On Saturday the former Manchester United player Eric Cantona visited Twerton Park. Welcomed by around 350 football fans, he answered questions about his time as a footballer and the new film, Looking for Eric, in which he stars. He also drew the winning tickets for a raffle, before moving on to The Little Theatre for a screening of the film which was watched by about 200 people. The two events will raise an estimated £12,000 for Bath City FC.

For junior Bath City fans the highlight of Cantona's visit to Twerton Park came when he presented the under-11 boys and under-13 girls teams with their recently won trophies! Last month the Bath City Youth under-11 boys won the Arnhem Cup in Holland, beating other European teams in a football tournament lasting 2 days. They also won the Midsomer Norton Youth Football League. Meanwhile the under-13 girls side won the Mid Wilts League, unbeaten throughout the season.

After meeting Cantona the two teams went on an open top bus victory tour around the city centre to show off their silverware. You can see a video clip of the tour here. Well done Bath City Youth and good luck to all the teams for next season.

Joe, 09/06/09

The White Horse Pub at Shophouse Road is fast becoming one of the best community pubs in Bath. Here are some of the events that will be coming to the pub soon.

A summer solstice table top sale will be held in the carpark on 21st June, from 11am until however long people want it to go on for. It will cost £5 to set up a table and you can sell whatever you want - but no livestock. Some folk are already planning to sell toys and baby clothes on the day. There will be a barbecue as well, with things likes burgers on sale for about £1. Money raised from this event will go towards a baby unit at the RUH.

A beer festival is scheduled for 10th to 14th July. A variety of beers will be specially brought in, and some live music is being arranged. Then in August there will be an exciting activity event where you can do firewalking. This follows on from the bungee jumping that took place last year.

The basic computer skills course is always popular with over 160 people having learnt how to use a computer at the pub. The next course will be held in September but you've got to book early because places get taken quickly. Telephone Jacqui on 07977 239782. A walking group meets at the White Horse every Wednesday at 2.30pm. They do a circular walk which brings them back to the pub for refreshments.

Joe, 05/06/09

Some pretty zany characters could be found in our part of the world at the weekend, when a special fun event organised by Cadbury the chocolate manufacturer came to Bath City Farm. The Fun on the Farm event is being held at public farms across Britain and has taken place at Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

The occasion at Bath City Farm was supported by large numbers of local families despite the showery weather. When I visited at midday Saturday, the manager estimated that about 350 people had already come along.

There was a face painting tent that proved very popular, with lots of brightly painted children running around the farm. And there was a massive cage with rope swings and nets for kids to clamber about in. Some folk had their photo taken with the giant monkey, but as you can see from the picture above, he turned a bit camera shy when I wanted to get a photo for this website. The other photo is of the karaoke.

You will be able to see more pictures of activities that went on by visiting here, clicking on Photos and then selecting Bath from the list of farms.

Joe, 07/06/09

A community action project to clear Whiteway of refuse and large unwanted items, has become a positive example of how local people can change things for the better when they harness the abilities and energies of their community. At the end of April a large number of Whiteway residents joined forces to plan and deliver a clean-up strategy in collaboration with the Council.

Over 3 days residents put in a tremendous 144 hours of voluntary effort, with one local person using their pick up truck to take a lot of the bulky stuff away. Now local people are thinking up new ways to keep the area clean.

Read the report on the clean-up by clicking here. It takes a moment to fully download but it is well worth seeing. The community at Whiteway did really well with people of all ages coming together and getting involved.

The work has been supported by a trust called RE:generate, which is helping Whiteway residents to develop the initiatives that they want to see for their community. Residents are encouraged to contact RE:generate with their views and ideas. Email Nick Gardham .

Joe, 02/06/09

Radio Bristol came to Twerton yesterday morning as part of a week long schedule of recording in different areas of Bath. Monday's programme began by focussing on topics to do with Bath in general, such as traffic congestion and whether the city has become too dependant on tourism. Then the radio station went on to interview people about Twerton.

A motor vehicle with a tall radio mast was parked outside the Coffee Link Cafe in Twerton High Street and some of the interviews took place in or outside the cafe. Presenter John Torrington spoke to our two local historians, Peter Little and Mike Chapman, and many other folk such as a mum named Kathy from the ABC Toddler Group at Rose Cottage.

Councillor Tim Ball who is serving his last week as Mayor of Bath was interviewed early in the day. And a local Bath City FC supporter named Jill spoke about the team. The left-hand photo shows Miriam from the Carrs Woodland Forum talking about bat walks which are held in Twerton.

Joe, 02/06/09