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'Prince' brings Snow White story to life for children from a Bath nursery

December 29, 2012, 12:00 am
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Children from a Bath nursery got to meet a prince as one of the stars from the Theatre Royal's pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs dropped in.

West End actor Ben Harlow, who is starring as the Prince, surprised children at the First Steps Twerton Children's Centre during a special Snow White themed story-time session.

Mr Harlow said: "I was delighted to accept an invitation from the nursery to meet the children and bring the tale of Snow White to life in their pre-school room.

"It was also a pleasure to meet the staff at First Steps Twerton and to see the excellent facilities they provide all year round for local children."

First Steps children's services manager Ann Thurgood said: "We were thrilled to welcome Ben Harlow, the pantomime prince, who gave the children a Christmas treat by reading to them and giving them a taster of the wonderful pantomime."

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs appears at the Theatre Royal until Sunday, January 13.

Tickets are available from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01225 448844.

'Prince' brings Snow White story to life for children from a Bath nursery

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Forever Friends Appeal gets New Year's Eve boost at Bath nightclub

December 29, 2012, 12:00 am
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A Bath nightclub will be marking the end of the year by raising money for the Forever Friends Appeal.

People are invited to attend a champagne reception at The Earl in Manvers Street before seeing in the new year at the Second Bridge nightclub.

Twenty-five per cent of the £10 ticket price will go to the appeal's Cancer Care Campaign, raising £5 million towards a £20.5 million cancer centre at the Royal United Hospital.

The evening starts at 9.30, with a champagne reception at The Earl, before continuing at Second Bridge, where entertainment includes cocktails, a roulette table, vintage photo booth and swing band.

Tickets are available from www.prohibition-bath.co.uk.

Forever Friends Appeal gets New Year's Eve boost at Bath nightclub

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Days of vinyl inspire new exhibition atthe 4AD artspace gallery in Bath

December 29, 2012, 12:00 am
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A Bath art gallery is hoping for record success in every sense with a new exhibition.

The 44AD artspace gallery and studios in a former pet shop in Lower Borough Walls has launched Deck the Walls – a show inspired by vinyl.

It features more than 50 resident and guest artists who responded to an open call for submissions.

Each was asked to create a record store-themed work within a 12-inch by 12-inch format on a medium of their choice.

In line with the theme, original pictures will be sold for £78, with limited edition prints going for £33.

Among the artists taking part is Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Paul Crossley, whose work Let's Dance will be sold for the hospice Dorothy House.

Deck the Walls is on until January 6.

Days of vinyl inspire new exhibition atthe 4AD artspace gallery in Bath

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Sir Bradley Wiggins, Dame Sarah Storey and equestrian stars lead sporting dominance of the 2013 New Year Honours

December 29, 2012, 12:24 am
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They won the hearts of the nation, claimed record numbers of medals and created moments that will live long in the memory. And now the sporting heroes who made 2012 so unforgettable will enjoy another hurrah, as Olympic and Paralympic athletes dominate the New Year honours list. On top of the list is the man who conquered France and brought home Olympic gold before securing cycling's first Sports Personality of the Year accolade. Bradley Wiggins gets a knighthood to go with his gold medals and Tour de France yellow jersey. In the West Country, a trio of equestrian athletes catch the eye: Gloucestershire's Charlotte Dujardin has a CBE and there are MBEs for Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer. There are also MBEs for Dorset Olympic shooter Peter Wilson and para-equestrian Deborah Criddle, from Somerset. Rower Alex Gregory, from Cheltenham, who won gold in the men's fours this summer, will be rewarded with an MBE. A leading organiser of the West Country's contribution to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Simon Williams, who masterminded the sailing events in Weymouth, is also recognised with an MBE. Away from sport, among those honoured in the West Country are an inspirational teacher, a renowned artist and dedicated foster carers. Dozens in the region have been saluted – with the freshly introduced British Empire Medal putting the spotlight on those who are often overlooked. A total of 1,223 people were recommended to the Queen for an award, 1,068 at the level of MBE, OBE and the British Empire Medal, which was reintroduced after 20 years this year to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Women make up 47 per cent of the total list, which includes 13 dames. Awards for sport make up 10 per cent of the total honours, with a special London 2012 and Paralympic Games list created to recognise the nation's sportsmen and women. Para-cyclist Sarah Storey was among them, the only sportswoman to be made a dame. Dame Sarah is honoured for services to para-cycling after winning four gold medals at London 2012.
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Tour de France, Olympic gold and now a knighthood for Bradley Wiggins

December 29, 2012, 12:29 am
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Bradley Wiggins, the mod from Kilburn who made sporting history by winning the Tour de France and an Olympic gold this year, is knighted in the 2013 New Year Honours. Sir Bradley heads a sparkling list of sporting heroes, including sailor Ben Ainslie, who gets a knighthood, para-cyclist Sarah Storey, who is made a dame, and Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton, Mo Farah and David Weir, who all get CBEs. Affectionately known as Wiggo, the first British winner of the Tour, said: "It's quite something really. I never imagined that I would ever become a knight so it's an incredible honour but there's a slight element of disbelief, and it will take a while to sink in. "There was never any doubt whether I'd accept it or not, it was more a case that I never saw myself as a sir, and I probably never will." The sporting stars who achieved so much at London 2012 meant a special honours list was added this year. There was also recognition for those behind the Games. Lord Coe, who becomes a Companion of Honour, while Jean Tomlin, who led the Games Maker programme, gets an OBE. Sir Bradley's knighthood is undoubtedly the icing on the cake in a year which saw him win the Tour de France, take Olympic gold in London, then be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. In the West Country those honoured include the three equestrian stars from Gloucestershire – Charlotte Dujardin, from Newent in the Forest of Dean, who gets a CBE, and MBEs for Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer, who lives in the little village of Ampney St Peter near Cirencester. MBEs will also be handed to Deborah Criddle, the para-equestrian star from the village of Trull, near Taunton, and Peter Wilson, the charming double trap shooter who hails from Glanvilles Woott, near Sherborne, in Dorset. His coach Ian Coley, who runs a gun shop in Cheltenham's High Street, also receives an MBE. And of course Ben Ainslie's feats are finally recognised with the knighthood sailing demanded. Ainslie said: "This is an incredible honour. When I set out Olympic sailing 20 years ago, I never would have dreamt this would happen." CBEs go to some of sport's biggest household names – rower Katherine Grainger, heptathlete and London 2012 poster girl Ennis, cyclist Pendleton, wheelchair athlete Weir, and Farah, who captured the nation's hearts with his double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m. OBEs go to equestrian Sophie Christiansen tennis hero Andy Murray, paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and cycling couple Laura Trott and Jason Kenny. Among those to get MBEs are boxer Nicola Adams; canoeist Timothy Baillie; rowers Katherine Copeland and Helen Glover; wheelchair racer "Hurricane" Hannah Cockcroft; and paralympic swimmer Josef Craig. Triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee gets an MBE but brother Jonathan, who took bronze, misses out, while the MBE also goes to Welsh tae kwon do gold medallist Jade Jones, Paralympic poster boy Jonnie Peacock, long jump hero Greg Rutherford and gymnast Louis Smith. The honours also recognise those who contributed to London 2012 in a "non-sporting capacity", although Danny Boyle, creator of the epic opening ceremony, is missing amid speculation he turned down an honour. Also honoured are those who ensured the South West's Olympic events ran smoothly – an OBE for Anna Payne, Weymouth and Portland manager, and an MBE for Simon William, the head of 2012 Operations at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, who lives in Dorchester, Dorset. Away from sport, the Companion of Honour goes to the former Bristol schoolboy Professor Peter Higgs, namesake of the Higgs boson or so-called "God particle", which was finally proved to exist in July, 48 years after he first proposed it. There is a knighthood for illustrator Quentin Blake and CBEs for artist Tracey Emin, choreographer Arlene Phillips and singer/songwriter Kate Bush. Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Phillips said: "I am very pleasantly surprised but mostly thrilled and delighted to receive such a wonderful honour". Tony Blair's wife Cherie is given a CBE in recognition of her service to women's issues and to charity in the UK and overseas. Former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash gets an MBE. Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe gets a knighthood while Jonathan Evans, head of MI5, is made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. Recognised with an MBE in the Diplomatic and Overseas list is Captain Raymond "Jerry" Roberts, one of the four founder members of Bletchley Park's Testery section, tasked with breaking the German top-level code Tunny. An MBE also goes to Penelope Clough, 53, who set up the Justice For Jane Campaign with husband John after her daughter was murdered by her ex-partner in 2010 while he was on bail.

Tour de France, Olympic gold and now a knighthood for Bradley Wiggins

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Thirty years of living with MS for Bath woman Ann Tweedale

December 29, 2012, 12:30 am
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After living with the neurological condition multiple sclerosis for more than 30 years, a Bath woman has written a book about her experiences.

Ann Tweedale, from Larkhall, was diagnosed with the condition, which affects around 100,000 people in the UK in 1980 after suffering from eye problems.

Two years ago she decided to write about her experiences, including visits to India to see her faith guru.

Keep On Keeping On charts her life, from university days through her diagnosis and spiritual visits to India, to how she copes now.

Mrs Tweedale, 71, who lives with her husband Duncan, said: "Sometimes it's like trying to struggle out of thick mud in the mornings, but there are good days when you feel things are improving.

"It's a rollercoaster ride every day.

"I am lucky to have a supportive husband."

She said her faith in the Indian guru and mystic Sathya Sai Baba, who died last year, had also been a major help.

Mrs Tweedale visited her GP after her eyes started throbbing and her vision suffered

She was sent to the London Eye Hospital where she was diagnosed with optic neuritis – one of the early signs of MS.

She first heard about the guru in 1984, when a friend loaned her a book on him.

She said: "I started to read and couldn't stop.

"There was a lot about healing, which since I have MS has always been a draw."

After watching a video where he cured a woman with thyroid cancer she decided to visit India to meet him.

This changed her life, and her way of thinking, and led to a further seven visits to the country.

Mrs Tweedale said: "I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

"It was tiring, terrifying and tremendous.

"Going there changed my outlook entirely, hopefully to make me a more humane person."

Keeping On Keeping On is available in bookshops and on Amazon priced £15, under Mrs Tweedale's maiden name Ann Scorgie.

Some money from the sale of each book will be donated to the Bristol MS Centre.

For more information on MS visit www.mssociety.org.uk.

Thirty years of living with MS for Bath woman Ann Tweedale

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House targets slashed after planning rule

December 29, 2012, 12:30 am
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Housebuilding targets in the South West have been slashed by almost a fifth since changes were made to planning rules to enable more housing to be built. A report by think-tank Policy Exchange said the region made the biggest cut (18.28 per cent) in the country, more than double the national average of 7.24 per cent. Councils in England have cut their home-building targets by more than 270,000 and the radical reductions could result in the lowest level of house-building since the 1920s, the think tank warned, casting doubt on claims that the Government is setting carte blanche for developers to concrete over the countryside. Regional Spatial Strategies were introduced in 2004 and set planning frameworks for all areas of England outside London. They were abolished by the Coalition in 2010 in a move designed to give local authorities more power. Councils have used this power to reduce targets, with the target in the whole South West being cut by 108,380, almost double the next highest, in the South East. The regions are the two with the most biggest shortages. Although the targets are seldom hit, they govern the release of land for housing, meaning that less land will be made available, said Policy Exchange, as councils drag their feet in areas where more housing may be unpopular – whether because it may cause overcrowding, as in the South East, or infringe on countryside, as in the South West. The report calls for the Government to ensure that councils build the number of homes indicated in their targets, rather than seeking to force them to increase them. The number and powers of neighbourhood plans should be increased, said the report, and more brownfield sites should be used for housing. "The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have rightly made it clear that we need to build more homes. Yet the Government is on track to preside over the lowest level of house-building since the 1920s," the report's author Alex Morton said. "Relying on councils to expand housing targets was a mistake. The coalition should focus on fixing the failures with the housing market." A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said: "The analysis in this Policy Exchange report is completely wrong. "Top-down regional targets didn't work and built nothing but resentment. It is meaningless to point to targets which were never going to be built. "As promised in the Coalition Agreement, this Government is abolishing the ineffective, unpopular and bureaucratic tier of regional planning." "Instead, it is simplifying the planning system and has introduced the New Homes Bonus to work with local communities, not against them." New housing supply has increased by 11 per cent this year to reach its highest level since 2008, the DCLG said.
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Honoured . . . the inspirational people in our region

December 29, 2012, 12:33 am
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A leading organiser of the West Country's contribution to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, an inspirational teacher, a renowned artist and dedicated foster-carers are among the dozens of West Country people receiving New Year Honours. Simon Williams, head of 2012 Operations for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is appointed an MBE for services to the Games. The resorts played host to the sailing events, and Mr Williams and his team rose to the challenge of ensuring Dorset was ready for the international spotlight. Leading conservationist Martin Coulson Spray, chief executive of the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust based at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire also becomes a CBE. The trust is one of the world's largest and most respected wetland conservation organisations, and is playing a leading role in the reintroduction of cranes to the Somerset Levels. Mr Spray said: "This honour is not something I was expecting at all." The trust concerns itself with wetlands, and water management whether it affects wildlife or people. He said: "The whole weather system we have had this year highlights the fact that we have to manage our flood plains like they used to be. Better management of our whole water system should be a priority for the Government after this year because of the hardship to people and the economy." Richard Long, the Bristol-born and based Turner-prize winning sculptor, painter and photographer also becomes a CBE. His art is made by walking in landscapes and he uses materials such as stone, wood and mud collected on lengthy walks world-wide to reflect man's relationship with the natural world. Rail boss Julian Crow, First Great Western's regional manager for the West of England becomes an MBE. Paying tribute to Mr Crow, David Redgewell, of the South West Transport Network, said: "He is hugely committed to railways in the South West and public transport from Cheltenham to Penzance, and has put in a huge amount of effort to secure improvements." Inspirational Somerset teacher Simon Pugh-Jones becomes an MBE. He founded The Orchid Project at Writhlington School in Radstock, which has involved students in global conservation and research for more than 20 years. Orchids propagated at the school are sent out to communities world-wide, providing locals with a crop and an income without having to take plants from the wild. Highlights have included gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show and expeditions to some of the world's most remote tropical habitats. Mr Pugh-Jones said: "There is no experience for young students interested in science and horticulture quite like travelling to remote areas like Southern Laos to share their laboratory skills with local people and help to make a real difference for conservation and rural development. "I am delighted that the work of my students and I has been recognised and this recognition will help us in our continuing efforts to develop initiatives for the benefit of communities in tropical countries and of course the Writhlington pupils who put so much into those initiatives." In 2013 students will travel to Rwanda and to Sikkim in the Himalayas to work with schools. At a time when more foster-carers are needed nationwide, one Dorset couple who have helped to transform the lives of almost 100 children become MBEs. Philip and Wendy Hopkins of Sherborne, who have four children of their own are still fostering at the ages of 67 and 73. Mrs Hopkins said yesterday: "Fostering keeps you fit, you haven't got time to feel old. It's something I always wanted to do. We've had children staying short and long-term. It's very rewarding I would really recommend it." Philip White, chief executive of the Hestercombe Gardens Trust, who mortgaged his house to begin restoration of Hestercombe's 18th century landscape garden, becomes an MBE. Hestercombe already boasted a Grade I-listed formal Edwardian garden, but it was Mr White's determination to uncover the landscape garden that transformed the whole site into an acclaimed attraction, listed among the top 20 gardens in Britain. He secured major grants including £3.7million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to complete the work. "This has come as a great surprise, but it's been a great privilege to be able to restore Hestercombe's extraordinary historic landscape. I have been associated with the gardens since 1992 when I first realised that hidden beneath the coniferous woodland and brambles in the valley behind Hestercombe House, were the remains of a once beautiful, 18th century landscape garden complete with lakes, cascades, garden buildings and stunning vistas. You could say, it then became my life's mission to restore it!' John Henry Batchelor, the Wimborne-based illustrator, whose work has thrilled generations of aviation enthusiasts, receives an MBE for services to illustration. He worked for the technical publications departments of Bristol Aircraft Co, Martin-Baker Aircraft Co and Saunders-Roe Ltd before going freelance. His work has appeared in technical magazines as well as The Eagle comic and beginning in the 1980s he has produced artwork for postage stamps for many countries. David Edgington of Westbury, Wiltshire, whose books on historic Lister engines have helped enthusiasts maintain their own examples is awarded an MBE for services to Industrial heritage.
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Bath student's dramatic performance in exams earns praise

December 29, 2012, 1:00 am
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A pupil at Bath's King Edward's School has been showered with praise over her drama exam success.

"Very gifted indeed" and "outstanding in all areas" were among the comments made by examiners from exam board WJEC on the practical performance by Olivia Hayes in her drama and theatre studies A-level exam.

Olivia came first of all the candidates who studied the subject with WJEC this year, receiving 390 marks out of 400.

WJEC exams officer Jo Johnson presented Olivia with a certificate and a cheque for £50 to mark her achievement.

Commenting on Olivia's practical performance mark sheet, the examiner said: "One of the best devised practical performances I've ever seen – beyond full marks.

"Outstanding in all areas, in both pieces. Very gifted indeed."

Chief executive of WJEC, Gareth Pierce, said: "This is an outstanding, and evidence of the hard work that Olivia and her teachers put into preparing for the examinations."

Olivia has just directed the North Road independent school's latest winter production, Bacchae – a Greek tragedy by Euripedes.

Bath student's dramatic performance in exams earns praise

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Bath City v Dorchester rained off but Keynsham beat the washout

December 29, 2012, 9:00 am
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Just one match survived another footballing weekend washout. Heavy rain forced the cancellation of Bath City's Blue Square Bet South home game against Dorchester Town. The Toolstation League Premier Division fixtures involving Bitton, Larkhall Athletic and Odd Down were also called off. Bradford Town's Division 1 match at Calne Town was off too but Keynsham Town's all-weather pitch meant they beat the washout once more, as they did last weekend - but lost 2-1 at home to Sherborne Town (3pm). All fixtures in the Somerset County League and Mid-Somerset League were postponed. Clubs will be hoping for a respite from the weather ahead of their New Year's Day fixtures, with Bath City due to travel to Weston-super-Mare.
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Bath Rugby come through "test of character" to draw with Chiefs

December 29, 2012, 10:00 am
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MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs 12 Bath Rugby 12 Bath Rugby coach Toby Booth believes his side's resilience stands their Aviva Premiership play-off chances in good stead after battling back to claim a draw against Exeter Chiefs. Trailing 12-5 with five minutes remaining, Bath kicked a penalty to the corner, won the lineout and drove for a penalty try before replacement Tom Heathcote struck a nerveless conversion to seal a share of the spoils. Earlier, Gareth Steenson's four penalties had booted the Chiefs seven points clear with 30 minutes to go, after Bath scrum-half Michael Claassens' first-half try had put his side 5-3 to the good. It was never going to be a high-scoring affair in wet and windy conditions at Sandy Park but, after their 22-0 humbling by Saracens last week, Booth was delighted with the way his side showed their mettle. "The points are obviously important but the big picture is the resilience," he said. "Bouncing back from last week is really important because that's a test of character. We spoke about a test of character, not about rugby this week, and I think we've come through that test. "That's the pleasing thing. It's that test of character that gets you through the dark months and dark spaces to get on the other side." Fellow coach Mike Ford added: "I thought we played well in the first half and I thought we deserved to go in ahead at half-time but we gave that penalty away right before the break. "We started the second half poorly, which set the tone, and we spent too much time in our own half but our character is to never give up and that came through." The Chiefs were on the hunt for revenge, having lost out to Bath earlier this season before embarking on a six-game winning run in all competitions which was only ended last weekend by Gloucester Rugby. They drew first blood with a Steenson penalty but back came Bath with a real moment of quality as Claassens finished in the corner. Steenson kicked his side back into what appeared to be a winning position, only for the visitors to strike with four minutes remaining, much to the annoyance of Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter. "Whenever a team peg you back that late in the game, specifically when you've got quite good control of things, it feels tough," he said. "I don't think we played well enough in the first half. I don't think our forwards were right on the money. That changed pretty dramatically in the second half and ultimately they gave us the control to really pull away from Bath. "But then we did what we did in the first half, which was double up a couple of errors and a couple of penalties, and all of a sudden we're defending in the corner. A penalty try happens and the game is gone from you. "We like to look at the positives and that's the best result we've had against Bath. It's the most control of the game we've had against Bath and those are positives for us going forward. "We're still unbeaten at home, we're still collecting points and we're still in the top half of the league, which is where we want to be." Aviva are proud to be title sponsor of Aviva Premiership Rugby, one of the world's leading rugby union competitions. Each season will feature 135 games, watched by 1.7 million people live at the grounds and many more through broadcast partners Sky, ITV and ESPN. Visit www.premiershiprugby.com.
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Ex-Oldfield teacher Helen Glover wins TV's Superstars

December 30, 2012, 1:28 am
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Former Oldfield School PE teacher Helen Glover was crowned women's Superstars champion in an Olympic special revival of the show filmed in Bath. The 26-year-old gold medallist rower, who developer her skills in Bath, outclassed fellow London 2012 stars in running, swimming and gym tests. The men's title was won by boxer Anthony Joshua, with University of Bath-based silver medallist swimmer Michael Jamieson coming second. The BBC1 programme - with activities at the university, the Assembly Rooms, and Claverton - featured 16 sportsmen and women, including double gold medallist Mo Farah. They competed in teeming rain in disciplines that also included archery and cycling. Glover, who was given an MBE is yesterday's New Year's honours, tweeted: "Thank you for all of the lovely tweets! Perfect way to end the year, competing with some amazing people #superstarschamp."
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Village of Saltford back on the tourist map

December 31, 2012, 12:00 am
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The village of Saltford has been put back on the tourist map – literally.

Two councillors in the village, which has a population of more than 4,000, say they were amazed to find it was not on a 500,000-print run leaflet available at tourist information centres in the Bath and Somerset area.

Now parish councillors Duncan Hounsell and Chris Warren have persuaded Take One Media, which produces the leaflet Somerset – Things to See & Do to put the village on the map which is featured in its 2013 edition.

Mr Hounsell said: "Putting Saltford on this map is important for all the visitor-related businesses in Saltford."

Mr Warren added: "We are delighted with the rapid response."

The village boasts a Norman church, a 12th-century manor house said to be the oldest continuously occupied dwelling in England, and an 18th- century brass mill.

Village of Saltford back on the tourist map

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£200m budget for Bath patients is revealed

December 31, 2012, 12:00 am
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Doctors taking charge of the NHS budget in Bath and North East Somerset under a controversial health shake-up are to receive more than £200 million to pay for patient care in the coming year.

But while this represents a 2.3 per cent increase in funding on the current year, the Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is likely in reality to have less money than was spent on NHS services locally this time round.

Under the health service reforms, primary care trusts such as NHS B&NES are to be abolished next year.

These will be replaced by the GP-led groups which will be given control of NHS budgets and decide which treatments and services will be provided within their area.

The NHS Commissioning Board has revealed the budget allocations for each of the new GP commissioning groups for buying health services.

NHS Bath and North East Somerset CCG will receive £206,474,000.

However, the board's planning guidance states the GP groups will have to hold back one per cent of their budgets in order to run a surplus at the end of the year.

They have also been instructed to ring-fence a further two per cent of their overall budget to spend on "non-recurrent" items only, which will need to be signed off by the central board.

An NHS B&NES spokesperson said: "B&NES CCG has received its budget allocation along with all other CCGs across the country. It is a normal requirement that non-recurrent and ring-fenced funding is held back by the commissioning organisation."

The influential health think-tank, the King's Fund, has warned the mandatory savings mean the GP groups will have less to spend in real terms and has fuelled fears that GPs will have to get involved in rationing.

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Minister: Trusts must work together to cut NHS costs

December 31, 2012, 2:27 am
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A health minister has fired a warning shot by members of a controversial West Country NHS "pay cartel" reminding them that the Government's "priority" is nationally agreed arrangements. A letter from Dan Poulter, under-secretary of state at the Department of Health, was sent to the chairmen of 19 NHS trusts which belong to the South West Pay and Terms and Conditions Consortium. The organisation, which includes hospitals in Poole, Gloucester, Bristol, Bath, Salisbury, Taunton and Yeovil says it has come together to deal with unprecedented economic challenges. However, unions representing NHS workers have voiced fears it is simply a tool to drive down terms and conditions. The letter from Dr Poulter was written following a meeting with MPs from the region who had expressed concerns over the aims of the SWC. It makes clear the Government's commitment to Agenda for Change, the nationally negotiated contracts for NHS staff. Dr Poulter writes that the Government supports the use of "existing statutory flexibilities" for the benefit of patients. He said: "We also believe that significant benefits can be achieved from trusts coming together to achieve economies of scale in areas such as procurement and back office functions." He adds that: "Nonetheless we understand that most NHS employers believe that national contracts of employment [under Agenda for Change] can provide advantages for both employers and staff, provided they remain affordable and fit for purpose." Most importantly for the SWC, Dr Poulter adds that its "priority is to continue to develop the Agenda for Change system and ensure national terms of conditions for NHS staff remain fit for purpose to support the recruitment and retention of good quality staff in the most cost-effective and efficient way". The creation of the SWC, which health trusts had to pay £10,000 to join, has been controversial from the onset. Discussion documents from the SWC emphasise that "absolutely no proposals" have been put forward. However, the papers do detail a number of "staff cost reduction potential opportunities". These include asking people to work extra hours for no extra pay The SWC said its research suggested 6,000 NHS jobs in the West could be safeguarded by trusts adopting a number of the recommendations. Chris Bown, chairman of the SWC, said the current economic circumstances were forcing trusts to act. He said: "Existing legislation permits NHS trusts freedoms in how pay, terms and conditions are arranged at a local level. "The consortium was established to explore ways in which these existing freedoms may be used to support services. "This remains the case."
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Mother Natasha Bird's second Christmas baby

December 31, 2012, 2:34 am
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A mother has defied odds of more than 130,000 to one to give birth on the same day for a second time – on Christmas Day. Natasha Bird, 24, welcomed eldest son Louis into the world on December 25, 2005, but was stunned when his little brother Sonny arrived exactly seven years later. She gave birth at 3.15am on Christmas Day, after arriving at Chippenham Community Hospital at 10am on Christmas Eve. The mother of three said Louis, seven, was looking forward to sharing his birthday with Sonny, who weighed 7lb 1oz. She said: "There will be two cakes next year – it's going to be busy but it couldn't be as hectic as this year. "Louis wanted him to come on his birthday – he's been saying that for weeks." Bookmaker James Desmond said: " "It is a long shot to have a baby on Christmas Day, but to have two puts the odds up to a phenomenal level."
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2012 quiz answers

December 31, 2012, 2:59 am
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ANSWERS Politics 1 Nick Clegg, whose video saying sorry over tuition fees was turned in to a spoof song, 2 Tory MP Nadine Dorries, who took time off work to appear in I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, 3 Falkirk MP Eric Joyce, who lashed out after declaring there were "too many" Tories in the bar, 4 Commons Speaker John Bercow, 5 Louise Mensch, whose husband Peter manages heavy rock band Metallica, 6 George Osborne, caught travelling first class with a standard class train ticket, 7 Humberside's police and crime commissioner, 8 Nancy Cameron. The premier's daughter got left behind after a post-Sunday lunch mix-up, 9 London mayor Boris Johnson, who got stuck on a zip wire, 10 Chris Huhne, who faces trial at Southwark Crown Court on January 14. General 1 The Diamond Jubilee celebrations, 2 Losing presidential candidate Mitt Romney, 3 Football manager Harry Redknapp, 4 Antony Worrall Thompson, 5 Clinton Cards, 6 Rebekah Brooks, in evidence to the Leveson Inquiry, 7 Abu Hamza, 8 Abu Qatada, 9 c – 18, 10 The Costa Concordia. Births, deaths and marriages 1 Blue Ivy, 2 Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah after his wife Tania gave birth to twin girls, 3 Robbie Williams, whose partner Ayda Field gave birth to Theodora Rose Williams, 4 Katy Perry and Russell Brand, 5 Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, 6 Taylor Swift, 7 Whitney Houston, 8 Frank Carson, 9 Vidal Sassoon, 10 Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. Who said? 1 Lord Justice Leveson, in May, after Education Secretary Michael Gove raised concerns at his inquiry about restraints on the "precious liberty", 2 Lord Seb Coe at the Olympics closing ceremony in August, 3 Tory MP Aidan Burley, tweeting about the Olympics opening ceremony, 4 Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, joking with crowds in the Champs Elysees in July, 5 Former BBC boss George Entwistle, in November, on his failure to ask why a Newsnight story on the Jimmy Savile sex scandal was being dropped, 6 The Prince of Wales, in a tribute at the end of the Buckingham Palace concert, 7 Barack Obama, claiming victory in November in what became the most retweeted Twitter post ever, 8 Former Barclays boss Bob Diamond on the rate-fixing scandal, 9 Double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah, 10 Former IRA commander Martin McGuinness after shaking hands with the Queen in June. Showbiz 1 Tattooed X Factor winner James Arthur, 2 Bond film Skyfall, which superseded Avatar, taking £94.3 million in 40 days, 3 Aled Jones, presenter of ITV1's Daybreak, 4 Uggie, 5 Karen Gillan, who left her role as Amy Pond in Doctor Who, 6 X Factor supremo Simon Cowell, 7 Ceremony host James Corden, 8 Jesus Christ Superstar – Moyles played King Herod, 9 Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 10 Sacha Baron Cohen, attending the event in character as The Dictator. Olympics 1 Cyclist Lizzie Armitstead, who took silver in the women's road race, 2 An old fishing boat, 3 Warren Zevon's 1978 song Werewolves of London, 4 Murderball, 5 Sir Chris Hoy, who won his sixth gold in London, 6 Jessica Ennis, 7 Laura Trott and Jason Kenny, 8 Ben Ainslee, 9 Long jumper Greg Rutherford, 10 Usain Bolt, bullish after defending his 100m and 200m titles. Culture 1 Woman in a Red Armchair, 2 The Eiffel Tower, 3 Sir Tom Stoppard, 4 Timothy Spall, 5 Vertigo, 6 Levon Helm, 7 Matilda, 8 Gore Vidal, 9 Northumberlandia, 10 Elizabeth McGovern. Music 1 Kimbra, 2 Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber, 3 Call Me Maybe, 4 Calvin Harris, 5 Emeli Sandé, 6 Pristina, Yugoslavia, 7 Kylie Minogue, 8 Coldplay, 9 Gangnam Style, 10 Girls Aloud. Sport 1 Chris Froome, 2 The US Open, 3 Three – Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto di Matteo and Rafa Benitez, 4 The then England captain Andrew Strauss, 5 Sergio Aguero, 6 Frankie Dettori, 7 He swam in front of the boats, causing the University Boat Race to be halted, 8 Wales, 9 Europe's Ryder Cup winners, 10 Dereck Chisora and David Haye after their brawl in Munich.
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Get your skates on . . . Bath on Ice rink defies the rain

December 31, 2012, 5:06 am
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Rain hasn't stopped play at Bath's outdoor ice skating rink. The Bath on Ice rink in Royal Victoria Park is open whatever the weather, with ice marshals out in force and adding to the fun with advice and encouragement. Simon Smith, director of Excel Tennis which is running the attraction, said: recent rain had actually made the surface even smoother. The 25-year-old added: "We have had really good feedback and we've had people coming back six or seven times and everyone has really enjoyed it." "It's really nice to see people enjoying mince pies and mulled wine as well. There has been a really nice atmosphere." The attraction has taken years of planning and hours of hard work but could return next Christmas if enough income has been generated. Hoping the rink is back in 2013 were father and daughter Karl and Georgia Tall, who live in Bath. "It is one of the few days where we have got absolutely nothing on so we decided to come down," said Mr Tall. "I think it's a great idea for Christmas. There used to be one in Queen Square and it's nice to see a rink back again." Bath on Ice is open daily from 10am, until Sunday, January 6. To book online visit www.bathonice.com or ring 07583 258688.

Get your skates on . . . Bath on Ice rink defies the rain

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The top stories on This is Bath in 2012

December 31, 2012, 8:13 am
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We gathered to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, lined the streets to welcome the Olympic Torch to Bath and splashed around in the wettest year since record began. A fighter jet drama played out in the skies over Bath and Hollywood came to the city to film Les Miserables at Pulteney Weir. Bath was touched with tragedy as Kirsty Bowen's friends paid tribute to the popular teenager who was killed in a car crash but we also had triumph, as thousands pounded the streets in the Bath Half Marathon. This is Bath and the Bath Chronicle have recorded the events that have made 2012 a year to remember. Thousands of you have logged onto the site every day to keep up to date with the latest news, sport and entertainment news. We have looked through the archives to pick out some of the most visited articles of 2012 for our review of the year. You can leave your own personal memories of 2012 in the comments section below. JANUARY The year began with a road rage video which became a YouTube sensation, ex-soldier, 88-year-old Gordon King becoming a hero for tackling a pair of robbers with his walking stick and brides to be speaking out after a luxury wedding venue closed leaving uncertainty over their wedding plans. FEBRUARY Bath was on snow alert at the begining of February while a warning of a different kind was issued by the advertising watchdog, which told a Bath Christian group to remove claims that it could heal people from its website and leaflets. Ex Prime Miniser Gordon Brown's wife Sarah tackled a sporting challenge alone after TV presenter Lorraine Kelly was injured while training. MARCH The sun shone and 12,000 runners hit the streets for the Bath Half Marathon. The city really caught the athletics bug as the route for the Olympic torch was revealed. On a sour sporting note, a rugby player was jailed for breaking a Bath teacher's jaw during a match but good news returned when a teenage Bath fishmonger rescued a woman from the river and an appeal was launched after a hoard of 30,000 Roman coins was found. APRIL A faulty distress call from helicopter sparked a drama over the skies of Bath which saw Typhoon Euroighters screaming across the city and causing a sonic boom which was heard across several counties. Another distress call, this time to a 999 operator, alerted police to an assault by a Bath woman on her ex-partner in a rather painful region and the emergency services came to the rescue again when five cars caught fire in Oldfield Park. Bath Rugby were also forced to deny rumours All Black Stephen Donald was returning to New Zealand. MAY It was party time as the Olympic Torch arrived in Bath but the that fell flat for music fans when the Bath punk festival was cancelled. A campaign was launched to save the Packhorse pub in May and one pensioner was in need of help after driving her car half a mile down a river path. JUNE There was drama of a different kind when a hot air balloon was forced to land close to a busy road and a Range Rover driver was left steaming when he was fined for taking up two parking spaces. But there smiling faces all round when the best of Bath were rewarded in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. JULY The were celebrations on Pulteney Bridge when Mark and Poppy Powell launched their ice cream parlour KnickerbockerGlory but there was a chill in the air when a blueprint putting a lid on the number of new homes was sent back to the drawning board. And there were howls of disbelief when an RSPCA officer called out to rescue a baby deer was given a parking ticket. AUGUST There was a lucky escape for the American rock band Baroness when their tour bus crashed 30ft off a road near Bath in heavy rain.Bridesmaid star Chris O'Dowd also survived his stag weekend in Bath and Monty Python star John Cleese continued the wedding theme when he got hitched to wife No 4. SEPTEMBER Justice caught up with a serial troublemaker who police called the "scourge" of his community and a beggar who was given as Asbo after being reported to police 27 times this year. There was shock of a different kind for one Bath family who woke to find a huge hole in their front garden - and watched it get bigger during the day. OCTOBER There were tears as family and friends paid to tribute Bath teenager Kirsty Bowen who was killed in a car crash two days after her 18th birthday.X factor star Jaheme Douglas broke down as a story broke about his abusive father but there was relief in Thailand as a man, although being repeated stabbed, saved his girlfriend from a sex gang. On a happier note, Hollywood came to Bath to film Les Miserables at Pulteney Weir. NOVEMBER More bad weather hit Bath, this time triggering a landslip which disloged a huge boulder which just missed nearby homes, all this just weeks after Bath woke to a wintery scene after a surprise snow storm. There was more bad new as free parking was scrapped in Royal Victoria Park and a lucky escaped for a bellringer who got entangled in rope at a Bathampton church. DECEMBER Everybody loved a Bath Blues Brothers tribute act but not, it seems, the Christmas Market organisers who thought they were too loud and pulled the plug on a performance. The battle of the supermarket giants in Bath hotted up after Homebase refused to budge from its Pines Way site. And finally, it looks like the end of the road for the eyesore Destructor Bridge in Bath after plans were announced to replace it as part of the Western Riverside development.
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Jim Rollo, Sean Canham and Glyn Garner leave Bath City

December 31, 2012, 9:05 am
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The end of 2012 marks the end of an era at Bath City after long-serving club captain Jim Rollo elected to leave Mayday Trust Park to move to Chippenham Town. Striker Sean Canham and goalkeeper Glyn Garner are also leaving the club, who are due to visit Weston-super-Mare tomorrow (3pm). Rollo's association with City dates back almost 15 years, to the first of his two loan spells at the club, and he joined the club permanently in May 2002. He is one of just six players to have appeared more than 400 times for City, with his 476th and final game coming in the 2-0 defeat at Billericay Town earlier this month. Chairman Manda Rigby said: "Goodbye Jim and best of luck from the bottom of our hearts. The place will never be the same without you and I am proud to call you a friend." She added that plans were being put in place to celebrate Rollo's time with City, where he played a key role in two famous promotion campaigns. Meanwhile, Canham - who scored 19 times during three loan spells at City - has left the club to start a new life in Australia, as revealed on www.thisisbath.co.uk on Boxing Day. Goalkeeper Garner is also leaving the club following tomorrow's match against Weston-super-Mare. The former Welsh International joined City from Newport County in the summer of 2011 having previously enjoyed a successful league career with Buty, Leyton Orient and Shrewsbury Town. He made a total of 57 appearances for City but has lost his place in the starting XI to Jason Mellor.
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