SouthdownBath

Dine and Paul would like to wish all our readers of SouthdownBath blog a successful 2009.

Read our latest enews on this link 20090101enews.doc

The Golden Oldies has had a phenominal first year. It started at the beginning of the year with the first group being launched at Blagdon Park Community centre. It finished the year with a big Christmas Carol service at Bathwick St Mary's with groups attending from all over Bath and beyond.

The service made the Christmas edition front page of the Chronicle. Click on this link for more detail.

A number of residents from Blagdon Park had bussed over to take part.We all enjoyed the service and sang lots of favourite Carols.

It was a moving service. One of the readings was a letter from the front at the magical Christmas truce in the First World War. It was very moving. The guy I was standing next to told me his Grandfather was there. Both my grandfathers served in the WW1 trenches. It was a deep moment of reflection. Sadly we do not seem to learn from the past. 

However the Goldies success has really shown the pwer of song and bring communities together to share in activities and fun. The weekly singing sessions have improved the lives of many older residents in our area. Well done to all involved in this charity.

The Whitway Road is one of the busiest in Southdown. Last week I met with highway engineers and local resident Mr Harndedn for a breakfast discussion of the problem and the chance to observe from his front oom the issue. There are several different problems along the stretch and a range of diferent solutions will be needed. The basic problem is speed though. It is interesting to see that there are now proposals to limit car speeds to that allowed using new technology and GPS systems. I think that is a good idea.

The chronicle came along to photo us and the article they produced can be seen at this LINK.

Thursday 18 December

Started the day with a breakfast meeting in a resident's house joined by two traffic engineers to watch the traffic from 815 to 915 over tea and toast.   We discussed the remorseless growt of traffic, ideas that had been tried in recent years their success or otherwise and ideas for the future.

The basic need is to slow traffic down. From an earlier meeting we are already looking at providing a traffic light crossing at the Haycombe cemtry entrance. We discussed some other ideas such as signage and cameras. The main debate was around the Englishcombe Lane and Whiteway Road junction. After debate about several options the engineers are going to have a think about a roundabout solution at the junction.