillor Dine Romero reported that a light will now be installed. People had also mentioned a bench at Blagdon Park that attracted youths to congregate, leading to antisocial behaviour. PC Mark Brain said police had patrolled the area and sometimes found youths chilling out there but never causing a problem. Somer Housing has decided to remove the bench.

Somer Housing held a recent consultation with residents of Roundhill Park, over the play area that is to be built where the old one has been removed. A further talk is scheduled for 4th February, late afternoon, at Southdown Methodist Centre.

Current issues

A charitable trust called RE:generate has begun an 18 month project in Whiteway, to help people express their opinions and empower them to develop the facilities they want for their community. Nick Gardham reported on progress so far. About 100 people have already been engaged with, and a number of projects that people would like to set up have been identified.

Claire James representing the Children's Society, spoke on how its work has reduced fear in a part of Southdown by breaking down barriers between young people and old. The Children's Society is now working at Southside Youth Centre, teaching young people how to form constructive relationships with others. It is looking for adults who want to be trained to build bridges with young people in their community. If you feel that could be you, please get in touch.

Councillor Crossley mentioned some matters posted in the latest Southdown e-news. A bus shelter to be installed at Haycombe Drive opposite Rosewarn Close will help the elderly population at Blagdon Park. And the YMCA is looking to expand its gym at the bottom of Roundhill by 35 percent so that facilities for youth can be included. Planning permission has been granted but there is some way to go in getting the funding.

PC Mark Brain said that the police would be starting a series of high visibility patrols in Whiteway and Twerton to deter criminals. This "week of action" would hopefully be repeated from time to time in the future.

Head Teachers of Southdown Infant and Junior Schools, Sue Adams and Teresa Austin, talked about how the schools are required to produce a "Travel Plan" to cut the amount of traffic transporting children to school. They will put together an initiative to encourage parents to walk their children to school. However, they appreciate parents' safety concerns in being expected to do this. For example the schools need slow down signs out by the road to reduce the risk of an accident.

Jenny Hopton who manages the Southside Youth Centre gave an update on a cafe that is being developed there. It is roughly a month away from completion. The cafe will initially be a place for young people to drop in but will hopefully open for the whole community about a year from now.

New priorities

Then it was time for people to raise new issues of concern and vote on which should be tackled. It was recommended that a Post Office counter be set up in the Co-op or Tesco at Southdown. Another idea was that the new Southdown Association could apply for funding to establish a "Friends of Roundhill" group to improve the nature reserve at Roundhill.

A footpath across Hillcrest Field was suggested, as well as more litter bins. There was also an idea to install a security gate across an alley leading into Blagdon Park, but this proposal seemed problematic in that the alley is a public right of way.

The new priorities which people voted for were: 1) Post Office counter; 2) More litter bins;
3) "Friends of Roundhill" group; 4) Footpath across Hillcrest Field.

Joe, 15/01/09

Staff at a well known Twerton creche based at The Hut, Newton Road, turned up for work as usual today despite the Council having withdrawn its funding of the facility. The Council has decided to concentrate investment in First Steps Twerton Children's Centre - a move which it believes offers the best compromise between services and value for money.

But the decision has drawn criticism and a Bath Chronicle reporter arrived at The Hut on Monday to record the concerns of upset parents. The debate is not centred around which nursery is best. As Twerton Councillor Tim Ball has said, "We have three excellent nurseries in Twerton." Instead protestors are pointing out the particular advantages that the creche, which is part of a range of children's services operated by Bath Area Play Project, has to offer.

One of the two rooms where children play

Over its 16 year history The Hut has gained something that does not come easily: a good reputation and the confidence of local people spread through the community by word of mouth. Creche Manager Val Rowlands says that all parents sometimes need a couple of hours free time and not everyone has relatives who can take care of the children. So local parents contact the creche when they need to go to the dentist, the hospital, a job interview or even a funeral.

In addition there are 42 regular children who use the creche facility at The Hut, with different children present every morning and afternoon. Staff point out that not all parents feel comfortable in a large nursery centre with lots of people. In fact The Hut has been specifically recommended to at least one parent who needed a smaller setting.

"The creche allows me to be a mum and to work."

It is not only parents who sometimes need the type of childcare offered by The Hut. A certain kind of child is helped by the fact that the rooms are not large and overwhelming. Children prone to 'attachment' dislike being apart from their parents, and staff are able to work with parent and child together in an informal setting. The children learn through play, which offers a different option to nurseries with a formal educational foundation.

The Hut also provides a means for parents with small children to find employment. Some of the staff have their own children who attend the creche while their parents are paid to work there. As Katie Burroughs and Christy Rowlands explained, the facility can enable someone to be a mum and work at the same time. Having local young mothers among the workers helps form a team that other parents can relate to.

When a policy does not take into account the way that people think and feel and respond, what seems like a 'value for money' decision can be a false economy in which an important support system is taken away. Councillor Tim Ball is challenging the Council's decision and inviting Cabinet members to visit The Hut themselves. From the start the decision makers should have sought more input from grassroots contact with the service providers and users.

Joe, 12/01/09