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(Click on links or scroll down this page) LATEST NEWS Help inform transport plans for Bath & surrounding area Saltford Golf Club during lockdown 3 SPC objects to Bristol Airport expansion Big Garden Birdwatch 29 - 31 Jan Building new homes in the right places Have your say on recycling plans for Pixash Lane Saltford Golf Club re-opens Weds 2nd Dec "Just the Job" - film showing 1950s Saltford New 'retrofit' installers directory for energy efficient homes Help shape the region's future development An Ethical and Fairtrade Christmas More news in our news archive >> Current VOLUNTEER assistance sought by SEG >> Help inform transport plans for Bath & surrounding areaJanuary 2021 A major transport consultation and invitations for expressions of interest on liveable neighbourhoods were launched by B&NES Council on 15 January as part of the council's next steps to tackle congestion, improve health and support more walking and cycling in Bath and North East Somerset. At the same time all ward councillors are being invited to put forward expressions of interest for liveable neighbourhoods, residents' parking zones and electric vehicle parking within their respective wards. People are being encouraged to have their say on the city's transport system over the next decade, by taking part in the six-week consultation on the Bath Transport Delivery Action Plan. This will affect Saltford residents who travel into or around Bath as well as affecting Saltford as a village through the development of transport links and options in the wider area surrounding Bath. The aim of Bath Transport Delivery Action Plan will identify deliverable transport solutions and be developed over time providing the opportunity to create better connected, healthier and more sustainable communities to live and work in. It will focus on three key areas:
For more information on the Transport Delivery Action Plan and to take part in the online consultation visit this external link >>. All responses must be received by Monday 1 March. Saltford Golf Club during lockdown 3January 2021
Saltford Golf Club have asked us to pass on this information about public access: Once again Saltford's golf course is closed, and there are many people already taking the opportunity to use the course as a place to exercise. As before the club is happy to allow local people to do this, we all need to escape during these difficult times. However at this time of year the course is wet, muddy and slippy in places so we would ask people to keep to pathways, or the perimeter of the course, keep well away from the putting greens and other areas that have been cordoned off by string and stake 'barriers', and avoid walking on steep slopes. Please keep dogs under control and clean up after them, and take your dog waste and other rubbish home with you. Please do not use the club's waste bins as we only have a skeleton staff working and they do not have time to go around disposing of your rubbish. The car park is no longer accessible, so please do not drive to the club as you will not be able to get in. This is very kind and helpful of the golf club to allow local residents access during the latest, third, lockdown. SEG hopes residents will continue to respect and protect the course as requested. SPC objects to Bristol Airport expansionJanuary 2021 Bristol Airport is appealing North Somerset Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the latest stage of its extension plans. At its monthly (zoom) meeting on 5th January, Saltford Parish Council (SPC) agreed the following response that has been submitted: "OBJECT: In response to North Somerset Council's Planning consultation Saltford Parish Council objects to Bristol Airport's Planning Appeal that would expand the number of aircraft flights over Saltford on route to or from Bristol Airport with resulting negative implications for noise and air pollution already experienced by residents. Further increases in carbon emissions associated with a growth in aircraft use of Bristol Airport and the expansion proposals would hinder progress in addressing the climate emergency declared by North Somerset Council (February 2019) and the West of England Combined Authority (July 2019) as well as national Government targets (June 2019) for a net zero carbon economy by 2050." The deadline for submissions (reference 20/P/2896/APPCON) to North Somerset Council was 6th January. Big Garden Birdwatch 29 - 31 JanJanuary 2021
Enjoy an hour with nature and discover the wildlife on your doorstep. The RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch will be from 29 to 31 January 2021. Taking part is easy and this is a great chance to sit back, relax and watch birds and other wildlife for an hour - and to encourage younger members of your family to develop an interest in the local wildlife. By taking part, you'll find out all about the fascinating wildlife that flutters, crawls and hops in your garden, balcony or local area. And with a simple hour of mindful watching, you could have an hour to yourself, too. Full details including resources and ideas including tips on making your garden an attractive place for birds to stop for a snack can be found on the RSPB website from this link:- RSPB Birdwatch. You can also find more information on social media using the hashtag #BigGardenBirdWatch. Building new homes in the right placesDecember 2020 Following proposals from HM Government earlier in December to tackle the housing shortage in urban areas by enabling commercial premises to be converted into new homes through a fast-track planning permission process, on 16 December the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) announced plans for an updated method to help councils to enable the delivery of 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s, while prioritising brownfield sites and urban areas. According to MHCLG, under the proposals "cities will be encouraged to plan for more family homes - which are the right size and type for families to live in - and to make the most of vacant buildings and underused land to protect green spaces." The plans "will encourage more homes to be built in England's 20 largest cities and urban centres, boosting local economies by supporting jobs in the building sector, and revitalising high streets with the footfall new residents bring." Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said "The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated and magnified patterns that already existed, creating a generational opportunity for the repurposing of offices and retail as housing and for urban renewal. We want this to be an opportunity for a new trajectory for our major cities - one which helps to forge a new country beyond Covid - which is more beautiful, healthier, more prosperous, more neighbourly and where more people have the security and dignity of a home of their own." This announcement provides rural areas like Saltford with a supporting case for resisting development in the Green Belt and other green spaces. That will be key when responding to the next round of proposals from B&NES in its Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) that are due out anytime now and will inform the Local Plan and West of England Spatial Development Strategy. SEG has consistently maintained the sustainable development approach that retaining green space for nature, food production and recreation has to be a top priority when taking a strategic approach to land management and responding to the constant demand for new housing. "Don't blight the land that feeds you!" Link to the MHCLG press release announcement on: gov.uk website. Have your say on recycling plans for Pixash LaneDecember 2020 B&NES Council is proposing what the Council describes as a "state-of-the-art" waste and recycling centre at Pixash Lane, Keynsham, which will expand public recycling provision, make it easier for people to recycle and help reduce general waste and operational costs. The proposals also aim to assist with one of the Council's core policies of tackling the climate and ecological emergency. As a neighbour of the site, we would like to hear the views of Saltford residents. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the public consultation is being held online from the consultation website where you can see the proposals and how to comment by the (short) deadline of 21st December. If anyone is unable to access the information online, they can telephone B&NES on 01225 423400 for assistance and support. All feedback from the consultation will be considered as part of the council's formal planning application which will be submitted next year (2021). There should be a further opportunity to comment then. There are separate plans being developed for handling the recycling of domestic waste for the city of Bath where the Midland Road site is being closed. Saltford Golf Club re-opens Weds 2nd DecDecember 2020
Saltford Golf Club have asked us to pass on this information about public access: Once again many local people have been exercising across the golf course during the latest four week lockdown. The club knows how much people enjoy being able to do this and the golf club is happy to provide this amenity during these difficult times. Once again people have been very respectful and despite the wet conditions there have been no problems. However the golfers are reclaiming their course back and golf restarts on Wednesday 2nd December. Please do not come on to the golf course after Tuesday 1st. "Just the Job" - film showing 1950s SaltfordNovember 2020 The 1956 short (6.5 mins) silent cine film "Just the Job" is about a Wolf Cub from the 1st Saltford Scout Group who whilst out during Bob-a-Job week tracks down some burglars and brings them to justice. Made in Saltford by Bristol Cine Society it features Saltford Cubs, Scouts and Brownies.
The film features several village locations that have since changed substantially. Click here to to view Just the Job (external website - Vimeo). Many thanks to SEG member Ruth King (Bristol) for bringing this fascinating film record of 1950s Saltford to our attention. New 'retrofit' installers directory for energy efficient homesNovember 2020 B&NES Council has announced that the council's Energy At Home Information Service is creating an Installers Network for tradespeople who fit energy efficiency home improvements to existing buildings, often referred to as 'retrofitting'. Residents who contact Energy At Home will be able to access the network to find qualified traders who can install a range of energy saving measures in their homes. The council is looking for sole traders and businesses in the local area to come forward to join the network if they are qualified to install: loft, floor and wall insulation, draughtproofing, double or triple glazing, solar panels and low carbon heating such as air source heat pumps. You can ring the Energy at Home information service on freephone 0800 038 5680 or visit www.energyathome.org.uk for information. For future reference SEG has a link to the B&NES "Energy At Home" information service on our Energy page. Help shape the region's future developmentNovember 2020 The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is developing a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), replacing the previously rejected draft Joint Spatial Plan, to "make sure our region remains a thriving, successful and innovative place for the future". The objective will be to make sure the development of homes, spaces for employment and transport links happens in the right places giving all residents access to opportunities and a better quality of life. It will help WECA meet our area's "aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 and ensure that nature and wildlife can also benefit". To help inform the drafting of the SDS, people living and working in the West of England can give their views on a WECA online survey that can be accessed through WECA's website (link) until Monday 14 December 2020. If you would like a paper copy or the information in an alternative format, you can telephone 0117 428 6210. The survey is quite simple and should take around 10-20 minutes to complete. The questions seem to imply that nature and the environment has the potential to be given greater priority in new plans than hitherto. We can only hope this will be the case. An Ethical and Fairtrade ChristmasNovember 2020 With Christmas around the corner the Saltford Fairtrade Group would like to get everyone thinking about where the produce they buy comes from and how ethical it is. That lovely chocolate, coffee, tea and many more items we enjoy come from developing countries where farmers and their workers can often experience poor working conditions and receive 'below market price' for their products meaning they don't get a fair living wage for their produce. Fairtrade requires participating companies to provide their farmers a guaranteed fair wage. This must never be below the market price with the added bonus of a premium which the farmers jointly decide what their greatest needs are. The cost to us may be a little higher but the cost to the farmers and producers means healthy happy workers and a new generation of educated children. Take a look at the Fairtrade website to see for yourself the benefits of being a Fairtrade producer (and consumer)! You can also find out above sourcing a wide range of Fairtrade goodies. We would also recommend you look at Traidcraft's website for their collection of handcrafted ethical gifts, homeware, toys, fashion, and hand-harvested foods - all sourced from fair trade co-operatives, traditional artisans, and small-scale growers around the world. Our Saltford Village Fairtrade Group have an ordering service with Traidcraft and you can order items through us (saving on delivery costs) by emailing your list to kath.mccarthy@hotmail.co.uk. If you would like more information, please ring Kath on 01225 344066. See the list below to help you find some different Fairtrade products that you may not have thought of. Look out for them when you are out shopping to help you whip up a veritable feast for Christmas. Keep a look out for the green/blue and black/white Fairtrade logo in all our local supermarkets and in independent traders in Keynsham like W F Buss and Conscience. Herbs; Spices; Liqueur; Vodka; Cocoa powder; Vanilla Bean Extract; Vanilla Pods; Packets of nuts - brazil, pecan, peanuts/peanuts and raisins, cashews; Olive oil; Fridge coffee based drinks; Flowers; and Cotton wool. Thank you for choosing Fairtrade. Saltford Fairtrade Group For more news stories from SEG visit our
Current areas of local volunteer assistance sought by SEG
Whilst our partner organisations such as Saltford Wombles (for tackling litter) and the Fairtrade Group always welcome volunteer assistance, SEG sometimes has specific roles or posts that need filling. Here are the current vacancies:- Website skills wanted!Updated January 2021 Our website is a popular resource for our members and others which means that in addition to keeping it relevant we want to make sure it continues to function as it should. If you live in or near Saltford, care about your local environment and have current knowledge of website design and might be interested in using your IT skills for a bit of IT volunteering to help us behind the scenes please get in touch with our Chairman by email to phil@philharding.net for a no-obligation chat on possible volunteer help. Executive Committee: Want to help steer SEG?Updated January 2021 SEG is seeking new Executive Committee members to help steer and develop SEG's future as we address the environmental concerns of our members at the local level. If you think you might like to get involved and join our Executive Committee (enthusiasm is more important than expertise!), please contact our Chairman, Phil Harding, for an informal non-committal chat. The Executive Committee only meets 4 times a year (except during Covid-19 restrictions) and its working method is more about sharing ideas and getting things done in a friendly and productive atmosphere than being bogged down with time-consuming administration.
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Saltford
Saltford Heritage Centre's next scheduled public opening will be announced here. Special Features: Saltford Wombles (tackling litter)
"Think global, act local" |
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Contact UsAll general, membership & urgent (e.g. Press) enquiries by email to our Chairman please. HOW TO JOIN SEG: If you live, work or have a particular interest in Saltford & wish to join our email membership list please send an email to our Chairman. Please include your name, address & contact telephone number in your email application. NOTE: We provide information about membership including personal data protection by SEG on our "About Us page". CONTACTS: Chairman & Website Editor*: Phil Harding
Secretary: Vacant Position Treasurer: Andrew Stainer
SEG Green Belt Campaign: - contact our Chairman (contact details above) Saltford Station Campaign: Chris Warren
Saltford Fairtrade Group:
Saltford Heritage Centre Saltford Wombles is independent of SEG but contact details can be found on our Less Waste page. Cookies and Privacy Policy Statement SEG respects the privacy of visitors to our website. We do not use cookies to collect personal or other data about visitors to our website; the only data we collect via our ISP's hosting service, and without the use of cookies, is the number of visits to each of our web pages but not who the individual visitors are. * EDITORIAL POLICY including SEO, web design and marketing for www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk Will Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), website design and other similar companies please
note that this website has all the SEO ranking (1st), social media links, & smartphone
compatibility that it requires to meet its specific objectives. The same applies to companies that produce bespoke marketing materials. We are not a commercial
enterprise so please do not send marketing emails or requests for placing links to other websites which will not receive a reply as it is our policy not to reply to marketing emails of this nature unless they are from a Saltford-based organisation seeking to assist
SEG. As a general rule our editorial content is sourced locally in Saltford and NE Somerset or from reputable non-commercial organisations based in the UK.
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© Saltford Environment Group (SEG) 2011 - date.
All material on this website is copyright Saltford Environment Group (SEG) or others where indicated. Please have the courtesy to name source if reproducing our photographs in your publication/website. Our cookies and privacy policy statement can be found on our About Us page.
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