Welcome
The thriving Widcombe Association was formed in 1981 and is the largest Residents' Association in Bath. It exists in order to protect and enhance Widcombe and Lyncombe; to act as a channel for local opinion on Widcombe matters; to encourage community spirit by holding social events and promoting and sponsoring clubs and activities, including the Garden Club , The Local History Society and the Widcombe Mummers.
We monitor planning applications and maintain a dialogue with the Council in members' interests. Major items of interest currently for the Association are the scheme to make Rossiter Rd in Widcombe two-way, and the plan by Sustrans to expand the UK cycle network through the Devonshire and Combe Down tunnels.
Widcombe is a great place to live. For property in the Widcombe area, click here.
Find out more using the links under the banner at top of page.
What's new....
20th June: Abbey Cemetery CD now on sale
6th June: Amended list of Committee Members
3rd June:'What's available' page re-formatted - Link to Widcombe Baptist Church
27th May: News on 2009 Summer Festival bookings
15th May: Reports on AGM and Two Tunnels Public Meeting (below)
13th May: Link to properties in Widcombe area (above)
9th May: April 2009 Newsletter available to download
19th April: Song Contest Judges announced
11th April: Summer Festival Details
24th Mar: New WA constitution.
23rd Feb: Request for new Committee Members
13th Feb: Song Contest announced. Full details here.
9th Feb: Abbey cemetery updated, Phil Bendall's final report on work at cemetery
19th Jan : Photos of Mummers' performance New Year's Day 2009 (Note topical references!)
What's happening....
The 2009 Summer Festival
The 2009 Summer Festival started early this year with a Private View at the Holloway Exhibition at the Bath at Work Museum. Other happenings include Widcombe's own Fashion Show (4th June) the ever-popular Art Trail weekend (6th & 7th June) Click for Map & Brochure; visits to gardens, the Abbey Cemetery, rarely-opened places of worship and the Combe Down Tunnel; social gatherings; flower arranging and boules. View the programme here, or download the full brochure along with ticket application form here.
The Widcombe Song Contest
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Could you write a Song for Widcombe? Something that Widcombe folk could hold dear to their hearts for ever? Click here for full details.
If you would like some very attractive flyers (above) let us know or print or download here
What happened....
Annual General Meeting 30th April 2009
At the AGM, the new constitution was formally adopted by the Association. Rupert Rhymes and Rosemary Emsley were unanimously re-elected as vice-chairman and secretary respectively and newly co-opted committee member Sue Dawson was unanimously confirmed. Sue will be taking over the Streetscape portfolio from Brenda Beeton, who was presented with a bouquet in recognition of her hard work on the committee, particularly in regard to Abbey Cemetery. Once the business of the meeting was over the guest speaker, Brenda's husband, David, shared with the meeting his views on the World heritage city in which we are fortunate enough to live.
David Beeton is Chairman of the Bath World Heritage Site Steering Group. To an attentive audience he explained that there are only two complete cities in the world designated as World Heritage cities; namely Venice and Bath. Unfortunately, however, the designation carries carries no legal status and no money. The delegation last November from UNESCO was concerned about the impact of Western Riverside and the Dyson Building on our city and will report in June this year. The Dyson building has of course now been dropped, but in any case our status is not in danger. Bath is a very challenging site for the following reasons:
- Lack of cash. A low spending Council doesn't spend on conservation. One solution might be to raise the parish council tax in Bath itself. We only pay £6.62 per resident compared for instance with Norton Radstock's £87.55.
- The state of the local economy. We have two universities with world class young professionals but there are few opportunities for them to stay in Bath and work. We export rather than attract talent.
- Traffic: the biggest threat to our heritage. 24,000 people a day commute into Bath from new housing outside the city centre.
- Low priority afforded by the Council to Heritage. Most Councillors live outside the city. Only one Cabinet member lives in Bath. Our World Heritage status is not mentioned in the ‘Vision of Bath.' There is even talk of moving the Council Headquarters to Keynsham.
- We have a great problem in developing modern building styles. Most people like the new Spa and Pulteney Weir but there is great controversy over the bus station, the Holburne Museum, the Rugby Club and particularly Western Riverside.
What can we do? There are huge challenges: not enough money, no easy answers and a polarised citizenry. We need to take action to raise pride in our city. David had four proposals for action:
• Setting up a charity to raise funds for conservation work with a contribution from the Council.
• Volunteer working parties
• Extend the National Trust's ownership of Bath Skyline. It already owns over 2 square miles When they acquire land, it is safe.
• Start an annual Heritage Festival – national and international.
WA Chairman Richard Wales thanked David for an excellent presentation and questions were taken from the floor.
(WA members please note: Formal minutes of the meeting will be made available here in due course).
The Two Tunnels - Public Meeting 22nd April 2009
This meeting was convened by the WA in conjunction with the Greenway Lane Area Residents' Forum (GLARF), and was chaired by WA ChairmanRichard Wales; the GLARF Chairman, Martin Broadbent, being unavoidably unavailable. The meeting was well-attended not only by residents, but by Adrian Roper, Regional Director of Sustrans, who gave the formal presentation and fielded most of the questions; Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive of Sustrans; local councillors Ian Gilchrist and Brook Whelan; B&NES director for Planning and Transport Development David Trigwell, and police representatives Inspector Stephen Mildren and PC Malcolm Webley.
Main points raised by concerned residents concerned security, and increase in traffic and parking in the Lyncombe Vale area. These concerns were addressed by Adrian Roper, who said that the tunnels would have mobile phone reception, and in answer to a request from the floor, that the Devonshire tunnel would also be fitted with a cctv system, as well as the main Combe Down tunnel. Lights in the tunnels will be on all day, and have infra-red sensors at night. The tunnels would be gated during the construction phase , and in response to a query from the floor, Adrian said the gates could be retained, and moreover, on being pressed by Councillor Whelan, promised that there would be a written undertaking that the tunnels would be closed if necessary.
Most attending felt that the meeting had been a constructive one, with many residents' fears addressed. The WA and GLARF will continue to monitor progress and hold regular meetings with Sustrans.
Autumn Meeting 2008
At the Autumn Meeting, held on 30th October, Sarah Lewis was presented with a bouquet for many years of service on the committee and Mayveen Blackwell, Dr Phil Bendall and Dr Bob Potter (who couldn't attend) were made life members of the Association in recognition of their services.
The Natural Theatre Company's Ralph Oswick sent a message to say that the 2008 Widcombe Rising was generally agreed to be the best ever and he thanked the Widcombe Association for our £1400 contribution. There will be another event in 2010 when it will be the bi-centenary of the opening of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
The guest speaker was Peter Andrews of Transition Bath: Transition Bath is one year old, and is part of the Transition Movement which because of dwindling supplies of cheap oil and the effects of climate change advocates urgent action to reduce carbon emissions. Measures include producing goods closer to home, taking holidays in the UK, buying local, seasonal and organic food, eating less meat, growing our own food, sharing gardens, planting community orchards, keeping chickens and eating with friends. We need to accept there is a problem, believe we can make a difference, lobby politicians, and get to know and cooperate with our community. Transition Bath holds a monthly forum, talks and events and has set up special interest groups for energy, awareness raising, and food. Further details can be found at www.transitionbath.org.uk