News
September 2023
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April 2021
Notice of the RCS 2021 AGM, Sunday 25 April
Due to the current exceptional circumstances, the AGM of the Royal Crescent Society and the AGM and Freeholder Meeting of the Crescent Lawn Company will be taking place this year virtually via the zoom video conference facility, on Sunday 25 April 2021.
Formal notice has been circulated by email, and if you would like to attend, please RSVP to the email, and a link with instructions on how to join the meeting will be emailed to you beforehand. This link will be for your use only and will be the same link for both meetings.
The formal notice of the CLC AGM and Freeholder Meeting will be sent to the freeholder/management company of your house as per the required process by the West of England Estate Management Company. Please do attend to represent your houses.
The Crescent Lawn Company (CLC) AGM and Freeholder Meeting will take place first at 6pm, followed straight after by the RCS AGM.
The timings of the two meetings will be as follows:
6.00pm Welcome
6.05pm CLC AGM
6.35pm RCS AGM
7.15pm Close of business
The CLC and RCS AGMs are separate meetings, so If you are unable to attend from 6.00pm, you are welcome to join the RCS AGM which starts at 6.35pm.
We look forward to you joining us on 25 April.
March 2021
Martyn Daniels 1952-2020: A Tribute
Please click here to read Annie`s wonderful tribute to Martyn.
New dates released for the Royal Crescent Concert Event
The promoter has now confirmed the new dates for the postponed Royal Crescent concert event, originally planned to take place in July 2020. The Olly Murs concert will take place on Thursday 14 July, 2022, and the Michael Bublé concerts will follow on 15 and 16 July 2022. If you have purchased tickets for these events, the box office through which you purchased your tickets will be in contact in due course.
As mentioned in our last newsletter, as part of the RCS lawn contract drawn up between the CLC and the promoter, an advance fee was negotiated for the hire of the Royal Crescent lawn which was donated to Bath Abbey's Music for Schools Programme as part of the Abbey Footprint Project, which was then generously match-funded by the Brownsword Foundation, bringing the total donation to £45,000.
Maintenance of the Royal Crescent Ha-ha
Many residents will have noticed that there are now areas of the Ha-ha which are in serious need of repair. The worst affected area where many stones have fallen down on to the lower lawn has been cordoned off but there is a large adjacent area of the wall which has become detached and is bowing forwards towards the lower lawn.
The CLC IS in the process of consulting with the appropriate experts and obtaining quotes to do the necessary work and will report further on the situation at the AGM on 25 April.
Could we gently remind residents not to use the Ha-ha as a route to and from the RVP lower lawn, or to allow their dogs to jump up and down the wall as this only contributes to further damage and potentially encourages park users to climb the wall and use the Royal Crescent Lawn as an extension of the park. We are collectively regularly asking park users not to sit on the wall.
Bath Clean Air Zone
The Bath Clean Air Zone became operational on 15 March and is the first Clean Air Zone in the UK outside London. It is a 'Class C' CAZ, meaning private cars are currently excluded from the charge, but most other categories of vehicle could be subject to a charge.
Inevitably there will be some initial disruption as drivers encounter the CAZ for the first time and, as with all traffic policies, there will be a need to monitor, and where possible mitigate, potential displacement of chargeable vehicles seeking alternative routes to avoid the CAZ. For example, it has been noticed that Park Lane is currently experiencing an increase in traffic due the the zone beginning just by the Argos on the upper Bristol Road, so vehicles travelling from the West are diverting left into Park Lane to avoid the charge.
9,500 businesses using or servicing Bath have been recently notified by letter by B&NES of the changes with offers of financial support made to upgrade their vehicle fleet, and 16,500 ‘early warning’ letters have gone out to users of non-compliant chargeable vehicles who were recently detected using the new CAZ street cameras which have been in place for some time.
There is further information on the B&NES website about charging, payment, exemptions, getting grants for adaption or replacement of affected vehicles.
Click here for more information from B&NES information on the Clean Air Zone
B&NES Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)
B&NES Council are considering proposals from residents to create "Low Traffic Neighbourhood' areas around Bath in order to reduce traffic and pollution and to make the streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
CARA (The Circus Residents' Association) has submitted proposals which the RCS has some concerns about in terms of the potential restriction of access into Royal Crescent and also the inevitable traffic displacement which will occur, particularly into Marlborough Lane and Buildings. We have expressed these concerns to both the Circus Residents' Association and our Councillors, Sue Craig and Andy Furse and have been working closely with the Marlborough Lane and Buildings Residents' Association on this. Along with many other surrounding residents' associations, we believe there should be a holistic approach in the planning of LTNs which carefully considers the impact of any proposals on neighbouring areas.
We have been assured by our Councillors that there will be consultation with residents before any plans are either trialled or put in place.
Royal Victoria Park, High Common
Being in lockdown has made us appreciate our public green spaces in Bath more than ever and this became evident when residents recently joined together to successfully campaign against the proposed change of use by the Council of the High common area of Royal Victoria Park (formerly the Approach Golf Course). This resulted in a U-turn in the Council's intention to sign a deal for the provision of “frisbee golf” on the High Common. Residents have been promised a 2 year pause by the Council during which period the High Common will be treated as a park and remain free for use by residents.
Looking forward, resident groups are intending to further engage with the Council and be part of the on-going discussions and planning process for the future of this valuable green space.
A Police Station returns to Bath
A long-awaited police station will be returning later this year to Bath city centre which will be situated in refurbished Council offices in Lewis House, Manvers Street. This is welcome news for both residents and the many tourists and visitors set to return to the city.
The Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens said: “We are delighted to be co-locating with our partners at B&NES in Lewis House, which will ensure the visibility of the neighbourhood police team and accessibility to the enquiry office.”
Our councillor Sue Craig commented:
“Lib Dem Councillors and Bath residents have been calling for the return of our police station for over five years, so this is very welcome news. I know the administration has been working hard to reach this agreement with Avon and Somerset Police."
"A police station is an important facility for a busy city with many visitors. We need that prominent presence, so people know where to go for help."
“Lib Dems have argued that a ‘proper’ police station needs to be visible, central and accessible to residents. This new facility fits the bill and we look forward to learning more details about opening hours and services in due course.”
February 2021
Bid for RVP High Common/Approach Golf Course Rejected
Please read below the article by local journalist Richard Wyatt, who covered the Council Cabinet meeting:
February 12, 2021
It's no surprise to hear the Council has decided NOT to appoint a new operator for the Approach golf course in Bath.
Lansdown Councillors Lucy Hodge and Mark Elliott were amongst many campaigners who have welcomed the move.
This follows objections they and many residents raised to the suggestion of an operator providing ‘golf derived activity’ rather than traditional golf.
B&NES Cabinet was required to formally conclude a six-months-long open procurement process and was presented with two options: either to appoint the one organisation to have submitted a bid or to choose not to proceed.
Meeting in virtual session, with a live broadcast to YouTube, Cabinet members heard from both local Councillors and 11 public speakers before voting unanimously not to proceed with awarding the contract.
In a joint statement, Lansdown Councillors Lucy Hodge and Mark Elliott said:
“This is the right decision for Approach golf course and Bath as a whole. Over the last week we have been in touch with hundreds of local residents who were concerned about the proposal under consideration. It’s clear that it is a special place to so many.
“Cabinet papers showed that the only bid on the table was for a ‘golf derived activity’. We could see a clear consensus view, which we share, that such an activity would not be acceptable to residents as a future use of the site. It’s a shame that no traditional golf operator has come forwards.
“We are relieved and pleased at today’s decision and welcome Cabinet members’ willingness to listen to residents. It’s quite understandable that the procurement had to run its course and that a formal decision needed to be taken.
“The key question now will be what happens to Approach golf course in the future. As ward councillors we feel strongly that we should take great care of this unique asset in the World Heritage setting where golfers, dog-owners, walkers, tobogganers and visitors of all ages enjoy exercise and happily coexist.
“In our view, there should be a lower-cost maintenance option for the time being. We will continue to listen to and advocate for residents.”
Note: the resolution proposed and approved unanimously by Cabinet was:
2.1 That whilst this bid is proceedable, the Cabinet are not satisfied that there are sufficient benefits to commit to a long term solution and will not be appointing Company A. 2.2 That the High Common is retained as public open space which should increase the range of informal uses on the site.
Richard Wyatt | February 12, 2021
Click on the link below to read a Bath Echo news article which also covered the meeting and contains some useful quotes:
https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/politics/bid-contract-approach-golf-course-rejected-93525/
RVP High Common, Approach Golf Course
Dear Residents and Friends
Justin Draeger, the Chair of the Federation of Bath Residents' Associations (FOBRA) has asked for local residents' support by signing a petition in order to help safeguard this beautiful part of Royal Victoria Park. Please read Justin's letter below followed by the link to the petition which we would encourage you all to sign.
Many thanks
The Royal Crescent Society
The High Common/Approach Golf Course
Dear All
I am writing to you on behalf of the residents of the RA’s neighbouring this park and those from other RA’s that use the park, about a potentially very serious development and to enlist your support.
As you may know, the provision of golf on the Approach Golf Course ceased last year with the first lockdown and has not officially resumed. The Council put golf provision out to tender last year and then cancelled the tender process. It then restarted the process late last year. That process has now apparently been completed and it is tolerably clear from the signals residents have been receiving (inter alia from local councillors) that the council is proposing to accept the bid that has been received, which apparently will involve the end of golf as we know it on the Approach Golf Course and its replacement with “frisbee golf”. This will presumably also entail the curtailment of residents’ access to the park i.e. the end of the status quo which has golfers, dog-walkers, alpine walkers, the elderly and children alike using the park in happy coexistence. We also understand that frisbee golf will require the concreting in of facilities across the course, thus disfiguring it.
At a Zoom meeting with concerned residents last year, Cllr Paul Crossley gave an unqualified undertaking that a change of use on the 18 hole course would require a public consultation. Residents and golfers naturally took him at his word. It now appears that he intends to say the frisbee golf is a “golf-like activity”, that there is therefore no change of use and that no public consultation is required.
Most right-thinking people would say, I believe, that throwing golfers off a course they have used for 60 years or so and limiting or ending residents’ unfettered access to the High Common would amount to a change of use, regardless of whether or not such actions would amount to a breach of the County of Avon Act 1967 which granted the High Common to the residents of Bath in perpetuity.
As you can imagine, residents are up in arms about this. Many plan to speak at the Cabinet meeting on 11th February to insist on maintaining the status quo and/or putting the matter to a public consultation. There is a petition circulating demanding the maintenance of golf on the course. Residents will be writing to the press.
I would urge you to ask your residents who use the High Common, whether regularly or not, or who are concerned about the public’s access such a vital public space, to write to Cllr Crossley to insist on the preservation of the status quo and/or to sign the petition which demands the retention of golf (as we know it). The petition can be signed here:
https://www.change.org/p/bath-and-north-east-somerset-council-keep-bath-approach-golf-course-open
Kind regards
Justin Draeger
Chair – FOBRA
January 2021
Dorothy House Christmas Tree Collection Saturday 9 January
Dorothy House will be collecting Christmas trees again this year in return for a small donation. They plan to pick up the large Christmas tree on the lawn and the trees of any residents who would like to use the service around midday on Saturday 9 January. There is a suggested donation to Dorothy House of £10 per tree which residents can put in an envelope and post through the letterbox of RCS Treasurer Stephen Little's door at no. 22 Royal Crescent, in advance of the collection.
Steph Cox, Community Fundraiser at Dorothy House, said: “This will be our fifth Christmas tree collection and we’re looking forward to helping local people recycle their used Christmas trees, while also raising vital funds for Dorothy House. Last collection we raised more than £42,000 which went a long way to support people in the local community. We couldn’t do this without the generous support of supporters and also to the volunteers who give up their time to collect all of the trees.”
Could residents please place their trees for collection by Dorothy House on the RC Lawn side of the railings by the large tree, and not on the pavement side so as not to cause any obstruction to pedestrians.
Alternatively, scheduled garden waste collections resume in Royal Crescent from Thursday 28 January and Christmas trees will be collected free of charge. The Council request that you please make sure all decorations are removed and the tree is cut in half (to less than 1.2m tall). You can also take your Christmas tree to the recycling centre for composting.
December 2020
Donation Made to Bath Abbey
The concert event which had been planned to take place in July this year has now been postponed to July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we received the fee which was due on the signing of the contract for the lawn usage earlier this year and we are very pleased to have been able to forward this money as originally planned as a donation to Bath Abbey’s Footprint Project and their music for schools programme .
The donation was very much appreciated and Cath Foxwell, Fundraising and Development Manager for Bath Abbey, sent the following message:
'Thank you so much for supporting Footprint with such a generous gift. This donation will be doubled by the Brownsword Charitable Foundation, meaning that Footprint will receive an incredible £45,000.'
New B&NES Council Surveys launched
The Council are now conducting two new surveys with residents.
1. 'One Shared Vision'
Residents are being invited to join in the process of developing 'One Shared Vision' for how Bath and North East Somerset could recover from the pandemic and address the wide-ranging impacts experienced across our community. The vision would also ensure that recovery and rebuilding helps achieve a stronger, more resilient, fairer, greener, and by 2030, net zero carbon place.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the development of 'One Shared Vision' online from 9 December - 18 December at:
https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/help-us-create-one-shared-vision
Councillor Dine Romero, Council leader, said: “It is really important that we create, with you, a shared vision that everyone in the community can get behind to help us recover from the Covid crisis. We need a stronger, more diverse and greener economy and we need to work together in partnership to deliver it. One Shared Vision is the result of the partnership work done so far to create options for how the future could look for Bath and North East Somerset. Now we’d like to give everyone the chance to participate in the development of the plans by letting us know what you like about the stories and what you’d like to change or add. You can also rate and comment on what other people have said.”
After December 18, the Council will review all of the contributions made through the development process, including comments made through the One Shared Visions webpage, along with the stakeholder interviews, surveys and workshops that have taken place this autumn and winter.
2. Bath City Centre Security Consultation
Residents are being asked for their views on proposals to strengthen on-street security within Bath City Centre’s busiest streets and spaces. B&NES Council & the Police have developed a proposal that seeks to provide appropriately improved security whilst continuing to allow the city’s businesses and service providers a viable level of vehicle access. For full details of the proposals and to complete the survey please visit:
Please respond by Friday 15 January 2021.
Royal Crescent Featured in New Netflix Series ‘Bridgerton',
25 December
Many residents will recall the 2 rounds of filming which took place on Royal Crescent in September and November 2019, as well as in many other locations in and around Bath. Although it isn't known which episodes will feature the scenes filmed here, it might be fun trying to spot them! The first episode of series 1 (8 episodes in total) launches on Netflix on Christmas Day.
Here are a few details from the production company about the series:
'This American period drama was created by Shondaland’s Chris Van Dusen and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. Based on Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels, the story is set in the competitive world of Regency London high society and follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family, as she makes her debut onto the competitive marriage market. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of her parents and find a match sparked by true love, Daphne’s prospects initially seem to be unrivalled. But as her older brother begins to rule out her potential suitors, the scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown, voiced by the one and only Julie Andrews, casts aspersions on Daphne. Enter the highly desirable and rebellious Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), committed bachelor and the catch of the season for the debutantes’ mamas. Despite proclaiming that they want nothing the other has to offer, their attraction is undeniable and sparks fly as they find themselves engaged in an increasing battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their future. This series has all the goods: it’s a romantic and scandalous tale that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way and the search for a love that conquers all. Golda Rosheuvel, Jonathan Bailey, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Luke Thompson, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh, Polly Walker, Bessie Carter and Harriet Cains round out the cast.'
To see the trailer, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsKen3y-mU
Bath’s Clean Air Zone is coming
Bath`s Clean Air Zone starts on 15 March, 2021. From this date, most higher emission vehicles will need to pay £9 or £100 a day to drive in Bath`s city centre. Private cars and motorbikes will not be charged. To check if your vehicle will be charged, use the GOV>UK vehicle checker at www.gov.uk/cleanairzone or call 0300 029 8888.
From 15 March, if you drive a chargeable vehicle in the zone, you will need to pay within 7 days at www.gov.uk/cleanairzone, otherwise you could receive a penalty charge notice.
For more information on Bath`s Clean Air Zone, including a map, local exemptions and financial support to upgrade vehicles, go to:
Refuse collection over the Christmas period
There will be a refuse collection as normal on Thursday 24 December.
The collection due on Thursday 31 December will be on Monday 4 January
The collection due on Thursday 7 January will be on Saturday 9 January
The collection due on Thursday 14 January will be on Friday 15 January
There will be no garden waste collections between Monday 7 December and Friday 15 January.
Recycling centres will be closed 25 December, 26 December, 27 December and 1 January.
Dorothy House Christmas Tree Collection
Dorothy House will again be collecting Christmas trees in January in return for a small donation. We are waiting for confirmation of a date when they can remove the large Crescent Lawn tree as well as any residents' trees. Details will follow.
Alternatively, garden waste collections re-start from Monday 18 January and Christmas trees will be collected free of charge on the scheduled fortnightly garden waste collection day between 18 January and 12 February, 2021. Please make sure all decorations are removed and the tree is cut in half (to less than 1.2m tall). You can also take your Christmas tree to the recycling centre for composting.
November 2020
Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, Bugler on Royal Crescent lawn
With Remembrance events scaled back this year to help stop the spread of COVID-19, The British Legion are encouraging people to stay at home, and where social distancing allows, to pay their respects on their doorsteps for the 2 minutes silence at 11am, on Sunday 8 November, to remember those who lost their lives in the service of our country.
One of our residents has kindly organised for a bugler to mark the start and finish of the silence, who will be positioned on the Royal Crescent lawn.
Please could you share this with any neighbours who may not have access to emails.
Other limited attendance and ticket only events taking place in Bath, Sunday 8 November:
The Royal British Legion Wreath Laying Ceremony at the City of Bath’s War Memorial, Royal Victoria Park is invitees only.The Mayor, Councillor Manda Rigby will lay the first wreath. The ceremony will be filmed and will be made available to watch on the council’s Youtube channel from 10.45 -11.15am. Anyone who would like to lay a wreath can do so informally after 1pm.
The Remembrance Service at Bath Abbey - there will be no parade ahead of the service which will be held at 3pm. The service is limited to a congregation of sixty. Admission is by ticket only available from the Abbey Office or Eventbrite. The Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Councillor Andrew Furse, will be in attendance
September 2020
Council Consultation on Liveable Neighbourhoods Strategy
B&NES is consulting on its strategy to introduce Liveable Neighbourhoods in Bath. There are three main elements to this; to start developing ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhoods’ (LTNs), residents’ parking strategy and on street provision of electric charging points. The Council is now seeking views from residents by responding to the consultation document accessed via the link below. The consultation period ends on Sunday 18 October. We would encourage participation in this consultation as it is an opportunity for residents to have their say on some important issues for future planning in Bath.
https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/liveable-neighbourhoods-consultation
The Council have also recorded a webinar on their Liveable Neighbourhoods Strategy which can be viewed by clicking here.
Filming outside no.1 Royal Crescent, 15 September, 2020
Filming for a BBC production of ‘The Pursuit of Love’ by Nancy Mitford will be taking place outside and in the interior of no.1 Royal Crescent on Tuesday 15 September. Parking suspensions outside and opposite no.1 will be in place for the day. Residents will be able to access the Crescent in the usual way on foot or by car and the road will not be closed. Residents may be asked to wait for up to 3 minutes when actual filming is taking place.
A donation has been made by the film company to the Royal Crescent Society.
Please click here to see a copy of the letter delivered to all Royal Crescent households on 17 August with more information about the day’s filming and contact details of the person to contact at the production company should you have any further questions or concerns.
Edward Goring, First Chairman of The Royal Crescent Society and Champion of the Preservation of Georgian Bath, by John Walker
Some residents may have spotted the obituary for Edward Goring, written by his friend and Royal Crescent resident John Walker which featured recently in the Bath Chronicle. Edward was was not only responsible for founding The Royal Crescent Society in 1974 and was it’s first Chairman but was also at the forefront of preserving Georgian Bath, a city he loved.
Here is John`s piece:
Edward Goring was a journalist who gave up a successful Fleet Street career to live and work in Bath, because he was entranced by the city’s Georgian buildings.
He wrote a column called Sul’s Day by Day five nights a week for the Bath Chronicle that, in the opinion of author Jan Morris, made him the pre-eminent chronicler of Bath in the 1970s. The column combined reporting and comment on local issues, sometimes humorous, occasionally irreverent and often serious and controversial.
This upset some local worthies. Soon Edward got a letter from the late Kenneth Hudson, adult education lecturer and author, warning: “The number of really influential people in Bath is limited to about 20. In the space of a very few weeks you have annoyed and antagonised 18 of them.”
Twice he was threatened with libel writs – an occupational hazard for a journalist who, in his Fleet Street heyday, was once sued by Elizabeth Taylor for claiming that filming of Cleopatra was held up because she was so fat.
In his columns Edward championed the preservation of Bath. He launched a crusade against Colin Buchanan’s project for a road tunnel under the city, then accepted not only by the council but also by Bath Preservation Trust. He repeatedly attacked the planning department’s schemes for the demolition of Georgian streets for modern developments, continuing the destruction begun in the 1960s.
Adam Fergusson, author of The Sack of Bath, published in 1973, paid him this tribute: “Edward Goring, in the front line, has written more effectively to save Bath than anyone else.”
A collection of his columns from the Chronicle, entitled By the Waters of Sul, was published in 2006. In her foreword to the book, Jan Morris wrote: “Goring’s classical attitudes to the civic foibles – ever-patient, ever-entertained, ever-sceptical, ever-fascinated – mean, I think, that this record of his responses must enter the permanent literary repertoire of Aquae Sulis.”
The only son of Evelyn and Thomas Goring, a brewery worker and keen local cricketer, Edward was born in Burton-on-Trent in 1931. He was always keen to be a journalist. When he was a 12-year-old schoolboy he produced a hand-drawn daily newspaper of eight A4 pages, which he circulated among his classmates at Broadway School for one penny a read in aid of the Burton Observer’s wartime Smokes and Comforts Fund for Servicemen.
When told shorthand and typing were essential tools for journalism, he abandoned an opportunity to go to grammar school and opted for technical college, where those skills were taught. He joined the old Burton Chronicle as a 15-year-old cub reporter in 1946.
He later moved to the Staffordshire Advertiser in Stafford and to evening newspapers in Nottingham and Sheffield before being recruited by the Daily Mail in London for its Coronation reporting team in 1953. Two weeks later he was taken on the staff. In 1956 he was appointed the paper’s show-business writer and several years later became a sub-editor, adding style to the paper’s gossip column.
He left the Bath Chronicle after eight years only because of a chance to achieve his ambition to be an editor. In 1977 he moved to Sussex to edit the weekly Brighton and Hove Gazette, where he continued to campaign on conservation issues.
Edward continued to live in Brighton after taking early retirement in 1988. He had a great interest in local history and church architecture. While a teenager, he wrote a book about his parish church, All Saints’, in aid of its appeal fund, and a history of Lichfield Cathedral which was published in hardback.
He was also gifted at DIY, completely restoring the Georgian features of his first home in Bath, in Rivers Street, before moving to live in the Royal Crescent, where, in 1974, he founded the still flourishing Royal Crescent Society and was its first chairman.
He loved cats and classical music, which played continuously during his waking hours. But his greatest passion was for motorcycles. He continued riding high-powered machines into his 70s, having always preferred, he said, the freedom of two wheels to matrimony.
John Walker
July 30, 2020
August 2020
New wildlife residents at the Royal Crescent Hotel
See below a letter to residents from Mary Stringer, Marketing Manager at the Royal Crescent Hotel:
Dear fellow residents of the Royal Crescent,
I hope you are all well. As you may have heard, we recently rehomed three beautiful little hedgehogs in our private gardens. We have named them Beatrix, Jane and Daphne after classic British authors. They have three separate hedgehog homes to keep them safe and warm, and we are feeding them each evening. You can see photos here. You are very welcome to pop into the gardens and see them whenever you wish.
In the unlikely event that any of the hedgehogs escape into one of your gardens, we would ask that you please call us on 01225 823 333 (or email info@royalcrescent.co.uk) and one of the team will come and collect the escapee.
With thanks and best wishes,
Mary Stringer (Marketing Manager)
May 2020
The Square Community Website
Our neighbours in St James’s Square have recently launched a website promoting local shops and businesses in the St James’s Square area which are open and/or providing local delivery during the Covid-19 lockdown. These are our local small businesses which many of us are in the habit of using already but this is just a reminder to let you know that they are still open and to please support them if you are able. The website is www.thesquarecommunity.com
April 2020
Polite Notice: Covid-19 and Use of Royal Crescent Private Lawn
Dear Residents,
Given the current seriousness of the Covid-19 situation, and the closure of many communal spaces, the police have asked if residents can help them enforce government rules in Royal Victoria Park, by asking all residents to use the Royal Crescent communal lawn only for the purposes of walking or other light exercise and for dog walking.
We ask you to show your solidarity with the rest of our community by refraining from sitting, sunbathing and picnicking or playing ball games or taking exercise equipment on to the lawn for the time being.
Please could we also remind dog owners to show consideration for other residents by picking up after their dogs.
Many thanks for your support and understanding in these extremely challenging times.
The CLC and The RCS
Message From Caroline Kay of The Bath Preservation Trust:
COULD YOU HELP BATH PRESERVATION TRUST MAINTAIN ITS SCRUTINY OF PLANNING?
Bath Preservation Trust has existed as a civic amenity charity, campaigning for the conservation and sensitive development of the beautiful built environment for the City of Bath, since 1934. Since 1970 it has also run museums in rescued listed buildings around the city, and now cares for a portfolio of four museums: No 1 Royal Crescent, Museum of Bath Architecture, Beckford’s Tower and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. You are receiving this email because we believe you have in the past valued the contribution that BPT makes to the city.
The COVID -19 crisis has resulted in a 90% drop in our income through the closure of our museums from mid-March, and this income is unlikely to come back any time soon. We have furloughed most of the museums staff, though we do have to retain sufficient staff to undertake building and environmental checks, to meet insurance and security requirements and to care for our collections at all four museums, as well as to maintain some digital presence and plan for the future.
While our museums activity is run down to a minimum, planning activity needs to continue. The recent Emergency Powers Act provided for Local Planning Authorities to continue their work remotely, and B&NES’ approach is to do much more through delegated authority and to meet virtually on the major applications. In these circumstances – and there is evidence that some are already seeking to exploit them – it is ever more important that the ‘watchdog’ and scrutiny element of BPT is able to continue. Although there is some drop-off in planning applications there are many major applications in train or being newly launched for digital consultation. In addition there is a significant new consultation on revisions to the local plan which will determine our planning framework for years ahead. At present we have retained the 2 (1.6FTE) professional staff members who work on our activities in relation to planning applications but this is not sustainable long term.
Bath Preservation Trust has prudent, though (given our liabilities) relatively modest reserves, with our free cash reserves substantially more limited and in some cases designated against, for instance, the ending of the government’s furlough scheme. Only an exceptionally wealthy charity - which we are absolutely not - could hold sufficient reserves to be robust enough to deal unaided with this unprecedented situation.
The Trustees recognise that we need to commit some of our reserves to keeping going, and we are already doing so. But we are, necessarily, currently looking at a second round of furlough and we do not believe that the planning team, and therefore the planning work and output, can be sustained without further external resources.
I fully appreciate that many people and their family members may also be in a difficult position and have other priorities as a consequence of the crisis, and I do not expect BPT to be at the top of your priorities. I am however asking that if you do think you could help us at all you might consider it at this point.
In order to retain our modest staffing capacity in the planning team we are currently looking to raise externally between £1500 and £2000 a month, for a six month period at least, in addition to the drawdown we are making from our reserves. We would be very grateful if you can help with this in any way. Please contact me directly on ckay@bptrust.org.uk if you would like any more information. A donation form is attached or there is a JustGiving link below – please make clear if your donation is linked to the planning activity.
With thanks and with my best wishes for your health and wellbeing
CAROLINE KAY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Bath Preservation Trust |1 Royal Crescent | Bath | BA1 2LR
+44 (0)1225 338 727 | ckay@bptrust.org.uk | www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk
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Click here for donation form
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bath-preservation-trust
March 2020
Update on Local Food Delivery Services
Most people are now experiencing difficulties with obtaining home delivery slots with the major supermarkets. However, Waitrose and Sainsburys are setting aside the first hour of opening to those in the vulnerable and higher risk categories and their carers.
Please click on the link here to go to a list compiled by the Sustainable Food Partnership of local businesses and shops who are offering home delivery of groceries and prepared meals in the Royal Crescent area. These include
shops such as Eades in Crescent Lane (01225 317319), the St James Café Deli in
St James Street (07834 553216) and The Circus restaurant in Brock Street (07843 643112) who are working in conjunction with the Bath Veg Box Project to deliver a range of groceries.
Coronavirus and community response
The RCS is committed to supporting residents by the co-ordination of whatever support we are able to give, particularly to those in the higher risk age range or those with underlying health issues.
Although the timing has not yet been confirmed, the Government intends asking all people over 70 to self-isolate, whether they feel unwell or not. This step will increase the amount of support required, such as helping with shopping, picking up prescriptions and dog walking etc.
We are compiling a list of people who are willing to help so if you are able to join the list, please email chair@thercs.co.uk. We will take care to ensure that your personal data is used only to match those seeking assistance with someone who can help and this information will remain confidential.
If you are self-isolating at any age, and need some practical help, then please email chair@thercs.co.uk and we will try and help wherever appropriate and possible.
We would appreciate your help in spreading the word about this initiative and in encouraging your neighbours to become involved wherever possible.
For those needing to know how to self-isolate, please click on the link to the NHS website below:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
Here is the link to the government website giving advice on how we can keep ourselves, our families and the vulnerable in our community safe:
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
RCS and CLC AGMs no longer taking place on Sunday 5 April
Given the current situation with the Coronavirus outbreak and the need to protect the health of our residents, the RCS committee and the directors of the CLC have jointly taken the decision not to hold a physical meeting for the forthcoming CLC and RCS AGMs on Sunday 5 April.
The CLC have already sent out their report and accounts to houses and residents and in place of the RCS AGM, the RCS committee will also be sending out their report, minutes of the 2019 RCS AGM and accounts. Residents will then have the opportunity to email any questions or comments they may have and the appropriate RCS committee member will respond accordingly.
February 2020
New ITV Drama set in Bath to air Sunday 1 March.
Click here to read about a new ITV detective drama, ‘McDonald & Dodds’ set in and around Bath (including some scenes in Royal Victoria Park, below Royal Crescent), which premieres on Sunday 1 March at 8pm.
Caroline Kay to step down in July 2020 as Chief Exec of Bath Preservation Trust
Please see the press release here from BPT.
December 2019
Post-Christmas Tree Collection by Dorothy House
However much we have enjoyed our Christmas and New Year celebrations, in early January many of us have the problem of getting rid of an increasingly forlorn looking tree before it covers the floor with needles. B&NES does not collect any green waste in December and January, and so will not remove any unwanted Christmas trees from the Royal Crescent until the first Thursday in February at best.
In recent years an untidy pile of Christmas trees (including the large one which RCS provides for the Lawn) has remained on the pavement for 6 or 7 weeks, looking a mess and attracting particular attention from every passing dog.
To improve the look and hygiene of our street, RCS has arranged a special collection of unwanted trees by the fund raising team of Dorothy House Hospice. They will arrive with a van around 11.00am on Sunday 5th of January. We will be felling the big tree on the Lawn just before that (with all prospective lumberjacks very welcome!) and will pile the debris into the van. Any resident who wants to get rid of their tree is welcome to bring it along at that time or, if that’s not possible, rest the tree on the pavement by the lawn railings close to the centre gate and the big tree before that date, ready for collection. RCS hopes that this arrangement will let us avoid having old trees littering the pavement; alternatively we all have the option of taking our old tree to the Recycling Centre.
Obviously Dorothy House provides this service in order to attract much needed funds, and the RCS will make a substantial donation in respect of our oversized tree from the Lawn. Beyond that, Dorothy House normally hopes to receive a donation of at least £10.00 in return for the removal of a normal sized domestic tree. We hope this seems reasonable, and perhaps there will be donations above that figure (or even donations unassociated with tree removal!). Anyone wanting to have their tree removed, or simply wanting to donate, should please place the appropriate amount in an envelope marked Dorothy House (and optionally with their own name) and put it through Stephen Little’s letter box at No 22, prior to 5th January.
Dorothy House Hospice is of immense value to our local community, and in recent weeks has provided multiple daily visits to support a Royal Crescent resident during their last weeks of life, making a terrible experience more manageable for them and their family. Any of us may need such help. This new arrangement, which could be repeated, gives us an opportunity to improve our own living environment and also to make a seasonal donation to this exceptional charity. We hope it has a positive effect
An Event 'By Bath For Bath', July 2020
The Bath Percent Club approached the RCS and other local residents' associations and business groups with the idea of having a unique, high quality event, by Bath, for Bath, inspired by the memorable Three Tenors concert which took place 17 years ago in front of Royal Crescent.
Over the past few years, many Bath residents have raised concerns about the type of events that have taken place on Royal Crescent Lower Lawn and on other areas of Royal Victoria Park as these have generally been by businesses from outside of Bath and have been of no tangible benefit to our local Bath economy or community.
With the aim of making this event 'by Bath, for Bath', it was collectively agreed to bring on board the promoter Senbla, to organise it and to work alongside the Bath Percent Club, the Bath Chamber of Commerce and other Bath business groups to ensure that local Bath businesses will have every opportunity to be involved.
A percentage of the revenue from ticket sales will be donated into a music related programme for local Bath school children who would not otherwise have access to this type of opportunity, and other fees we receive for use of the Royal Crescent Lawn will also be directed into some form of music education.
This special event will be a 2 day concert on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July 2020 with internationally renowned and Grammy award winning artist, Michael Bublé, who will be opening his 'An Evening with Michael Bublé' UK tour with a spectacular open air concert in front of Royal Crescent. Michael Bublé is known to be one of the best entertainers in the world and has already completed six sold-out world tours, won four Grammy awards and sold over 60 million records over the course of his extraordinary career.
Set to be one of the most visually and vocally stunning concerts of 2020, the stage will be situated on Royal Crescent Lawn at the lower side overlooking the Ha ha and all seating will be on RVP Lower Lawn, with the catering and support services and vehicles located along Royal Avenue.
There are a number of tickets ring fenced especially for residents until 23 December 2020, after which time they will go on general sale. Please go to the residents’ login page to access details on how to book these.
Tickets are on sale generally at:
www.Bathforum.co.uk
www.BathBoxOffice.org.uk
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Royal Crescent Society Festive Dinner, Sunday 26 January 2020
Below is your invitation to the Festive Dinner to be held at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa on Sunday 26 January 2020. The dinner will have a Burns Night theme and details on how to book through the hotel are included below.
Please click here to see the menu options so that you can advise the Hotel of your choice when booking. There will also be a vegetarian haggis option available. You will also be able to advise of any preferred seating arrangements when booking.
November 2019
Next Filming activity on Royal Crescent, 19, 20, 21 November 2019
The next filming activity on Royal Crescent has now been confirmed for 19, 20 and 21 November, which includes a day of set-up and take-down, with actual filming taking place on the 20th. The parking suspensions from no.s 1-15 will be in place for these 3 days, as well as the road closure at the eastern end and the removal of the bollards at the western end to allow access.
The film production company will be distributing a letter to all RC households this morning with more information, including how to obtain a complimentary parking permit for Charlotte Street car park for the 3 days filming activity for residents and their visitors. As before, they have agreed to make a donation to the Royal Crescent Society for these 3 days of disruption to residents.
Please click here to see a copy of the letter from the film production company.
The location manager for the production, Monty Till, has also asked if there is any house between no.s 1-15 who would be interesting in allowing filming in their doorway and hallway for which they will pay a fee. If you are interested, please call Monty on 07877605330.
September 2019
Further Filming on Royal Crescent, 25-27 September, 2019
We have received short notice of further filming due to take place on the eastern curve of Royal Crescent involving the same road closures and parking suspensions as the last round of filming at the end of August. The new dates are Wednesday 25 September - Friday 27 September inclusive, with actual filming taking place on the 26th. Another letter was hand delivered to all Royal Crescent households yesterday which included details of the filming activity and how residents and their visitors can obtain a free parking pass for Charlotte Street car park for the 3 day period.
The production company have again agreed to a donation to the Royal Crescent Society in line with the last donation for the 3 days of potential disruption to residents and are very appreciative of our continued support and patience.
As last time, their intention is not to restrict access for residents but you may be asked to wait a few moments if a filming take is in process. If you have any particular access requirements or have any questions or concerns during the filming, please contact Jade Robertson or Adrienne Whitwell from the production company whose contact details are at the end of the letter.
Click here to see filming letter page 1
Click here to see filming letter page 2
August 2019
Filming on Royal Crescent, 30 August - 2 September, 2019
There will be some major filming taking place inside and to the exterior of no.1 Royal Crescent and on the eastern side of the road over a 4 day period from Friday 30 August - Monday 2 September inclusive. Royal Crescent will be closed at the eastern Brock Street end and the bollards will be temporarily removed at the western end to allow access for residents. Parking suspensions will be in place from no.1 up to the Hotel for the duration.
Please see below the letter from the film production company, Sunken Garden Productions Ltd, on alternative free parking arrangements for residents in Charlotte Street car park and contact details for any questions, concerns or particular needs regarding access whilst the filming is taking place. They have given assurance that access for residents will not be restricted but they have invited our support and patience for a few moments if filming is in progress.
Please click here for Sunken Garden Productions letter page 1
Please click here for Sunken Gardens Productions letter page 2
June 2019
Change of date for St Andrews School Sports Day
Due to the heavy rain on Tuesday 25 June, the St Andrews School Sports Day has been re-scheduled for the morning of Tuesday 16 July on the Crescent Lawn.
RCS Summer Picnic, Sunday July 21, 2019
This year`s ’Strawberries and Pimms’ RCS Summer picnic will be held on the Crescent Lawn on Sunday July 21, 2019 from 5-7pm. All Friends, Residents and their families and friends are welcome. See the flyer with more information by clicking here.
New Coach Ban for Circus and Streets Leading to Royal Crescent
Following years of campaigning by the Circus Residents Association (CARA), B&NES have agreed to a trial coach ban on the Circus and all streets leading to and from the Circus, including Gay Street, Bennett Street, Old Church Street, Crescent Lane and Rivers Street. For now, only the double decker red tourist buses will be allowed to enter these streets. This ban should help prevent the stray coaches which do occasionally still manage to enter the Crescent, despite the signage which has been present for well over 10 years. Residents are encouraged to take a photo of the number plate and record the time and date of any coach they see entering Royal Crescent (or Brock Street and Old Church Street) and to email it to chair@thercs.co.uk so that we can contact the Council and the offending coach company.
Police Liaison and Neighbourhood Watch Update
Following on from the RCS AGM, resident Graham Moore has kindly volunteered to be the Royal Crescent Society`s representative for local police liaison and the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Graham met recently with Trevor Wilmot, the Neighbourhood Watch representative for Avon and Somerset Police and will have the opportunity to meet regularly with our local police to discuss any residents' concerns. He will also receive regular police email updates on crime in our local area so we can keep residents informed of any relevant issues.
If you have any non-urgent concerns or questions you would like to raise with our local police, please email chair@thercs.co.uk and your details will be passed on to Graham who will get in touch with you.
For any emergency or crime in progress, please call the usual 999, or for any non-urgent matters, call 101.
If you would like to find out more on how to make your home more secure, you can go to the Neighbourhood Watch national website by clicking here.
Alert from Avon and Somerset Police on Garage and Outbuilding Security
We have received a police email alert advising us that there has been a substantial recent increase in the number of break-ins to garages, sheds and outbuildings across the Avon and Somerset policing area. They have released a document on steps residents can take to help secure their property. Please click here to view.
Crescent Lawn Maintenance Update
Our shared lawn is still recovering from the unusually hot and dry summer in 2018, and regular (night time!) rainfall would now be helpful. The most badly affected area, situated between numbers 17 and 23, is showing some regrowth but still has some bare areas. PLEASE try to keep off the reseeded areas (blankets, chairs, ball games, dogs) in order to give it the best possible chance.
The RCS hasn't agreed any events requiring large tenting for this summer, to facilitate continued recovery. The only events booked for the rest of the year on the lawn are smaller ones; a wedding drinks booking, St Andrews School Sports Day and the RCS picnic.
Finally, without inviting neighbours to put themselves at any risk, please remember that any of us can take responsibility to query the presence of anyone who has climbed up from the Lower Lawn/Royal Victoria Park. The Crescent Lawn is our garden, and the Ha ha wall is old and fragile, and expensive to repair.
Reminder: New Residents Visitor Permit Parking Trial
In case you missed this in the last newsletter, there is a new 12 month trial for residents' visitor parking permits in the Central Zone which started on 4 March. All residents in the Central Zone (whether current car permit holders or not) are eligible for 100 hours of visitor permits, using the B&NES online MiPermit system. The cost will be 10p/hour. For a direct link to B&NES MiPermit online registration page, click here.
April 2019
Hope Ball 2019
Many Royal Crescent residents and friends enjoyed attending and supporting The Hope Ball in 2017 which took place on the Royal Crescent Lawn. The Ball takes place every two years and raises much needed funds to support the Cancer Care Campaign at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and its Forever friends Appeal. It will be held again this year on June 15 in a beautiful private garden in nearby Doynton. For more details of the event and how to purchase tickets, click here.
Parking permit discounts for zero emission vehicles
From Monday 1 April B&NES are offering a limited number of parking permits for zero emission vehicles which will be available at a reduced cost on a first come first served basis.
The discount scheme is being funded by a £240,000 government grant designed to promote zero and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) uptake in advance of the introduction of a Clean Air Zone in the city centre.
For more details and how to purchase the permit online via MiPermit , click here.
The reduced cost scheme forms part of a range of local incentives to encourage the use of zero emission and ultra low emission vehicles across Bath and North East Somerset, including the expansion of a network of dedicated charging points across the authority.
For details of the charging points currently available in Bath and North East Somerset, click here.
March 2019
Bath Clean Air Zone (CAZ) Update
The B&NES cabinet meeting held on the 5th of March voted in favour of a Class C Clean Air Zone for Bath (as opposed to a class D) which exempts cars from being charged to drive in the Zone but will charge higher emission coaches, buses, HGVs , LGVs/vans, private hire vehicles and taxis. The cabinet also approved a package of measures to assist businesses and vulnerable people manage the impact of the charging zone which will reduce high levels of NO2 which the Government says must happen ‘in the shortest possible time’ and by 2021 at the latest. The next step is for B&NES to write to government confirming the decision and to seek the funding needed to deliver the plan, which they hope to start in December 2020. For more details and the full B&NES press release, click here.
Key features of a Class C CAZ
Charges would apply to all non-compliant, higher emission vehicles except cars
Traffic management at Queen Square is necessary for the scheme to be compliant
Charges and charging policy remains consistent with the original proposal (£100 for higher emission buses, coaches and HGVs, and £9 for higher emission LGVs/vans, private hire vehicles and taxis
Compliant vehicles would not be charged:
National and local exemptions and concessions apply.
Charges for higher emission vehicles would apply once in every 24-hour period (midnight to midnight) when entering or driving in the zone, applying 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If your vehicle is parked in the zone and does not move, you would not pay the charge.
Interest-free loans would be available to help owners of pre-Euro 6 commercial vehicles (buses, coaches, HGVs, LGVs/vans and private hire vehicles/taxis) to upgrade a vehicle, retrofit an older vehicle or invest in a low emission vehicle (ULEV).
Businesses with Euro 4 or 5 diesel commercial vehicles unable to obtain a loan would be able to apply for a concession to 1 January 2023 (i.e not pay to drive in the zone until this date).
Vulnerable groups driving Euro 4/5 diesel vehicles from c.2006 (e.g. vans, minibuses) and not eligible for the interest-free loan scheme would be able to register for a concession until 1 January 2023, giving drivers longer to upgrade their vehicle. This includes registered blue badge holders, registered healthcare providers and registered community transport providers
Concessions would be available for E4/5 diesel accessible taxis until 1 January 2023
All hybrid cars (including PHV/taxis) would be locally exempt from charges
The CAZ scheme, including additional measures, is subject to a successful bid for funds from the Government.
New Resident Visitor Permits Trial
A 12 month trial for resident visitor permits in the Central Zone went live on 4th March. All residents in the Central Zone (whether current car permit holders or not) are eligible for 100 hours of visitor parking permits, using the B&NES online MiPermit system. The cost will be 10p/hour. For link to B&NES MiPermit online registration, click here.
The Future of Transport for Bath Conference, 4th April
Ahead of the Council election on 2nd May, the various Bath political groups will present their Bath transport manifestos at a public conference to be held at St Swithun’s Church, chaired by Sir Peter Hendy. West of England Combined Authority Mayor Tim Bowles will also be presenting WECA’s new regional transport plan and its benefits for Bath.
Attendance is free but places are limited and you must register beforehand online. Click here for a link to the registration form.
New Bath Police Station/Enquiry Office Announced
The Bath city centre neighbourhood policing team is moving into new space in the Council offices at Lewis House, Manvers Street, under a deal between B&NES and Avon and Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens. For full press release, click here.
Crescent Lawn Maintenance Update
Substantial treatment and re-seeding to areas of the Lawn will be taking place in the forthcoming weeks, in response to the damage caused by the combination of unusually high temperatures and low rainfall last summer. The largest area of re-seeding may need to be fenced off for some time until it has recovered and we ask that you please also try and avoid the scattered smaller re-seeded areas which may not have fencing around them. The remedial work is costly and we need it to be effective. Large areas of the Lawn will still be available for use and we hope you agree that this will be a worthwhile temporary inconvenience for the longer term health of the Lawn. We will also avoid hosting any large events on the lawn this year for this reason (i.e. those requiring large marquees).
New Stadium For Bath Proposals - FOBRA Response.
See the January news item for details of the proposals for a new Bath stadium, together with a response from the Bath Preservation Trust. The Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations has now written a response outlining concerns with the proposals and its potential impact on Bath and and its residents and businesses. Click here to see the response.
Bath Artist Peter Brown spotted painting Royal Crescent in the snow
Royal Crescent by Peter Brown
You may already be familiar with the work of Bath based artist Peter Brown who has captured the beauty of Royal Crescent in the snow through painting a panoramic oil on canvas during our recent heavy but short-lived snowfall. The painting is currently for sale if you are interested. More information on Peter and his work can be found on his website by clicking the link here.
February 2019
Happy Birthday John Wood the Younger!
This month marks the birthday of the Bath born architect responsible for Royal Crescent, John Wood the Younger, who was born 291 years ago. Alongside his father, John Wood the Elder, he was a key figure in the development of Bath`s eighteenth century elegance and in the history of British architecture. The Bath Chronicle, 21st May, 1767 reported ‘Tuesday last, the foundation stone was laid of the intended new building above the Circus, called the Crescent’. Wood designed the houses in Brock Street to have fairly modest facades so that people would not be distracted as they approached the new crescent from the Circus and so that ‘the breathtaking view of his Palladian masterpiece would explode before their eyes’. We are sure he would be pleased to learn that it continues to have the same impact on people today.
Bath Half Marathon Sunday 17 March 2019, Information Leaflet
The Bath Half Marathon is on Sunday the 17th of March and starts at 11.00am, with road closures (from 9.45am to around 3.30pm), parking suspensions and diversions along its course. To see the residents information leaflet with all the details, click here.
Police Newsletter From Sergeant Jonathan Raisey
Jonathan Raisey has introduced an interesting and helpful quarterly newsletter to keep residents up to date with the current crime and policing situation in Bath.
Here is the first newsletter:
Dear Resident
Welcome to the first news letter for Bath City Centre Team. I hope that I can produce a similar letter on a quarterly basis to keep you up to date on our progress, goals and achievements. Policing relies on public confidence and feeling that we are tackling issues that concern you. I will try and keep these newsletters concise but give you a real feel for what we are trying to achieve in the City Centre.
Figures: Below are some facts and figures for crime in the City Centre
You will notice that overall there has been a small increase in crime in the City Centre for the 12 months of 2018 compared to 2017, whilst across the whole of Bath there has actually been a 1.8% fall in criminality. This is bucking the national trend for rising crime and again we see falls in robbery, violence and sexual offences. Thefts and in particular shop theft has contributed to most of the rise in crime figures for Bath centre and may be a reflection of tightening financial conditions both for retailers and possibly those who are shoplifting.
In BANES for the last 18 months we have run a shop theft workshop for juveniles who get caught stealing for the first time. We have had over 70 attendees and to date none of them have come back to Police attention so this seems far more effective than other outcomes. It brings retailers face to face with the offenders and their parents so that they understand the damage that offending causes. We continue to work closely with Bath BID and Bath Crime Reduction Partnership to help ban our most prolific re-offenders.
There have been large increases in inquisitive offences of burglary and theft from vehicles, but for both the numbers across the City as a whole show a significant decrease, suggesting that the small number of offenders who commit these type of offences have targeted central areas more than in the previous year, but as a City we have been more effective in bringing these people to justice in a timely manner. As individuals we can all work to ensure we keep valuables safe and out of the eyesight of prying eyes, and report people acting suspiciously.
My overall summation would be that despite many National horror stories in the media relating to gangs and serious violence, Bath is not facing an unstoppable crime wave, the figures are very similar to the twelve months before that and some of the most significant violent offences have actually reduced.
Increased Visibility
Since restructuring in Early October my team have tried to increase their visibility in the City Centre.
My team no longer travel in cars, except when having to travel outside the Centre on rare occasions and we are out either on foot or on bike.
Two of my PCSO’s are currently trialling electric bicycles in the city Centre, benefitting from being able to cover more distance whilst being more approachable than travelling by car.
Every officer now has a laptop and can update crimes and other enquiries whilst on patrol rather than having to return to the station for paperwork. This gives us the opportunity to use public spaces to do our administration and be available to talk through problems people may have.
We have started a number of new coffee with cops walk in beat surgeries including at Royal Victoria Park and attending at Julian Road
Each of the PCSO’s have taken responsibility for a housing block in the City Centre so that residents can have a single point of contact within the Police to discuss ongoing issues. Where we have identified ongoing problems in the City I have tried to designate one of my team to take ownership of it, so that we do more than just short term fixes.
Meetings for residents of Griffin Court and Norfolk Crescent have meant that we have taken the time to discuss concerns and answer questions from local communities. We are happy to meet with any resident group, be it large or small and will endeavour to attend any relevant meetings we are invited to.
Greater Working with Housing Associations
My team have endeavoured to work more closely with the main housing associations, CURO, LIVEWEST, GUINNESS and SANCTUARY, doing a number of joint visits, residents meetings and engaging to discuss problem residents for a quicker resolution to anti-social behaviour problems.
Knife Surrender Bins
Operation Sceptre is a national initiative to reduce knife crime and here in BANES we are doing our part to raise awareness and make the streets safer. This includes several weeks of action every year where we conduct activities such as test purchases to check knives are not sold to children, or education in schools and colleges. There are also knife surrender bins for people to anonymously hand in items which they fear may get used as a weapon in the wrong hands. We have a surrender campaign in Bath Police Station in Redbridge House, Midland Road, BA2 3EW, but the knife needs to be handed in to an officer, however, we will never take any details or record who has handed in the item. If you prefer a completely anonymous method, then we have a permanent surrender bin outside Ashmead Road Custody Centre, Ashmead Road, Keynsham, where you can post any such items securely into the bin at any time of day. We emptied our bins for the first time and have already had over 120 knives surrendered.
Working to Protect our most Vulnerable
Many of you will have heard of county lines and the issues of gangs taking over the homes of vulnerable people in order to sell drugs. In Bath we have taken an innovative approach, identifying those we believe most at risk and visiting them on a regular basis to ensure that they are not taken advantage of. This has already led to some people being rehoused to safer locations and offenders arrested from vulnerable addresses.
Begging
Begging is a very emotive subject and one that deeply divides most communities. I hope that as a team we have a very positive working relationship with both the street homeless and the support services that work with them. That being said our role requires us to prevent crime and begging is an offence that causes discomfort and irritation to many people. We spend much time safeguarding and supporting the street community but also need to deter these antisocial issues from causing tensions. Recently, and following consultation with the main support charities we have looked to change our approach to begging. Firstly by talking through the range of support benefits available to those we believe to be begging but then being more robust in our actions towards those who continue to beg. We are using legislation to stop persons from sitting in locations and gathering alms, (which is waiting to receive gifts or donations, such as sitting with a cap or cup in front of you). In the past we used to take action when we witnessed people verbally asking for money but this has led to an increase in the number of people sitting down quietly waiting to be given money. Some of these people are drawn to Bath from other parts of the country due to the amount of money that is given. This draws people away from their local connections and means that if they have no ties to Bath that they are unable to obtain benefits or housing and makes them fully reliant on obtaining money to survive from any means available. Those people with a local connection to Bath generally have access to benefits, housing and other support such as outreach workers, drug rehabilitation and mental health support.
I hope this newsletter has been beneficial for you. As of the next newsletter I hope to be able to provide a team photo and introduce some of the team to you and the work that they have been doing
Regards
PS 4531 Jonathan Raisey
January 2019
Bath Preservation Trust Volunteer Drop-in Day, Monday 28th January
The BPT will be holding a drop-in day for potential volunteers at their museums (including room guides, marketing, campaigning and conservation work) on Monday 28th January, 10am-1pm at No. 1 Royal Crescent. For details, click here.
BPT Museums Openings update
No.1 Royal Crescent opens on Sat 16 Feb
Herschel Museum of Astronomy opens Sat 2 Feb
Museum of Bath Architcture remains open
Beckford’s Tower opens 2 March
Bath City Forum Meeting, Monday 28th January
The Bath City Forum will be holding their next meeting on Monday 28th January at 6pm at The Guildhall and all are welcome to attend. Issues to be discussed will include policing issues in Bath and the new HMO (houses of multiple occupation) Licensing rules. To see the agenda, click here.
Stadium For Bath and Rec Proposals
The BPT have published their detailed response to the second round consultation which includes their concerns on the heritage impact of a scheme of this size on the World Heritage city. Click here to see their response.
Images of the proposed new stadium and its impact on views around Bath and the landscape setting have been uploaded by the Pulteney Estates Residents Association and can be viewed here.
For up to date information from the Stadium For Bath website on their proposals, click here.
FOBRA (Federation of Bath Residents) met on the 22nd January, and discussed the proposals which also include a 700 space car park within the new development. FOBRA will be issuing their response which will express concerns on how this proposed car park impacts the overall B&NES Transport Plan for Bath and the Clean Air Zone proposals.
Clean Air Zone Proposals Update
B&NES have postponed a decision on the Clean Air Zone, citing an unprecedented number of responses (8,400 survey responses in total) to the consultation. An updated report is being prepared and will be presented in March for the Cabinet’s consideration with costed and modelled options, including a range of mitigation measures.
Royal Crescent Lawn Maintenance
The hot dry conditions in 2017 have unfortunately led to some damaged grass and roots in certain areas of the lawn and as moss has moved in to these bare patches, the grass will not recover without some major intervention. The CLC have taken some expert advice on this and the necessary remedial work will be starting in March, weather permitting. To protect the re-seeded areas there will be some fenced-off parts of the lawn for a time to enable it to re-establish itself.
December 2018
Residents` Festive Dinner, Sunday, January 13, 2019
Residents and Friends of the RCS will have received an email from Sue Purdin with details and information on how to book places for the Residents’ Festive Dinner to be held at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa on Sunday, January 13, 2019. If you haven`t received an email and would like to come, please email social@thercs.co.uk. Places are limited, so book soon to avoid disappointment!
Real Christmas tree disposal - trees will not be collected until garden waste collections resume on the 28th January 2019. They can be put out between 28 January - 8th February and the Council will collect them free of charge. It is requested that the trees are chopped up so that they can fit in the waste lorries and that you ensure they are free of any decorations. If you would like to dispose of your tree before this date, you can take it to the local recycling centre.
Royal Crescent Neighbourhood Watch
Following on from the AGM where residents raised concerns about the number of recent burglaries in the area, the RCS has met with local police representatives and has re-formed a Royal Crescent neighbourhood watch group. We would like to encourage all residents to be as vigilant as possible on behalf of their neighbours and to report anything suspicious either directly to the police by calling 999 (emergencies and crimes in progress) or 101 (non urgent issues and historic crimes). Please let us know of any issues or concerns so we can alert other residents by emailing the RCS committee on chair@thercs.co.uk, or vicechair@thercs.co.uk .
Christmas Period Crime Prevention Advice from Avon and Somerset Police (and for throughout the year!)
Please click here for some advice from Avon and Somerset Police on how to keep you and your neighbours safe and secure, especially over the Christmas period.
November 2018
Re-location of City of Bath Post Office into WHSmith
The Post Office are proposing to move the Post Office from 27 Northgate Street into the WHSmith at 6-7 Union Street where it will be run by WHSmith employees. There is a public consultation which closes on 19 December. For more details and to make your views known by filling in an online questionnaire, click here.
Bath Christmas Market - Residents’ Preview Evening Wednesday 21st November
Residents are invited to a Preview evening on Wednesday 21st November, 5-7pm, where they will be invited to be the first to browse the chalets of the local artisans and craftspeople with special offers for B&NES Discovery card holders. For more information on this year’s market, go to www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.
Remembrance Sunday 11th November; Centenary of the Armistice at the end of World War One, 1918
Please click here to see the programme of ceremonies and services.
Proposed B&NES Clean Air Charging Zone (CAZ)
The public consultation will run until 26 November. The council is inviting everyone to read a summary of the proposal and take part in its questionnaire. The Government has told 28 councils in England, including Bath that they have to achieve compliance with nitrogen dioxide limits by 2021 at the latest. Royal Crescent forms part of the B&NES Clean Air Charging Zone proposal currently being developed to discourage high-polluting vehicles from driving in the city centre, and a range of non-charging measures to encourage greener modes of travel.
Under the current proposals, if your car is non-compliant i.e. either a diesel car older than 2015 (Euro 1-5) or a petrol car older than 2006 (Euro 1 to 3) then you will be charged £9 a day from 2020 if you drive into the zone. The Federation of Bath Residents’ Association (FOBRA of which the RCS is a member) has written to B&NES on behalf of residents proposing a more modest standing charge for car users living within the CAZ as an alternative to the daily charge.
The public consultation will run until 26 November. The council is inviting everyone to read a summary of the proposal and take part in its questionnaire. A number of open public events are being held throughout the consultation period.
More information, including online questionnaires, can be found online at www.bathnes.gov.uk/breathe Printed summaries and questionnaires can also be found at local B&NES libraries and One Stop Shops.
Click here to see the B&NES summary document including details of the residents’ drop-in events.
Click here to see a B&NES three minute video.
Click here for an eight minute interview with the council’s Bob Goodman.
October 2018
LUNA Cinema Update
The use of headphones at this year’s LUNA cinema event from the 28th-30th September made an enormous difference compared with the impact of the noise on residents last year. The use of headphones for LUNA’s two scheduled events for next year however has not been guaranteed. There are also other issues affecting the enjoyment of residents and visitors related to holding an event of this type on the Crescent Lower Lawn. The RCS, MLBRA and CARA will continue to work together in urging B&NES and LUNA to re-consider locating to Royal Victoria Park, Middle Common where other pop-up cinemas have successfully taken place
Parking Charge Changes - New Residents’ Discount
New car parking charges in Bath came into effect on the 13th August as part of a package of measures by B&NES to tackle the issue of air pollution and to encourage people to use the Park and Rides and other public transport.
All B&NES residents are eligible for a 10% discount for both on and off-street parking charges. You will need to register on the MiPermit online portal under the “Residents’ Parking Saver” section, via www.wanttopark.com/bathnes. Sunday on-street parking remains free and the discounted evening rate in Charlotte Street car park will remain in place, as will the hour's free parking in Royal Victoria Park
New Littering Fines
B&NES has introduced new tough fines for people caught dropping litter, fly tipping or dumping household rubbish by public bins. Anyone caught dropping litter, including dropping cigarette ends, will be given a £150 Fixed Penalty Notice. Anyone caught fly tipping or disposing of bags of household or business rubbish next to public bins will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Fine of up to £400 or on summary conviction, a fine of up to £50,000.
High Common, Victoria Park
Our Cavendish Crescent neighbours have recently been refused use of the High Common for a small Residents' summer social gathering. Throughout their application process, it became apparent that certain Council Officers regard this public land as restricted access.
For many years local people have enjoyed this space alongside the golfers there; strolling or dog walking, picnicking, sledging, playing games etc. The Council's stance ignores many years of mutual respect, so the Cavendish Road Society believe it should be challenged.
We would like to show support for our neighbouring residents’ association who are seeking statements from any of our members or others who are interested. If you enjoy walking, playing or passing time on the High Common, please write and confirm that you do and for how many years you have done so uninterrupted. Statements should be emailed to emilio@pimentel-reid.com, saying you are from the RCS and briefly setting out your experience.
For The Keen Gardener - Local Allotments Available
We were recently made aware that there are currently several allotments available in Lower Common East, Royal Victoria Park. If anyone is interested, you can apply online by visiting www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/sport-leisure-and-parks/allotments.
Minerva's Owls Sculpture Trail, 2018, 'Hoot Farewell' Auction Preview and Charity Auction
The RCS Minerva’s Owl, ‘Emily’, named after the founder of Norland Nannies
Many of you will have noticed over the summer the owl positioned outside the Royal Crescent Hotel which formed part of this year's major public sculpture trail in and around Bath, consisting of 85 individually decorated owls sponsored by Bath businesses and organisations. The owls were collected and put on display for an 'Owls Hoot Farewell' over the weekend of 29th-30th September at the Bath Recreation Ground. The charity auction will be held on Wednesday 17th October at The Apex Hotel and 100% of the profits will go to local Bath charities.
For details on how to register for the auction please visit www.minervasowls.org.
The Crescent Lawn and Railings
Although the lawn is recovering from the hot weather, some remedial work will need to take place during the winter months to work on some of the worst areas of bare patches and large cracks in the ground and we will continue to monitor its progress. Repairs and re-painting of the railings have continued over the summer months and are now nearing completion.
The guidelines for use of the lawn have recently been updated which we hope will help everyone to get the most out of our lovely shared lawn. To see a copy of the updated guidelines, please go to the Residents’ Login page.