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Woman fears closure of neuro rehabilitation unit at the Min will affect her health

December 27, 2012, 1:00 am
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A woman whose MS has left her unable to control her own movements has spoken of her fears about the closure of the unit.

Nikki Shearn, 48, from Paulton, now does not know where she will have to go for the specialist treatment she needs to cope with her condition.

Thanks to the support of the team at the unit at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, she is able to live at home but is worried about the future.

She said: "They are so lovely in the unit and the support I continue to get is wonderful.

"I don't know what I will do when it closes. I won't be able to travel miles to get treatment."

Mrs Shearn was diagnosed with MS 26 years ago, but in the last three years her condition has worsened, leaving her with no control over her body, and she will eventually be unable to talk or eat.

In September, after a flare-up in her condition, she spent seven weeks in the unit, where staff helped her gain control over parts of her body, and got her talking and eating again.

Her husband Ian, 54, said: "Nikki's life has been completely changed thanks to the care and treatment she has received at the unit.

"They have helped her to live a reasonably comfortable life at home, and she has continued to make massive improvements thanks to them.

"We don't know what will happen now that the unit is being closed. We can only hope and pray that Nikki doesn't need that sort of care again, as we don't know where we will be sent. It could be miles away."

Mr Shearn is full of praise for the staff at the unit, and said the care could not be replicated elsewhere.

He said: "The unit is incredible, never in my life have I seen anything like it in a hospital."

Woman fears closure of neuro rehabilitation unit at the Min will affect her health

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Pledge by medical director over service's future

December 27, 2012, 1:00 am
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The hospital board has been reviewing the service as it battles to balance its books.

Medical director Dr Ashok Bhalla said they recognised that patients might be concerned as the NHS works out how to fill the gap left by the shutdown.

"I can reassure people that RNHRD will be doing all we can to support our existing patients, our staff and the commissioners who will now be working to identify where services can be reprovided.

"The Min provides a national neuro rehabilitation service and takes patients from right across the area.

"People may not realise that the numbers of local patients we care for are really quite small at around 20 people a year.

"The NHS will continue to provide high quality neurological rehabilitation services for those who need them. Current patients will continue to receive all the care and support they need while new arrangements are explored."

The NHS's South West Specialised Commissioning Team and NHS B&NES and Wiltshire will now work together to identify and consult on options for how the service can be reprovided.

Views of patients and carers will be taken into account as part of the consultation process.

The service will be stopped from March 31 next year.

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Bargain hunters queue through the night for Bath furniture store sale

December 27, 2012, 1:17 am
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Bargain hunters queued through the night to be first through the doors for the Silcox Son and Wicks sale. The city centre furniture shop opened its doors at 9am this morning, with many items being sold at less than half the original price. Some people in the queue had camped out all night, despite the cold winter weather. Andy Gould, from Oldfield Park, slept in his camping chair, bagging his place at the front of the queue at 9pm last night. He was after a swivel chair, which was reduced from £599 to £149. Mr Gould said: "This is the first time I have done this, but I saw the chair and really wanted it. "It has been ok, not too cold or miserable. "I liked the look of the chair and have always wanted one, so decided to go for it." Behind him in the queue was Mark Wilson, who arrived at 3am. He wanted a sofa, reduced from £799 to £199. Mr Wilson said: "If I see something I really like I do queue a long time. "The sofa is lovely, and a bargain. "I have camped out before, you have to do it to get a good place." Dozens of people joined the pair, lined up outside the store in Kingsmead Square, and they were all keen to snap up a bargain.

Bargain hunters queue through the night for Bath furniture store sale

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Your words of wisdom on Bath

December 27, 2012, 2:48 am
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@alexlightfoot7: @"#ifyouknowbath you know that you live in the best city on earth." @JessicaClubbe: @"#IfYouKnowBath you will know that Kingsmead Square is the coolest hang-out spot." @LukeBrett:@ "#IfYouKnowBath you know that it is pronounced Bath not Baff." @RachaelHayman: @"#IfYouKnowBath you'll know that the correct pronunciation is Barth." @RJWyatt: @"#ifyouknowbath you remember the old Southgate with Poundland, bus station and Laserquest!" @TinyBigJacko: @"#IfYouKnowBath you'll know the true meaning of 'the BANES of your life'." @LukeBrett: @"#IfYouKnowBath you know that there are far more tourists at the Christmas Market than locals." @UniofBath: @"#ifyouknowbath you'll know that the Uni of Bath is now 3rd best in the country after Oxford & Cambridge. Not bad eh?" @bathdigital:@ "#ifyouknowbath you'll know its digital sector is booming right now!" @CourtneyPritch:@ "#IfYouKnowBath you'll know the guy painted in silver pretending to be a statue." @CallumSiddons:@ "#IfYouKnowBath you'll know that walking from one end of town to another without seeing someone that you know is an impossible task." @tweetand2veg: @"#ifyouknowbath you'll know that Lansdown Crescent is much better than the Royal Crescent. And it has sheep sometimes!" @RuthWishart:@ "#ifyouknowbath you'll know that the Hat, the King Willy and the Packhorse were all great pubs. Let's ensure The Bell stays one." @Schmiffy12: @"#IfYouKnowBath then you'll be totally spoilt for choice when deciding which restaurant to visit. So, so many good ones." @ashataylor:@ "#ifyouknowbath you know the buses are either late or don't turn up." @mrsdixy:@ "#ifyouknowbath you know that traffic is a nightmare, parking is expensive and the buses are terrible."
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Travel misery continues for rail travellers

December 27, 2012, 3:33 am
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Travel plans and the return to work for some were thrown into further chaos today as continued flooding problems hit rail travellers. Engineering works planned over the Christmas break have overrun hitting many services running through Bath Spa Station. Services running through Bath were severely disrupted with a number of trains cancelled and others delayed. Trains are not running between Reading and London Paddington and with only a limted bus service available, First Great Western appealed to passengers not to travel unless their journey was essential. Passengers heading for Cardiff were also experiencing delays. The main line between Exeter and Tiverton is still closed causing continued problems for passengers heading to Devon and Cornwall.
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For the latest information on flood warnings and alerts in the region, click on the Environment Agency panel below.
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Where do you wear your onesie?

December 27, 2012, 3:55 am
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Did you unwrap a new onesie this Christmas? Have you been out and about in this year's must-have all-in-one? The trend was said to have been inspired by boy band One Direction but many are too shy to be seen outside in their onesies. What about you? Have you been parading around Bath in your onsie, popping out to the shops and enjoying a drink in the pub? If so, why not send us a picture or even if you have been relaxing in the comfort of your own home, why not share a snap of your in your onesie at Christmas. Send your onesie pictures to news@bathchron.co.uk
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Praise for police who rescued assault suspect from icy river in Bath

December 27, 2012, 5:49 am
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An assault suspect who jumped into the River Avon in Bath while running away from police had to be rescued from the icy water. Officers were called to Windsor Bridge Road at around 2.30am on Friday, December 14, after a taxi driver reported that he had been assaulted. The culprit had fled the scene, but police officers soon found him in the river. They used torches to light up the area and kept the man talking, but noticed he was panicking and at risk of becoming hypothermic in the cold water. A rope was used to pull him from the river, with the officers taking care not to fall into the water themselves because of the treacherous, water-logged bank. The 20-year-old suspect, who was from Bristol, was taken to the Royal United Hospital for treatment and later arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and criminal damage. He has been released on bail pending further inquiries. Chief Superintendent Andy Williams, temporary head of Avon and Somerset Police's operations department said: "The rescue of the suspect was clearly very dangerous but through determination and professionalism, the officers from Bath police station and the road policing unit prevented his certain death. "The incident is in line with the high traditions of the police service and demonstrates the great job our staff do on a daily basis." Details of the incident have only been made public this week.

Praise for police who rescued assault suspect from icy river in Bath

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Man dies in Christmas Day crash tragedy

December 27, 2012, 5:57 am
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One man has died and four others were injured after a car they were travelling in crashed in the early hours of Christmas morning. The car, an Audi A6, was driving past Cooper Tires on the A3102 Bath Road in Melksham, Wiltshire, when it left the road at the Unicorn pub and crashed into a wall at around 3.30am on Christmas Day. All five people in the car, believed to be four men and a woman in their late 20s or early 30s, were rushed to the Royal United Hospital in Bath, but one of the people, who has not yet been named by police, was pronounced dead on arrival. Two others in the car are suffering from serious injuries. Police investigating the crash closed the road for six hours into Christmas Day, and appealed for any witnesses who saw what happened, or saw the Audi driving before the crash, to get in touch.
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Accident blocks one lane of M4 motorway near Bath

December 27, 2012, 7:11 am
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An accident has blocked one lane of the M4 motorway near Bath. Drivers are facing problems on the westbound carriageway betweeen junction 18 at Bath and junction 17 at Chippenham.
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Face of Marks of Spencer Seb White will carry on breaking new ground

December 27, 2012, 8:44 am
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The mother of a disabled boy who made history by featuring in the M&S Christmas advert has spoken of the overwhelming public response and raised the possibility of future TV appearances. Caroline White, mother of four-year-old Seb, said she has received dozens of emotional messages of support since the ad debuted last month as well as celebrity endorsements from Katie Price and Liz Hurley. Seb, who has Down's Syndrome and lives in Bath, became the first model with a learning disability to star in a UK television advert for a high street brand, according to Marks & Spencer. Mrs White said that her son has become a local celebrity around Bath after his appearances on BBC Breakfast and cannot contain his excitement whenever he appears on television. "He absolutely loves it. The second the advert comes on he is aware it's the advert," she said. "He sits and he goes 'wait, wait, wait' and then when he comes on he gives a big cheer." Seb's new-found celebrity status has even followed him into the playground, both at the special school he goes to two days a week and the mainstream school he attends. "One of his little friends at mainstream asked his mum: 'Does Seb only come to school Wednesday to Friday because on Monday to Tuesday he is making clothes to Marks & Spencer?'," Mrs White said. "Another friend said 'Is Seb famous enough to go on Strictly Come Dancing', which I thought was pretty cute." Seb's elevated status among his classmates seems a just reward for his mother's long-fought campaign to get disability better represented in advertising. For over a year Mrs White has been approaching high street brands and posting photos and blogs about Seb in the hope that he might be used as a model. Part of her inspiration came when watching last year's John Lewis ad featuring a young boy excitedly counting down the days until Christmas. "It was such a heart-warming lump-in-the-throat advert that I just thought: 'But that could be Seb'. I did think how much of an impact it would have on people as well if Seb was in an advert," she said. The key turning point came when she wrote on Marks & Spencer's Facebook page, triggering a wave of online support and a call from the supermarket's marketing team. A day modelling for the brand's Christmas magazine was followed by a request to appear in the TV ad, directed by the man behind many of Beyonce's biggest music videos. Now Seb is being seen by millions jumping in a Christmas jumper with other child models – an image that still brings Mrs White close to tears. "Every time I get a huge lump in my throat and a ridiculous swelling of pride. It is just incredible," she said. "I know it was on the final I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! ad break before they announced the winner. It was the most I could ever have dreamt of – prime time TV." Now Mrs White receives two or three messages about her campaign every week, often from parents with disabled children. She said: "Some of the emails I have had from new parents have just been mind-blowing. To hear from someone who has got a new baby that we have really helped give them faith that everything's going to be alright is amazing." As for the future, Mrs White is hopeful that there may be more M&S appearances to come. "I met up with Steve Sharp (executive director of marketing at Marks & Spencer) fairly recently and he is really keen to use Seb again," she revealed. But for now, Mrs White says Seb and the family are just happy to enjoy the moment: "We've made a piece of history and no one can take that away from us now."

Face of Marks of Spencer Seb White will carry on breaking new ground

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Plea for Bath musicians to aid charity fund

December 28, 2012, 1:00 am
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Musicians and music venues in the Bath area are being called on to help swell the coffers of a charity fund.

Bath and North East Somerset Council chairman Councillor Rob Appleyard is looking for support with events for a fund which he oversees.

The Chairman's Quartet Charity Fund helps groups and organisations across the district, and was set up ten years ago by a previous postholder, Les Kew.

Managed by the community grants charity Quartet, the fund has helped a range of projects – from providing transport for an elderly group so members could attend a once-a-week lunch club to kitting out a children's football team.

Now Mr Appleyard is hoping to boost the coffers of the fund with his Harmony in Your Community fundraising appeal.

He is asking venues across B&NES that are putting on gigs in the next few months to consider raising money for the fund.

He said the culmination of the fundraising events would be a showcase concert in April featuring local musicians.

"We can organise our team of supporters to make bucket collections at the events or it would be marvellous if the event organisers felt able to donate from ticket sales. I'm also hoping to be able to pop in to as many events as possible to lend my support."

The first event was held at Bonghy-Bo in the city centre, coordinated by Bath-born singer Clyve Waite, at which he launched his new band Soul City Foundation.

Mr Waite said: "I have always believed the importance of supporting your own community and local charities."

If can help, contact Kerrianne or Loraine on 01225 823004 or email info@morganbrinkhurst consultancy.co.uk.

Plea for Bath musicians to aid charity fund

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£1.7m will help all Bath children from disadvantaged backgrounds, says Don Foster

December 28, 2012, 1:00 am
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An extra £1.7 million will be given to schools in Bath to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds to prosper.

The money is from the Government's £1.65 billion Pupil Premium. The fund, an initiative by the Liberal Democrats, will also funnel a similar amount into schools in North East Somerset.

The funding targets extra money to schools depending on the number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds they have.

In Bath, 1,970 pupils are expected to be eligible, meaning that the city's schools willbenefit from an extra £1.751 million to support disadvantaged children. In NE Somerset, 1,950 pupils will benefit from £1.728 million of funding, while the money for Wiltshire will help 14,590 children with a payment of £10.1 million.

The premium covers any primary or secondary school pupil registered for free school meals in the past six years.Nationally it amounts to around £900 per eligible pupil.

Bath MP Don Foster said: "Liberal Democrats are building a strong economy and fair society where everyone can get ahead.

"To do that we need to make sure that children are not held back by poverty and disadvantage. For too long, social background has been a deciding factor in a child's chances for the future.

"I am proud that the Liberal Democrats are helping every child in Bath to reach their full potential. This money does not just help the poorest children, it helps every child. Fewer children falling behind means less disruption in class and a better education for everyone."

£1.7m will help all Bath children from disadvantaged backgrounds, says Don Foster

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Women now exceed men in Bath workforce

December 28, 2012, 1:01 am
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There are now more women working in the Bath area than men, according to the latest census. Bath and North East Somerset is among the 21 out of 37 areas in the South West where the size of the female workforce exceeds the male working population. Across England and Wales as a whole, the male workforce is still larger – albeit only by 13,410. Of the 65,185 people in employment in B&NES, 32,925 (50.5 per cent) are women and 32,260 are men. The highest proportion of women workers in the region is found in Torbay, with a figure of 52.8 per cent. The lowest rate was in Swindon, at 48.1 per cent, with the rest of Wiltshire second lowest at 48.3 per cent. The GMB union says the figures show the importance of flexible employment policies. Regional secretary John Phillips said: "These figures show that for workers resident in most areas in the region there are more women in employment than there are men in employment. That means that equal pay for women is not just an issue of fairness but is something that directly impacts on the economic prosperity of many areas. "Politicians should no longer think of men as the breadwinner. They should consider the impact on women's wage packets and their experiences at work when they propose changes to employment policies. "Employers need to acknowledge the fundamental importance of flexible working and family friendly policies as women still continue to take on the burden of domestic work and child care."
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10 things to do in Bath this weekend and over the New Year holiday

December 28, 2012, 2:00 am
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At a loose end during the week ahead? Here's our at-a-glance guide to ten things to do in Bath during the coming week:

The big show this Christmas and New Year is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Theatre Royal. It's one of the best they have done in recent years and is a must see for the whole family and it runs until mid January, so you have plenty of time.

You can see in the new year in grand style at the Theatre Royal Bath with conductor Jason Thornton and Bath Philharmonia playing a variety of popular classics.

On New Year's day there is the traditional Viennese-style concert at the Forum, Bath at 3pm with glittering waltzes, firey polkas and romantic songs with the London Gala Orchestra and special guest singers.

On Monday, January 7 Bath Fringe organisers are holding an open meeting to talk about show ideas for 2013. It is at 6pm at Burdall's Yard on Anglo Terrace which is next to the Cleveland Place traffic lights on London Road.

Spend New Year's Eve at Bath Pavilion in the company of Tim Bassett and The Sweet Perspirations – the Elvis Presley tribute band. A show with loads of energy. Tickets are £32.

This Sunday there is a Farmers and Artisan Market at Bradford on Avon in Lamb Yard from 10am to 2pm.

There is not much antiques hunting to be done around Bath over the festive period but there is one of the Bradford on Avon Antiques and Flea Markets on Saturday at St Margaret's Hall from 9am to 4pm. Admission is £1,

If you are wondering how to keep the children entertained following all the excitement of the Christmas festivities you could help them Jump into 2013 with Young@Art on Saturday at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. The arty event is from 10.30 am to noon and costs £4 per child in advance – all children have to be accompanied. Book on 01225 477233.

Take the family to see the sensational new film The Hobbit which is now showing at local cinemas.

Look forward to a very happy and entertainment-filled new year

10 things to do in Bath this weekend and over the New Year holiday

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Two more inches of rain needed for wettest year

December 28, 2012, 3:55 am
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This year is set to become the wettest on record in the UK, forecasters said as flood-battered areas were warned they face renewed danger from storms bringing a wet and windy end to 2012. Provisional figures show that just 1.8in (46mm) of rain is needed from December 27 to 31 for 2012 to be the wettest year on record for the UK overall, with a new record already set for England with 43.1in (1,095.8mm) falling between January 1 and Boxing Day, the Met Office said. The UK as a whole has had 50.8in (1,291.2mm) of rain from January 1 to December 26, with the wettest year on record for the UK currently 2000, when 52.6in (1,337.3mm) fell. A storm brewing in the Atlantic could bring up to 2in (50mm) of rain and 80mph (129kph) winds in some areas this weekend as bands of persistent rain move into and across England and Scotland. The Environment Agency said the West should prepare to take the brunt of it, with many areas still saturated with water from before Christmas, when floods forced many to flee their homes. The recent heavy rain, coupled with late-running engineering work and other problems, meant a miserable return to work for rail travellers yesterday. First Great Western said the main line in the far South West, which has been closed since before Christmas because of flooding between Exeter and Tiverton, should reopen today.
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Ollie Devoto to start at Exeter as Bath Rugby ring changes

December 28, 2012, 4:03 am
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Ollie Devoto will make his first Aviva Premiership start for Bath Rugby in tomorrow's match at Exeter Chiefs (3pm). The 19-year-old, who usually plays at fly-half, replaces Nick Abendanon at full-back. Captain Stuart Hooper will be on the bench for the match against his hometown club and is replaced in a new-look second row by Ryan Caldwell, with Dave Attwood coming in for Dominic Day. Ben Skirving returns from injury at number eight, while Matt Banahan is back from suspension and partners Kyle Eastmond for the first time in the centres. Bath Rugby team to face Exeter Chiefs: Ollie Devoto, Horacio Agulla, Kyle Eastmond, Matt Banahan, Tom Biggs, Stephen Donald, Michael Claassens; Paul James, Lee Mears, David Wilson, Dave Attwood, Ryan Caldwell, Francois Louw (c), Guy Mercer, Ben Skirving. Replacements: Tom Dunn, Charlie Beech, Anthony Perenise, Stuart Hooper, Will Skuse, Mark McMillan, Tom Heathcote, Dan Hipkiss.

Ollie Devoto to start at Exeter as Bath Rugby ring changes

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Multi-vehicle accident blocks busy route near Bath

December 28, 2012, 4:19 am
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An accident involving a number of vehicles has blocked a busy route near Bath. The A4174 in Keynsham is blocked northbound at Hicks Gate Roundabout. Police are at the scene and traffic is queing back onto the A4 Bath Road.

Multi-vehicle accident blocks busy route near Bath

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Arise Sir Peter as Bath's great and good are honoured

December 28, 2012, 4:30 pm
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The head of London transport, who lives in Bath, and a former councillor responsible for organising a public art exhibition of King Bladud's pigs around the city have been recognised in the New Year Honours. Peter Hendy, the commissioner of Transport for London, has been given a knighthood for his services to transport and the community. The 59-year-old, who lives in Widcombe and is president of Widcombe Social Club, was previously made a CBE in 2006 for his work keeping the capital's transport system running in the wake of the 7/7 bombings. This latest recognition comes after the success of the London Olympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson today welcomed Sir Peter's knighthood. Johnson said: "Sir Peter Hendy richly deserves this honour.  He has shown outstanding leadership as London's Transport Commissioner, including overseeing the largest ever investment programme in the capital's transport network and record breaking passenger numbers and operational performance.  He also led the successful operation of the transport network for the London 2012 Games, demonstrating to the world that London is the best city to live, work, visit and invest in." Meanwhile, Gitte Dawson has been made an MBE for services to the communities in Freshford and Bath. She served as a local councillor between 1999 and 2007 and during that time and beyond has been actively involved in the community. She was nominated for the award by her ward successor Councillor Neil Butters (Lib Dem, Bathavon South), leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council Councillor Paul Crossley, Bath MP Don Foster and number of others. Mrs Dawson, who is originally from Germany and now lives in Freshford, said: "I am delighted of course. "I had a letter to say it had been decided that I was to be awarded an MBE and it makes me feel good. "My husband was given an OBE a few years ago, so this is very exciting." Mr Butters congratulated her, saying: "As Gitte's successor as councillor for the Bathavon South Ward, I am absolutely delighted that Gitte Dawson has been awarded an MBE. "She has a long history of voluntary work and action for good causes. "In particular, she has been the key driving force behind three, very different, major local projects: the Bath Christmas Market, King Bladud's pigs – 100 life-size pigs around Bath in 2008, which raised a net £200,000 for the Two Tunnels project and the excellent Galleries Shop & Cafe at Freshford. "Had she not been successful, I could not have imagined what more could have been expected of one individual. She is a true 'social entrepreneur'." The chief executive officer of Bath-based engineering firm Buro Happold Paul Westbury has been made a CBE. He has been involved in some of the company's biggest projects in recent years, including the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, the Millennium Dome, Dublin's Aviva Stadium and the 2006 Winter Olympics Speed Skating Oval in Turin. In 2000 he became the firm's youngest ever principal, when he was made a partner and director at the age of 30. Others who appear on the list include University of Bath graduate and Olympic rower Heather Stanning and her teammate Helen Glover, a former teacher at Oldfield School, were both made MBEs, founder of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Jane Withey, from Keynsham, who was made an MBE, and Monica Murdoch, from Blagdon, who was awarded a BEM for services to the community. Bradford on Avon kayaker and Olympic champion Ed McKeever was also made an MBE, as was Paralympic rower David Smith, who previously trained at the University of Bath. Over in north east Somerset there were a number of worthy recipients, including Writhlington School science teacher Simon Pugh-Jones, Peasedown youth worker Bridie Marshall and Radstock charity fundraiser Jean Meredith. Mr Pugh-Jones, who has been running the school's orchid project for the past 20 years, was made an MBE. The 51-year-old father-of-one, who lives with his wife Annie in Frome, said he first thought the letter from the Queen was a speeding fine. He said: "I thought it looked very official looking and was worried it was a speeding fine or something like that but when I looked inside it was much nicer. The hardest part was keeping it a secret – it's not something I am very good at." His interest in plants first began as a young child thanks to his green fingered grandmother who went on to give Simon his first orchid at the age of 12. From there his interest developed during time spent working weekends in an orchid nursery in his native Dorset. After working as an engineer on the railways Simon took up a teaching post at the Radstock school and from there dreamed up ambitious plans for the empty greenhouses at the site. Over the past 20 years his work with orchids has been recognised with a host of national awards including the British Associations European Science Prize and the Society of Biology Science Prize. Mr Pugh-Jones added: "It has been amazing to get the MBE for the generations of students who have put so much work into this and hope this recognition will help us in our continuing efforts to develop initiatives for the benefit of communities in tropical countries. "The reason I think we have such an impact when we travel to other places to teach what we know about orchids is because the young people do the training and I think this gives confidence that it is all possible." Mrs Murdoch is involved with a number of community activities including cooking once a month for the local lunch club and helping to arrange lifts for those unable to make their own way to hospital appointments. She is also a member of the Good Companions and the WI, and has been carrying out collections for Macmillan nurses and the Royal British Legion for a number of years. As well as all this, Mrs Murdoch has dedicated her life to looking after her daughter Jane, 53, who has Down's syndrome.

Arise Sir Peter as Bath's great and good are honoured

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Bath's Link School holds fair to help children

December 28, 2012, 11:30 pm
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Pupils from the a specialist Bath school got in the Christmas spirit to raise money for charity.

The Christmas Fair at the Link School saw pupils and teachers dress in festive costumes to support the Make a Wish Foundation.

During the day there were stalls selling Christmas goods, a tombola, bric-a- brac stall and refreshments.

The day raised £127 for the charity

It was organised by pupils at the school for children with behavioural difficulties, who put in weeks of hard work.

All the money will go to the foundation's work of granting wishes of children and young people aged between three and 17 living with life-threatening illnesses.

For more information visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk.

Bath's Link School holds fair to help children

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TOM BRADSHAW: Heineken Cup absence is keenly felt at The Rec

December 29, 2012, 12:00 am
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There was a spectre haunting The Rec on Saturday. Never mind the ghost of Christmas Past, this was the ghost of the Heineken Cup.

The sound beating handed to Bath by Saracens was in no small part due to Charlie Hodgson's marksmanship and the streetwise way the visitors handled the atrocious conditions.

But I'd suggest another factor was the contrasting build-ups the two sides had experienced over the preceding fortnight of European rugby.

Bath played back-to-back fixtures against an effectively second-tier Italian side, winning both games by a handsome margin.

Sarries, by contrast, arrived at The Rec following an altogether sterner ordeal – consecutive games against one of the titans of the European club game, Munster.

Moreover, they arrived on the crest of a wave having seen off the former European champions at Vicarage Road.

Calvisano and Munster. Amlin and Heineken. Chalk and cheese.

The level of intensity required to front up against the former bears no resemblance to what the latter requires. As such, it cannot come as a surprise that Bath took a while to warm to their task on Saturday – by which point Saracens had the game by the scruff of the neck.

The logic here is that playing in the Amlin Cup doesn't just hinder your chances of competing against the best in Europe, it can hinder your ability to keep pace with the best in the Premiership.

Bath were distinctly off that pace on Saturday, although there were brief flashes of encouragement. They got their mauling working to potent effect on a couple of occasions and had the Sarries scrum in trouble early in the first period.

But at key moments, the Saracens set-piece delivered – and the visitors kept the scoreboard turning over.

Bath head coach Gary Gold spoke ahead of this fixture of how Saracens had set the benchmark in the Premiership. Measured against that benchmark, Bath are some distance away from hitting the standards of their rivals.

Coach Mike Ford admitted as much after the final whistle, before adding: "We're not slitting our throats yet."

The majority of the Premiership season is played in poor weather and Saracens delivered a masterclass in not only coping with the elements but in turning them to their advantage. As Bath's knock-on count crept up, so did Sarries' stranglehold.

It couldn't have been a much more dismal start to the festive period for Bath and their supporters. The resolve of Gold's side will now be put to the test with consecutive away matches against Exeter and Wasps.

It isn't a fixture card for the faint-hearted but it's one which could play a large part in determining whether Bath are in contention for Heineken Cup rugby next season.

TOM BRADSHAW: Heineken Cup absence is keenly felt at The Rec

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