We all know what the BIG story was in 2020 but did you know that it’s also been a BIG year for Share & Repair too? So much has changed for them over the past 12 months that they are barely recognisable to a year ago. Here are their top 11 milestones this year. February: New Repair Café in High Littleton and took part in The BIG FIX along with Larkhall Repair Café. March: They opened the Share and Repair Shop on Broad Street (part 1) and re-located the Library of Things into the space. Ok, they had to close their doors before they’d even had a chance to welcome the public but that meant they were raring to go once lockdown lifted. March: They squeezed in their first ‘HOW TO’ workshop at the Weston Hub, giving participants some handy tips on how to use their hand and power tools just before lockdown started (useful!). April: They became a charity!!! This is a major milestone for them and means they are accountable. Importantly, it also means they can raise funds through grant-making trusts and from Gift Aid. June: They finally unlocked the door to the Share and Repair Shop on Broad Street (part 2), which one visitor said was “The best shop to open in Bath in the last 10 years”. Since then, they have loaned 411 items (and counting). July: They were determined to keep the people of Banes sharing and repairing. Like many organisations, they have had to pivot this year. In July they launched bookable repair sessions in the shop and their volunteers in Peasedown St John opened for remote mending. Way to go! (In September, they re-opened Repair Cafes in Southdown, Weston, Larkhall and Peasedown too although they have to skip the Café part for now.) September: They became the proud borrowers of a Cargo bike from Banes. On loan for three months, the bike means they deliver and collect items around Bath and reduce trips into the city. It also meant some fun introductory bike training for their ever-wonderful volunteers. October: They reached 400 items for loan in the Library of Things – many of them donated by wonderful people in BANES – and more than 2,000 items seen in Repair Cafes. November: They employed two members of staff – the amazing Abi, who had been with us since March, and the equally excellent Ellen. Both are now General Managers for Share and Repair – paid positions that have been made possible by funding from The Medlock Charitable Trust, The Raby Trust and Government funding. December: They had their first virtual meeting with four charities and 3SG to launch The Homebank Scheme. This will see Share and Repair provide safe and secure small electrical preloved items for disadvantaged people moving into their first home and will be an important part of our work next year. December: They launched their Gift Membership offer – year-long access to all the Things in the Library of Things for just £40. It’s an offer that is not just for Christmas…. As you can see, it’s been a bumper year for Share and Repair despite you know what. And they haven’t even mentioned taking part in the national Big Fix in February, their success on social media in March or launching their Proud Support and Super Supporter memberships in June. Understandably, they are super proud of their milestones in 2020 and are looking forward to 2021 with hope, resilience and ambition.

In Bath, every year in the past the Rotary Club of Bath organised a Christmas Carol Service in Bath Abbey attended by over 1000 locals including many elderly and disabled people which they transported to and from the Abbey. Like so many other activities they have not been able to organise this Service because of the coronavirus. As a result, so that their elderly and disabled attendees do not miss out, they have produced, in conjunction with Bath Radio, a virtual carol service with newly recorded prayers and readings and pre-recorded carols. This recording will be streamed to all the care homes and Royal United Hospital in Bath on Sunday 20th and 24th December at 1800. If you would like to listen to this superb recording this is the link for the Bath Radio internet broadcast usable at the dates and times above.: https://www.bathradio.org.uk/ In addition to these two it is now available at these sites: podcast https://rb.gy/gdafkw Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSWIKSbDNto WEbsite http://www.rotarybath.club/christmas-carol-service/ They hope as many people as possible get as much pleasure from this service as they got putting it together. Merry Christmas!

Bath & North East Somerset Council has received more than 2,000 applications for its free school meal vouchers and more families are being urged to apply if they haven’t already. More than 1,700 applications have already been processed since the scheme launched on December 8 to provide supermarket vouchers worth £40 to more than 4,000 eligible children in Bath and North East Somerset. The council is encouraging any families who haven’t yet applied to do so as soon as possible, or before the final deadline of January 4. The electronic vouchers can be spent in a range of supermarkets for the two weeks of the holidays and are available to the families of pupils entitled to benefit-related free school meals. They are part of a wide range of support for vulnerable families during the Christmas period. Early years settings have also been contacted by the council this week to ensure parents know they may be eligible, as the vouchers are also available for parents of pupils under school age who are in nursery or pre-school settings. This applies to parents who receive free childcare for two-year-olds, where benefits are such that they would have been entitled to free school meals. Parents can apply for vouchers online or for parents who do not have access to the internet, applications can be made by calling 01225 477777 and select option 4. Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve already been able to process more than 1,700 applications and issue more than 3,000 vouchers to parents and carers, but we would love more families to apply if they haven’t already. These vouchers are going to make a difference to so many families who will be able to enjoy Christmas without worrying how they are going to put food in front of their children. This includes families with children in early years settings as well as school-aged children. We’ll be continuing to process applications during the holidays, so don’t delay in getting in touch with us if you think you may be eligible.” The council has also committed to funding free school meals vouchers for February half term and is looking to provide support during the Easter holidays if funding is available. There are currently more than 4,000 children in Bath and North East Somerset who receive benefit-related free school meals and the scheme will cost £250k covering Christmas and February half-term. It is funded from the Government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme. 3SG and St John’s Foundation have already allocated £55,000 from a local fundraising appeal to community-led food projects serving communities of high-need across Bath and North East Somerset. There is also community support for families over Christmas: Anyone finding it hard to stay afloat on their food budget can contact their nearest FOOD Club or Pantry for an affordable way to supplement a weekly shop. Details can be found on the BANES Foodfinder at www.banesfoodfinder.org/listing/food-clubs-pantries Details of food banks across BANES are also on that link and they can tell you how to access a voucher to meet more urgent need. Anyone in need of support around food, money, debt, mental health, housing or employment is encouraged to contact the Community Wellbeing Hub, by calling 0300 257 0050 or email at BATHNES.thehub@virgincare.co.uk, where you will be connected to a wide range of support under one roof. Alternatively, the Welfare Support team can offer short-term, financial crisis support and are contactable on 01225 477 277 or email at welfare_support@bathnes.gov.uk. A searchable and comprehensive online listing of a wide range of community support across BANES can be found on the One Big Database at www.bathnes1bd.org.uk Many community groups and organisations across B&NES are working hard to source and pack Christmas hampers for families they work with and know will welcome that additional support at this time of year.

Christmas cheer to see off this difficult year No, you are not hearing things! Along with a few special guests, Age UK Bath & North East Somerset is bringing a Christmas Singing Bus spectacle to a street near you on Sunday December 20th. Recognising that this Christmas will be unlike any other and that many more people will be alone, the charity wants to spread Christmas cheer to as many people as possible, paying particular attention to areas that are at most risk of loneliness. Age UK B&NES has been running their vital services which support thousands of older people but during the pandemic has also been boosting wellbeing by visiting gardens, green spaces and more recently, care homes with their singing bus. On the 20th December though, Bath Bus Company are supporting the trip by lending one of its iconic double-deckers for the journey which will have a professional band singing Christmas hits and a few surprise guests to look out for. Janet Dabbs, Age UK B&NES CEO said: “This year has been dire for everyone and has certainly increased feelings of loneliness and anxiety, so we hope this goes someway to bringing some festive cheer to the city. It might surprise people but there are pockets of loneliness and isolation in Bath which is amongst the worst in the country, so we are including some of these on the trip. We of course wish we could bring the bus to every street but if it is passing you, please do look out for it, give us a wave and clap along from your window, doorstep, or garden – being mindful to adhere to the guidelines. It is for everyone to enjoy!” One special guest, who will be on the bus, who knows all too well about the impact of loneliness in the city, is The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath, Councillor, Manda Rigby. Her theme is to tackle loneliness in Bath and is looking forward to being part of this special evening in all her regalia. The Mayor said: “I think this is a brilliant idea, I look forward to seeing as many people safely as possible, and I promise not to sing!” The Age UK B&NES Christmas Singing Bus will be taking a slow route from the centre of Bath from 3pm on 20th Dec through parts of Bear Flat, Odd Down, Englishcombe Lane, Southdown, Whiteway, Twerton, Oldfield Park and Lower Bristol Road. There will be a few short stops on the way. Please look out and join in the fun at a safe distance from others. Wave from your windows, doorsteps, or gardens. To see the route and timings please visit www.ageukbanes.co.uk

How planning policy for Bath and North East Somerset is decided and the timescale for when residents will be able to have their say is the focus of a webinar on Monday (December 21). Bath & North East Somerset Council is inviting residents to find out about national planning policy and when people can get involved in updating local policy at this online event, ahead of an options consultation starting in January. In Spring 2020 the council announced that it would be launching a partial update of its local planning policies to align them with its declaration of the climate and ecological emergencies, and to address issues in the short-term including housing land supply and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The options consultation in January will spark discussion on the potential approaches for addressing some of the critical issues facing Bath and North East Somerset. Ahead of this, the webinar is a chance for residents to find out how planning policy is set by the Government and what aspects of policy could be shaped locally. The webinar at 6.30pm on December 21 will be chaired by Councillor Dine Romero, council Leader, and will outline the context and the programme for the Local Plan partial update. Councillor Dine Romero said: “Planning policy is partly dictated by Government and partly set locally by us. It can be a challenging process to make sense of, so through this webinar we hope to explain in simple terms how planning policy in B&NES is decided and when we will be asking for input from residents. “Planning issues can often have a big impact on the lives of residents and will help us address our climate and ecological emergency goals. We want to let you know in advance when you will be invited to help shape local policy for B&NES, so please join us at the webinar.” There will be a Q&A in the second half of the webinar. The discussion will be recorded and available afterwards on the council's YouTube channel Sign up in advance for the webinar here https://bathnes.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUj9bsWPTQSGxVKLk0_6jg Click here to view the local planning policy webpage.

Two schemes to improve walking and cycling routes using £500k government funding to encourage more active travel will be consulted on by Bath and North East Somerset Council. The council today (Friday December 11) set out its consultation plan for the proposed schemes which could see improvements to Upper Bristol Road and from the city centre to Bath University along North Road. And a Combe Down to Bath University scheme, while not part of the Active Travel Funding programme, will also be consulted on to gather views on how these schemes may link into the wider strategic cycling network in the future. Active Travel Funding was launched in May by the Department for Transport in response to Covid as the country came out of the first lockdown. Its first tranche of funding was for temporary highway schemes to aid social distancing and help enable more journeys to be taken by walking and cycling by reallocating road space. The council installed a number of measures including pavement widening at 15 locations in Bath, turning a number of roads in Bath city centre and Keynsham High Street into pedestrian and cycle zones, and automating pedestrian crossings at the busiest traffic signal junctions so that people didn’t need to push the button to activate the crossing. Through the West of England Combined Authority, the council then submitted a bid to the Department for Transport’s second tranche of funding for Active Travel schemes. The purpose behind the second tranche of funding is to provide an alternative to journeys that may previously have been taken by public transport, which still have reduced capacity due to social distancing, and also help enable more people to walk and cycle for short, local trips. Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “We have been awarded £500,000 government funding which is coming through the West of England Combined Authority to fund active travel routes. Today we are setting out our consultation plan for two proposed routes. The plan shows when more detailed information on each scheme will be available and how people can take part to have their say early in the New Year. “The schemes introduced under the first tranche of Department for Transport Funding and the routes we are proposing along Upper Bristol Road and North Road contribute to our wider plans to make walking and cycling more convenient, safer and help us to live healthier lives.” The council is currently consulting on a City Centre Security Scheme which proposes to permanently strengthen on-street security within Bath City Centre’s busiest streets and spaces and which would mean vehicle access restrictions within the city centre’s most crowded streets. You can take part here.

As 2020 draws to a close, Storm Consultancy looks to see how it can give back to another charity in 2021. In 2020 they reviewed Designability’s website and built the charities Christmas campaign. They're proud to have supported such an awesome and impactful cause. They are now welcoming applications/ nominations from charities and friends throughout the UK to let them know how they can help. Whether it’s giving them some time in kind, building a new website or getting out there and fundraising on their behalf, they want to know how they can help! Applications/ nominations are open until Tuesday 5th January 2021 and their new charity of the year will be announced shortly after this date. Please note the Storm office is closed from Friday 18th December and opens again on Monday 4th January. Should you have any issues filling in the form, please contact claudia@storm-consultancy.com with the same details the form asks for and she will contact you with confirmation of submission upon her return. Apply now

Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions clubs usual fundraising activities have been put on hold this year. They normally start travelling around the area with the annual Christmas float raising funds. Unfortunately this year they won’t be visiting local streets with Santa, instead this year they have been fundraising with a cryptic quiz. The first quiz was launched in October and due to it’s success, the club is running another paper quiz available throughout December and January with a Winter and Christmas theme. These can be purchased directly from a Lion if your lucky enough to know one or from their website at www.rmnlions.org.uk the final date for entries is 29th January 2021. Why not have a go? It’s good for the brain and you will be helping continue to support their local community. 1st prize is £50, 2nd £30, 3rd £10. They are optimistic that next year the Carol Float and Santa will be out on a street near you raising funds again at Christmas for local causes. If quizzes are not your thing and you want to help them with fundraising by giving a donation online you can go to www.rmnlions.org.uk and give to them through Give as you Live. Lions wish you all a very happy and healthy Christmas.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is providing free school meal vouchers to more than 4,000 eligible children this Christmas. The supermarket vouchers worth £40 for the two weeks of the holidays are available to the families of pupils entitled to benefit-related free school meals. The vouchers are part of a wide range of support for vulnerable families during the Christmas period. The vouchers are also available for parents of pupils under school age who are in nursery or pre-school settings, and where parents receive free child care for two-year-olds ( where benefits are such that you would have been entitled to free school meals). Parents or carers will get the electronic voucher for each qualifying child to spend on food in a range of supermarkets. The council is distributing the vouchers over the next two weeks and parents will be able to apply for vouchers from today. For parents who do not have access to the internet, applications can be made by calling 01225 477777 option 4. There are currently more than 4,000 children in Bath and North East Somerset who receive benefit-related free school meals and the scheme will cost £250k covering Christmas and February half-term. It is funded from the Government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme. Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, today said: “It is going to be a challenging Christmas for many families this year due to the devastating impact of coronavirus and parents shouldn’t have to choose between food on the table and some presents for their children. We have worked hard to make sure that this scheme is in place over the next two weeks. We have also committed to funding Free School Meals vouchers for February half term and we will be looking to provide support during the Easter holidays if funding is available.” 3SG and St John’s Foundation have already allocated £55,000 from a local fundraising appeal to community-led food projects serving communities of high-need across Bath and North East Somerset There is also community support for families over Christmas: Anyone finding it hard to stay afloat on their food budget can contact their nearest FOOD Club or Pantry for an affordable way to supplement a weekly shop. Details can be found on the BANES Foodfinder at www.banesfoodfinder.org/listing/food-clubs-pantries Details of food banks across BANES are also on that link and they can tell you how to access a voucher to meet more urgent need. Anyone in need of support around food, money, debt, mental health, housing or employment is encouraged to contact the Community Wellbeing Hub, by calling 0300 257 0050 or email at BATHNES.thehub@virgincare.co.uk, where you will be connected to a wide range of support under one roof. Alternatively, the Welfare Support team can offer short-term, financial crisis support and are contactable on 01225 477 277 or email at welfare_support@bathnes.gov.uk. A searchable and comprehensive online listing of a wide range of community support across BANES can be found on the One Big Database at www.bathnes1bd.org.uk Many community groups and organisations across B&NES are working hard to source and pack Christmas hampers for families they work with and know will welcome that additional support at this time of year.

People living in Bath and North East Somerset who are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine should wait to be contacted by the NHS, instead of calling their local hospital or GP practice directly. The advice comes as the NHS starts to deliver the first batch of vaccines for Covid-19, which were officially approved for use by the medicines regulator last week. First in line for the vaccine will be people aged 80 and over, who are already expected to attend hospital, as well as care home staff and the frontline NHS workers most at-risk. The rollout of the vaccine is a huge logistical challenge, and comes at a time when the NHS is already managing ongoing coronavirus-related challenges, as well as traditional winter pressures. Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council Councillor Dine Romero said: “Local people can show their support for the operation by waiting to be contacted with instructions of how to receive the vaccine, while continuing to observe the current social distancing guidance. The physical process of giving the vaccine will be a marathon and not a sprint, with vaccinations taking place over the next few months.” More information on the vaccine can be found online at www.nhs.uk.

Association of Mental Health Providers is pleased to announce the launch of the small grants fund as part of the Mental Health Sustainability Programme. This fund will be used to provide grants of up to £5,000 to support the sustainability of mental health voluntary, community and social enterprise provider organisations, with a turnover of £25-500k. VCSE mental health organisations have a vital role working in the community providing support to anyone who has a mental health need but continues to face many challenges in delivering services during COVID-19, intensified by the lockdowns and varying tier systems. It is vital that service providers working in the community are supported to enable them to continue delivering essential, life-saving services to people who need it most so it can be effective and sustainable during and after the pandemic. As such, we are looking at funding costs that can positively impact the sustainability of an organisation – specifically those that are supporting the mental health and wellbeing of communities disproportionately impacted by Covid-19; with a focus on organisations that are led by and/or are supporting Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic communities. We will also be considering applications from organisations supporting other disadvantaged groups such as the homeless community, those in contact with the criminal justice system, children and young people, women and girls, victims of domestic violence etc. To apply for the fund, please read more here and ensure you complete and return an application form to Daniah Hafez Daniah@amhp.org.uk before 11:59pm on Sunday 13 December 2020

You can schedule in a free advice call with one of Local Givings experienced fundraisers on how to effectively set up and run your very own appeal. Click here to book an advice call. Due to social distancing, donors are looking to give digitally. That's why they have included a few examples of different appeals and fundraisers (consider it inspiration!) to show you how successful your fundraising could be. Here they have appeals set up by a cricket club, to buy Christmas gifts, and even for an outdoor classroom. There are also loads of different great fundraising ideas you can engage your supporters with such as a virtual Christmas show, a shoebox fundraiser, or winter quiz night - the different options are endless. They have also collaborated with #XmasPartyHeroes who are encouraging corporations to donate funds from their unused Christmas Party budgets to much needed charities (as these events can no longer go ahead due to COVID-19) to ensure that this money doesn't go to waste. Localgiving is listed as a charity partner on the XmasPartyHeroes website meaning that your charity can easily be searched for and given donations by potential new donors, so please ensure that you have your Christmas campaigns set up! Christmas Giveaway In the spirit of Christmas, Localgiving will be having a giveaway which can be won by any charity on the Localgiving platform. The giveaway will be taking place on social media (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) between 7th-11th December and they have included some info below on how to enter (it is super simple!). They will be giving away a £100 donation to a randomly selected charity. To take part, all you need to do is: Look out for a post from them on the 7th December outlining that the giveaway is live and you can now enter with a chance of winning (there will be a post on each of our 3 social media platforms). Make sure that you are following them (@Localgiving) on whichever social media you’re using (whether that be Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – though you could follow them on all 3 for more entries). Write your own post about why you love being a member of Localgiving and make sure you tag them so they can see it! They will be announcing the winner of the giveaway on the 14th December.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Public Protection officers will be out in force across the city engaging, explaining, encouraging and enforcing the Covid-19 restrictions when the tier 2 rules come into force from tomorrow. The officers are working with partners Bath BID, Covid Safety Officers and the police and have already been visiting retail and licensed businesses to offer advice on the new requirements from December 2. From Wednesday officers will be carrying out compliance checks throughout Bath and North East Somerset seven days a week during the day and some evenings. Officers will use the full range of new powers where businesses are not complying with the tier 2 regulations in order to keep people safe and help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Councils can now issue improvement and restriction notices to premises that are not complying with COVID-19 secure regulations and where these notices are breached, Fixed Penalty notices will be served. Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “We want to reassure people that our public protection officers will be out in force to engage, explain, encourage and where necessary enforce the new tier 2 restrictions. “They are playing an essential role in both helping retailers, pubs and restaurants reopen safely as well as making sure we continue to drive numbers down and stop the spread of this terrible virus. “During the lockdown our officers visited more than 1,500 businesses across Bath and North East to ensure they were complying with the lockdown restrictions. Our officers found the vast majority were adhering to the rules, with just with just 27 found to be non-compliant and issued with advice. We want to see a similar if not better rate of success when tier 2 comes into force.” Under tier 2 the guidance is: businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol whilst serving substantial meals hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to: provide table service only, in premises which sell alcohol close between 11pm and 5am stop taking orders after 10pm hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through other businesses, such as theatres and cinemas will be required to close at 11pm In addition to the work of the Public Protection Team additional Covid Safety Officers are being drafted in over the Christmas period to provide advice and guidance to shoppers and businesses. The full guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know

Bath & North East Somerset Council is turning on cameras and installing signage to test its systems and help promote Bath’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) ahead of the zone’s launch in March. From next Tuesday (December 1), the council is installing 140 signs in and around the clean air zone boundary in central Bath, warning drivers that CAZ charges will start from 15 March for certain vehicles. The temporary covers will then be taken off overnight on 14 March to reveal permanent signs informing drivers that they are entering a Class C Charging Clean Air Zone. At the same time, up to 70 automatic number plate recognition cameras will be turned on so that the council can test its enforcement systems for non-compliant vehicles driving in the zone. While daily charges will not apply until the zone is launched, owners of non-compliant vehicles driving in the zone during December and January will be informed by letter in February that their vehicle will be subject to a charge from 15 March. These early notice letters will include information on how to check their vehicle, pay the charge and apply for support to upgrade to a compliant vehicle if eligible. In addition, from 7 December all homes and businesses in Bath and North East Somerset will receive a postcard with key information about the zone, how to check their vehicle and access the support available. The signs and early notice letters will ensure that drivers from outside the local area are also given plenty of notice. The council continues to urge people to check whether charges will apply to their vehicle using the government’s vehicle checker at www.gov.uk/cleanairzone. All you need is your vehicle’s registration number. From 15 March, Bath’s Clean Air Zone will operate in the centre of the city 7 days a week, 24 hours and day, all year round. Charges will not apply to private cars or motorbikes, but most other vehicles will have to pay a daily charge if they don’t meet certain emission standards. Pre euro VI/6 diesel and pre-euro IV/4 petrol buses, coaches and HGVs will be charged £100 per day to drive in the zone, while pre euro 6 diesel/pre euro 4 petrol taxis, private hire vehicles, LGVs, vans, pick-ups, campers and minibuses will be charged £9 a day. It will be up to the driver/owner of the vehicle to check their vehicle and pay within 7 days of driving in the zone at www.gov.uk/cleanairzone or they may receive a penalty charge notice. Councillor Sarah Warren, joint Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services, said: “This test run is an important step for Bath’s Clean Air Zone. The signage will ensure that everyone who regularly drives in Bath is aware of charges starting in the spring, and what it might mean for them. We hope it will prompt many more drivers to check their vehicle at www,gov.uk/cleanairzone sooner rather than later. “If you’ve checked your vehicle and charges apply, you could be eligible for financial support to upgrade or replace your vehicle with a cleaner one. Our aim is not to have polluting vehicles paying to enter the zone but to have as many businesses as possible benefit from this support before the zone starts. Local exemptions are also available for hard to replace vehicles and vulnerable groups. So please find out more at www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ.” Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, added: “As vehicles are gradually upgraded or replaced, it will be interesting to see the impact of the charging zone and our support package on air quality. Air quality and traffic levels across Bath & North East Somerset are constantly monitored to ensure that our actions help to improve the health and quality of life for the people who live, work and visit the city. We want to see cleaner air as soon as possible, and everyone can help by walking, cycling or sharing their journey wherever possible, even if CAZ charges don’t apply.” Air quality in Bath has been monitored since the 1990s, and there are now 120 monitoring locations across the city. Additional monitors have been installed recently to ensure that the council has good baseline data against which to measure the effectiveness of the zone. Data gathered from monitoring stations is reviewed at the end of each year, to allow annual average nitrogen dioxide concentrations to be calculated and the effectiveness of the Clean Air Zone to be assessed. For more information, including a map, charges, how the zone will work and the support available, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ To check a vehicle to see if charges apply in a clean air zone, including Bath’s CAZ, go to www.gov.uk/cleanairzone

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This months update from the team at Time Bank Plus in Twerton. We are able to re-start some outdoor activities such as Feelgood Walks, Gardening and Food Growing. Even at this time of year, spending time outdoors is such an important boost to our health and wellbeing. In addition, we are continuing to run a wide range of online groups and activities which can be safely joined from the comfort of your home. Feelgood Walks These walks are taking place every week on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with a start point in Twerton. They are gentle walks, suitable for all levels of fitness. We practise social distancing and there is currently a maximum of 6 people per walk. The dates this month are: Weds 2nd Dec 2.30 – 3.30 Tues 8th Dec 12.30 – 1.30 Weds 16th Dec 2.30 – 3.30 There are normally plenty of spaces, but due to the six person rule, we ask that if possible you let us know if you would like to come along. We’d also love to hear from anyone who’d like to volunteer to assist or lead a walk. Appropriate training will be provided. Sustainable Gardening & Food Growing Gardening is an excellent way to meet others in a safe, outdoor environment and to learn useful skills. Our team of gardeners will be out and about again on Tuesday mornings and we may be able to take on some additional gardens. Please let us know if you need assistance with your garden or would like to help out. Our allotment at Bath City Farm is also available for volunteers to help with food growing. Please get in touch if you’d like to be involved. Monday Morning Litter Picks You are invited to join our volunteer Litter Picker on Tuesday mornings to help keep the Twerton area clean and tidy. Please contact us for further details. Southside Food Co-op The Food Co-op provides boxes of fresh, locally grown veggies every other Wednesday, and delivers them to your home. This is available to anyone living in South or West Bath (eg Twerton, Whiteway, Odd Down, Oldfield Park, Newbridge & Lower Weston). The quality of produce is excellent at this time of year – it’s all freshly picked and grown mostly on the edge of Bath near Solsbury Hill. The price, for those people on a lowish income (below £18,000 pa for a single person, £25,000 for a couple or £30,000 for a family), is £4.50 for a small box, £5.50 for a medium box and £7 for a large box. For those who are better off, we charge £6 for a small box, £7 for a medium box and £9 for a large box. All these prices include the cost of delivery. We use any surplus raised to provide veggies to those in urgent need. Please email timebankplus@gmail.com if you’d like to order a veggie box and please provide a phone number for us to contact you. We will need at least 2 days’ notice. Payment needs to be in advance by bank transfer or direct debit. We’d also like to hear from any volunteer drivers who are willing to help with veg box delivery. Borrow It The Borrow It Library of Things is open on Tuesday afternoons from 2 – 6pm and Wednesday mornings from 10am – 12noon. If possible, please ring beforehand on 01225 442813 or email timebankplus@gmail.com to let us know what you’d like to borrow, so we can prepare it for you. We have a wide range of gardening equipment, DIY tools, camping gear, sewing machines, carpet cleaner, kitchen items and more. Click here for further info and our catalogue of things: http://timebankplus.co.uk/wp/?page_id=586 We are looking for someone who would like use of a roof box, which can be attached to roof bars on your car. It’s been donated to Borrow It but is a bit too large to store in our office. The person who takes it needs to be willing to house it and make it available for occasional Borrow It use, but would have free use of it the rest of the time. Zoom groups Please email us if you would like the joining link to any of the following groups. We’d also love to hear from anyone who’d like to set up or lead a group. Mondays (fortnightly) 12.30 – 1.30pm Knit & Natter Zoom Group. Get out your wool and knitting needles or crochet hook, make a cup of tea and sit down for a friendly online session with a small group of others. Expert advice is available if needed. The next session will be on 14th December. Tuesdays (fortnightly) We are in the process of planning online Sewing Workshops on Tuesday afternoons, creating simple craft items, such as Xmas tree decorations, which can be made by hand. We may be able to deliver the materials for each sewing project to your home. Please let us know if this would be of interest. Thursdays (weekly) 10.30 – 11.30am Creative Writing Zoom Group. This is a very friendly and supportive group of people who are writing and sharing short pieces of prose or poetry. There is a different topic each week and we have an online forum where members of the group can post up their writings. (See below for a piece of writing from one of our members). Fridays (weekly) 2 – 3pm Time Bank Social Café & Quiz. This is an opportunity to meet up socially on Zoom for a chat and to have a go at a short, light hearted quiz. We’d also welcome a volunteer to assist with running these sessions, in particular someone who could help organise simple board games. Cookery Workshops (occasional) Following a series of popular online Cookery workshops this November, we will be holding further online sessions in response to demand. Please get in touch if you have a recipe you would like to offer, demo or request. We’d particularly like to hear from anyone who has unusual Xmas recipes to share. Scrabble We’ve held a few sessions and are now looking at making this a regular online group (possibly fortnightly) if there is sufficient demand. Please let us know if you’d be interested in joining. We’d also love to hear from a volunteer interested in co-ordinating the group. IT Assistance Going online has never been so important! If you, or others you know, need help with setting up Whatsapp, Zoom or other apps, or with other IT troubleshooting, please let us know and one of our volunteers may be able to help you. We’d also love to hear from anyone with good IT skills who is interested in volunteering to assist others. Keeping in touch We are continuing to keep in touch with our members and offer regular or occasional phone calls to anyone who’d like a friendly, supportive chat. This can be particularly helpful to those people who don’t have a smartphone or internet. If you aren’t already in our Whatsapp group, do join us. It’s such a good way to keep in touch with each other, share information or ask for help. Just email timebankplus@gmail.com with your mobile number and we’ll add you to the group. There is also a separate Foraging WhatsApp group, where we share info about wild foods, recipes and cookery tips. Volunteering opportunities (summary) We are currently looking for: IT support; assistance with Zoom groups such as Online Games, Scrabble and Cookery Workshops; help with leading Walks; a driver for our Food Co-op; Gardening help; joining local Litter Picks. We are also looking for a Treasurer for our Management Committee. Please get in touch if you can help.

If you're struggling to find a venue in Bath and North East Somerset to run your groups under a block booking then the following options have been recommended by the Wellbeing College: Midsomer Norton Somer Centre: http://midsomernortoncommunityassoc.btck.co.uk/TheSomerCentre Midsomer Norton Town Hall: http://www.midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk/town-hall/ Keynsham One Stop Shop Library (upstairs) https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/keynsham-library-and-information-service Baptist Church https://www.keynshambaptistchurch.org/ Bath Mulberry Park: https://www.mphub.co.uk/hire-a-room/ Southdown Methodist Church: https://www.southdown-methodist-church-centre.co.uk/ Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/citadel United Reformed Church: https://www.urcdirectory.org.uk/central-680

The Roman Baths will reopen its doors on 3 December, having been closed for nearly a month in line with Government guidelines, which have put Bath and North East Somerset in tier 2. Tickets are now on sale at romanbaths.co.uk and all visitors must book online in advance. Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors back to the Roman Baths in the run-up to Christmas. As before we will have additional safety measures in place to protect our customers and staff. Visitor feedback shows that people find these necessary measures reassuring and they do not detract from their enjoyment of the historic site.” The safety measures include limiting visitor numbers to a maximum of 20% of the usual capacity, a one-way system, social distancing signage throughout the site, increased cleaning, and screens at the ticket desks. Visitors are required to wear a face mask in indoor areas, unless exempt. All controls are kept under continual review to ensure that we provide an excellent visitor experience whilst protecting our staff and visitors. Opening times will be 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm at the weekend, with variations over the Christmas period. (Last admission one hour before closing time.) Admission to the Roman Baths is free for residents of Bath & North East Somerset, with a Discovery Card or other proof of residence. For more details visit romanbaths.co.uk/residents-discovery-cardbnes-local-resident. Visitors are advised to follow the government guidance depending on which tier they are in. For people living in tier 3 this is the advice: Avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey. For more details visit www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know.

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SSE Dartington is running a free programme to support community businesses in the South West and the West of England. The nine month long programme will give community business leaders the head-space, support network and funding needed to adapt, digitise and diversify their income from trading. It will also provide them with a Trade Back grant of up to £10,000. They will become a stronger, more sustainable community business as a result of this programme and in turn will help build stronger, more resilient communities across the area. 'What is a Community business?' In short there are many types of community business. They can be shops, farms, pubs or call centres, nursery schools, red tents, markets or other ideas. What they all have in common is that they are accountable to their community and that the profits they generate deliver positive local impact. You can see a more detailed explanation on the Power to change website here . Application deadline is the 2nd December. There's a link to the programme here.