The latest Southside newsletter will be distributed to 2000 homes in Twerton and Whiteway over the next week. It contains news on the development of the Southside Youth and Community Centre as well as recent youth activities. You can get a copy online by clicking here.

A focus group is to be held for people who want to set up a Twerton version of the Whiteway project Proud of Your Doorstep (POYD). This is a resident-led scheme to tackle fly-tipping in the neighbourhood. To get involved with the Twerton scheme, please come to the meeting at St Michael's Junior School on 30th March at 7pm. To find out how the Whiteway project started click here.

The latest application by Vodafone and O2 to install a phone mast at Poolemead Road near various children's facilities has been turned down. The phone companies may decide to appeal against the decision.

The decision on whether to close Culverhay School has been postponed until after the local elections, following the call-in of the decision that took place at the Guildhall on 21st March.

Joe, 23/03/11

A Twerton PACT meeting was held at St Michael's Junior School on 9th March. This began with coverage of what action had been taken over priorities raised at the previous meeting.

It had been reported that motorists were driving through the 'no entry' sign at Twerton High Street, ignoring the 'no right turn' sign at Connection Road near the Full Moon Pub, and parking on the pavement around Highland Road. PC Adrian Secker said that spot checks and patrols of these areas had been conducted but with limited success.

Residents had also said that the issue of motorbikes being ridden around Redland Park had cropped up again. PC Secker said that he had been able to take two motorbikes off the road, and that residents should call the police with details of new offenders or their bikes.

The discussion turned to other issues. People mentioned dog fouling, litter in Carrs Wood, and the builders who are constructing houses at Redland Park taking up parking spaces and damaging pavements with their vehicles. The builders have their own compounds where they can park.

Some residents thought about forming an action group to sort out issues such as fly-tipping and perhaps to organise other things such street parties.

It was suggested that a meeting be held for people who want to set up a Twerton version of the Whiteway project Proud of Your Doorstep (POYD). This is a resident-led scheme to tackle fly-tipping in the neighbourhood. To get involved please come to the meeting at St Michael's Junior School on 30th March at 7pm.

The three new priorities to emerge from the PACT were: 1) Dog fouling in Twerton; 2) Repair of pavements in Redland Park; 3) Formation of a Redland Park focus group.

Joe, 23/03/11

Stargazing on Roundhill

A stargazing session on the top of Roundhill attracted a lot of interest on Friday night. Organised by the William Herschel Society in conjunction with the Friends of Roundhill, about 30 people came to look through the telescope and binoculars, and to see some star constellations identified in the night sky.

The astronomers had lazer pointers that emitted a long beam of light against the dark sky, making it easier to show what stars and constellations were being referred to. Near the end a group of lively young people came onto the hill and learned some things about astronomy.

Events on Roundhill are advertised on the Friends of Roundhill website here.

Cooking at Bath City Farm

There will be a lot going on at Bath City Farm over the next few months. A kitchen is being installed so that the farm is able to run cookery classes. The first set of cooking sessions will be held with elderly people. Opposite is a photo of some kitchen units ready to be put in.

Bath City Farm is also hosting sessions for young people while the Southside Youth Centre is renovated. Recently there has been samba drumming and circus skills training for the young people to enjoy. There is a nice hub of activity at the farm for anyone who wants to get involved in the community.

For more information about Bath City Farm visit their website here.

Joe, 06/03/11

Last Wednesday a public meeting was held at Culverhay School to explain proposals to operate a 'free school' on the site, now that the Council has decided to close Culverhay by 2014. Some Culverhay staff and the Parents Action Group are applying to set up the new secondary school which would be free from local authority control and funded by central govenment.

The new school would be called Sirius Wood School and would be run by the local community to a large extent. Steering Group members Sean Turner and Sean Wyartt said that this is the test of whether the government's rhetoric on 'Big Society' is genuine. The community would be working with staff to help young people see the importance of education and acquire the skills they need to make the most of life's opportunities.

The audience of local people that filled the assembly hall, heard that the name Sirius Wood School was chosen with a view that the school would grow in strength like the newly planted Sirius Wood in the fields opposite. Sirius Wood School would be co-educational, inclusive and committed to the achievement of all pupils. It would serve 600 pupils, with a further 100 students being taught in sixth form college. Admissions would be based on proximity to the school.

Sarah Moore of the Parents Action Group spoke of how a secondary school was definitely needed in South West Bath. She went on to say that academic grades are very important, but grades alone do not make a child into an adult with all the experience necessary to succeed in daily life. A lot of support from the local community is needed for the plan to be approved by government. There is a petition in Steffi's shop at Mount Road, and forms will be sent out via primary schools for parents to register their interest.

A message of support from MP Don Foster was read out by his assistant, and Headmaster David Goucher of St Michael's Junior School in Twerton said that no other secondary school was involved with St Michael's in the way that Culverhay is. A new website supporting the cause has been put online at: www.siriuswoodschool.com.

Joe, 02/03/11

Gardening

The Time Bank's gardening scheme is starting up again. Get in touch if you would like to go out with the gardening team on Tuesday mornings from 10am until 12.30pm.

Art classes

The next set of popular art classes are to begin soon. To enrol for the next block of sessions on either a Tuesday or a Friday afternoon, please register an interest a soon as possible.

Book lovers

Discuss your favourite authors and books over coffee on alternate Fridays from 10am to 11am.

Other stuff

Basic keyboard tuition, power kite training and advice on Windows XP are now available. Is there anyone who can give basic French tuition, run a bike maintenance workshop or do hairdressing (especially for men)? Available as usual are: DIY/Decorating, Creative Writing, Knit and Natter at Rose Cottage, Cookery and IT/CV advice.

The Time Bank also has shelves full of books which are available under its Book Swap Scheme. If there is any skill you can offer or if there is something you need, please get in touch with the Time Bank for a chat.

The Time Bank is next to the chemist in Twerton High Street and has a website here.

Info from Angie, 01/03/11