a former TV documentary maker and current trainee vicar
is on placement at rural churches in Peasedown St John
bringing her unique skills and passion to the community
A former wildlife TV producer who once filmed documentaries around the world is now training to become a vicar and will be spending the next four weeks on placement with a group of rural churches in the Peasedown St John area
Rose Patterson-Veira is training to become a priest at Trinity College in Bristol and part of her curricular activities are to spend time ‘on the ground’ in an Anglican parish
Rose said: “I’m looking forward to working with Rev Matthew Street and the team in the St J’s Group
I’ve heard so many good things about what the church is doing in the community to reach out to others and support those in need.”
She studied Zoology at Liverpool University and spent 10 years working for a TV production company
before deciding to enter the church ministry
Rose will be getting involved with various pastoral and community-based activities around the four churches in the St J’s Group over the next few weeks
from attending school assemblies to preaching in church
and from supporting the church’s children’s outreach work to volunteering at coffee mornings
said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Rose in all our churches
TV production and enthusiasm for the ‘great outdoors’ will be of huge value to us and the work we do across the community.”
For more details about the work of the St J’s Group, readers can visit their website, www.stjsgroup.church, which includes details of future events, the church’s work in the community, activities going on during the week and live recordings of Sunday sermons.
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TWO people were injured in a two-car crash near Peasedown St John last Wednesday (February 26)
Avon and Somerset Police say the crash – which involved a Citroen C4 and a Renault Captur – happened just before 5pm on the A367 at Dunkerton Hill at Peasedown St John
The Renault overturned as a result of the crash
and a man and a woman were both taken to hospital for treatment
“Their injuries are not considered to be life-threatening or life-changing,” a spokesperson for the force said
“If you witnessed this collision or have relevant dashcam footage
Contact police on 101 using reference 5225051048 or make a report on the Avon and Somerset Police website.
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Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker will host an advice surgery at The Hive Community Centre
Residents can attend without an appointment on Saturday
The Bath and North East Somerset Councillors for Peasedown St John
Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker (Independents)
will be holding their next Advice Surgery on Saturday
It’s an opportunity for residents to raise any issues or concerns they may have about the community
and Braysdown are welcome to drop in between 10am and 11am
The Hive Community Centre is located on Bath Road next to Peasedown St John Primary School (BA2 8DH)
For more details about the advice surgery contact Cllr Heathcote on 07557 683834 / [email protected] or Cllr Walker on 07968 401447/ [email protected]
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Peasedown St John hosts its annual Dog Show
on June 14 at the Party in the Park festival
Organisers have announced the popular dog show will return to Peasedown St John’s Party on the Park this summer
will be coordinating an afternoon of activities for dogs following the show’s success in recent years at the Peasedown festival on Saturday
Charity director Sally Campbell said: “We’re excited to be returning to Peasedown St John this year
We had a lot of entries and enthusiastic dog owners at previous shows
“Party in the Park is a fantastic event with almost 3,000 people attending
Many people like to bring their dogs for a day out
so what better way to have fun at the village’s biggest event than enter your dog into a competitive show where they can win prizes
You can meet other like-minded dog owners too.”
which is run by the Peasedown Community Trust
on Beacon Field - with festivities running until 7 pm
The event features seven-and-a-half hours of live music and entertainment with Radio Bath and Reaper Events
alongside the Community Civic Award presentation
The Somer Valley Farms beer tent and a huge range of stalls and attractions
Funding Animal Futures secures the future of abandoned and unwanted animals through independent fundraising events held throughout the year, and it makes donations to rescue organisations. For more details about the charity or the dog show email [email protected].
For more details follow the event on X: @peasedown_party, visit www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk, or go to the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/peasedownpartyinthepark
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A group in Peasedown St John is working to ensure that a memorial is built commemorating the soldiers from the village who died in the First and Second World War
The Peasedown St John War Memorial Trust hopes to raise a total of £50,000 to construct a memorial
which will is hoped will be built on the Miners Recreation Field
The group aims to pull in £30,000 from private donations from individuals and businesses and raise another £20,000 through Heritage Lottery funding
No public money or council taxes will be used to fund the memorial
The trust will be hosting various events throughout the year
A plaque at the village’s St John’s Church already honours those who died
but the trust wants to have a full memorial in tribute to them
READ MORE: Council spends £285K repairing potholes as compensation claims rise
READ MORE: 'Devastation' as funding decision delay could threaten major events
The memorial will eventually be located at an elevated position in the Miners Recreation Field overlooking the Mendip Hills
land which was donated to the group by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation
The trust felt that such a location would be fitting for the memorial
given that many of those from Peasedown who died came from mining families
chairperson of the Peasedown St John War Memorial Trust
has campaigned to have a memorial installed in the village for a number of years
She made a speech to Peasedown St John Parish Council in early September 2024 calling on the creation of the memorial
lost their lives fighting for this country
and you can’t be braver than that and you can’t give any more than that
That is the ultimate sacrifice you can make
“I feel that justice needs to be done and that these young men that came from this village need to be honoured in the appropriate way
This is what we think is the appropriate way; for there to be an eternal memory of them
“All of the people I have spoken to have said about what a wonderful cause this is
and they are so pleased that we are doing it
I believe it shows what a caring and compassionate community we are because we don’t just think of the future or the present
each and every one of us is totally and utterly convinced that we are doing the right thing
otherwise we wouldn’t want to be in the trust
and they’re giving their time time so wonderfully and so freely.”
To find out more about the Peasedown St John War Memorial Trust, you can visit the website here. Anyone who wishes to donate can do so through the JustGiving page
Anyone who wishes to share their ideas for fundraising or support the trust for their events can do so by emailing [email protected].
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THE newly appointed police and crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset recently visited Peasedown St John at the invitation of B&NES Councillors.
Clare Moody was invited to the village by the community’s councillors, Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker, on Saturday, November 2.
Cllr Gavin Heathcote said: “We’re grateful to Clare for visiting our community last week. It was an opportunity for us to discuss various issues that residents have raised with us, such as rural crime, neighbourhood policing and poor 101 response times.”
Clare has been in post since May this year, having previously served as a Member of the European Parliament, and during Gordon Brown’s tenure as Prime Minister she worked in the Number 10 Policy Unit. As police and crime commissioner her role is to oversee policing across the entire Avon and Somerset area.
Cllr Karen Walker added: “We’re always looking at proactive ways in which we can support the police in creating safer communities.
“Peasedown St John is the biggest village is the South of England, so we want to make sure that it gets its ‘fair share’ of both policing resources and the overall crime reduction and prevention budget.”
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Join us in Peasedown St John for a free dementia awareness conference featuring keynote speakers
Registrations have opened for a regional dementia awareness conference that will be held in Peasedown St John in May
Organised by the Peasedown Community Trust and sponsored by law firm Stone King
the conference will feature keynote speakers
a tasty lunch and an opportunity to meet charity leaders and experts working in the field of dementia research and awareness
communities across the country are making a stand
Keynote speakers include Alison Allen from Stone King
who will share practical legal tips for those in later life
A diverse range of organisations will also be present for delegates to meet
Peasedown) said: “We’re delighted to have Stone King’s support for this year’s conference
It means a lot to us and our work to create a dementia friendly community in Peasedown St John
There are currently 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia
and that figure is set to rise to 2 million by 2050.”
Peasedown St John’s second annual Dementia Awareness Regional Conference
Registration for delegates is now open. Anyone who’d like to attend should contact the Peasedown Community Trust to RSVP by Friday, May 9, by emailing [email protected].
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Students and staff at Peasedown Primary School are celebrating this week after being the best school at a district-wide maths competition.
Six different schools in the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership had their pupils in years four, five and six compete against one another in ‘Times Tables Rock Stars’.
The Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership is a trust that includes 32 schools in the local area, sharing a commitment to supporting our local school communities in their hubs.
The vision for the partnership is to ensure all children can attend a good or better school, regardless of their socio-economic background or postcode, through meaningful, thought out collaboration between schools.
Times Tables Rock Stars is an award-winning maths learning platform where children can practise their times tables in a game-like setting with motivating rewards.
Suitable for all learners over six years old, the question-based games automatically adapt to each child’s unique learning needs, helping them to recall their times tables in record speed.
Accessible on any device via an app or browser, children can learn and play anywhere at any time.
School headteacher Ruth Noall said: “It was incredibly close, but right at the last moment Peasedown Primary School crept into first place and we won.
“Collectively the children answered 135,997 questions correctly, an average of 743 each. As well as being the top school, year four were the second highest class across the competition and year six were the third highest class.
“A special mention must also go to Matvii who was the highest scoring child in the whole competition, Logan who was the second highest scoring child and Olivia who was the fourth highest scoring child.
Times Tables Rock Stars has proven to be a popular part of the maths curriculum at the school and has encouraged pupils to develop enthusiasm for the subject.
Children in key stage two have weekly maths homework, linked to learning they have completed in class each week. In addition, all children will have a log-in to both Doodlemaths and Times Table Rock Stars.
Both of these online learning tools support times tables and wider mathematical fluency and children are expected to log in to either of these at least three times a week.
For more information about Peasedown St John Primary School visit their website www.psjprimary.co.uk and follow them on Facebook at @psjprimary.
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Children in Year 6 at Peasedown St John Primary School have had the chance to enhance their skills and learn about ‘real life’ scenarios on a trip to Bristol.
With visits to the Life Skills Centre and the award-winning MShed museum, it was an opportunity to make full use of some of our area’s learning resources.
Headteacher Ruth Noall said: “At the Life Skills centre, children experienced a range of scenarios while being guided by volunteers on how to best respond and react. These scenarios ranged from being short-changed in a supermarket to calling the emergency services for help.
“A centre of excellence in safety education, the Life Skills Centre is an immersive, interactive village designed to teach life-saving safety skills through realistic scenarios and exciting experiences. Their aim is to give children and young people the confidence needed to make informed, independent decisions, paving the way for a safer and brighter future.”
The trip was part of the school’s all-year round programme of extra-curricular activities which allows children to go on a range of trips throughout the UK.
Following a trip to the Life Skills Centre, Year 6 pupils then spent the afternoon at the MShed in Wapping Road where they were able to deepen their understanding of the history of Bristol, learning about its places, its people and their stories.
“Thanks to the staff at the MShed for making us feel so welcome,” said Mrs Noall. “M Shed is home to displays of 3,000 artefacts and stories, showing Bristol's role in the slave trade and items on transport, people, and the arts.
“It’s definitely well worth a visit. At both venues the children listened, engaged and asked lots of questions, ensuring they had a fabulous trip.”
For more information about Peasedown St John Primary School visit its website www.psjprimary.co.uk and follow the school’s page on Facebook at @psjprimary
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Children at Peasedown St John Primary School were treated to a special visit from popular author and illustrator Jim Smith
best known for his Barry Loser and Future Ratboy books
said: “We were delighted to have Jim visit us recently
As well as sharing news about the books he’s created over the years
he held a masterclass with the children in how to create and design a graphic novel
The session finished with a book signing and – how amazing – a personalised illustration each from Jim!”
Pupils were guided step by step on how to draw their own unique comic book characters and were also given the opportunity to suggest creative ideas for Jim’s next book
The interactive question-and-answer session provided valuable insight into the daily life
before becoming an award-winning children’s author
went on to create the branding for the Puccino coffee shops
cards and gifts under the name Waldo Pancake
“To have an award-winning author visit us is such a positive experience,” added Ruth
“we’re always keen to encourage our children at Peasedown Primary School to think big and to be inspired
for helping to make a difference in supporting many of our pupils with their future ambitions.”
Pictured are Jim and pupils at Peasedown St John Primary School recently
They’re all holding a copy of their new ‘My Big Fat Smelly Pool Diary’ books – which is the author’s latest colourful creation
For more information about Peasedown St John Primary School, including upcoming events and news, visit their official website at www.psjprimary.co.uk. You can also stay updated on school activities and engage with the school community by following them on Facebook at @psjprimary.
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WORK on a new roundabout for Peasedown St John will start in 2025 after almost 20 years of lobbying.
Funding has now been secured for the project after proposals for a new junction at the southern edge of the village went on display last year.
Councillors, past and present, have been calling for funding to be made available to make radical safety changes to the Bath Road junction with the A367 by-pass, which is a notorious accident blackspot.
Not only will the new roundabout be developed, but a share of £16.5m which has been set aside for projects in the South West will be spent on other transport improvements in the area.
Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Gavin Heathcote, who represent Peasedown on Bath and North East Somerset Council, received news before last May’s local elections that funding had been approved, with work now due to start next year.
Councillor Gavin Heathcote (Independent, Peasedown) said: “We’re pleased to have secured funding from the new City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for a roundabout to be built here – it’s fantastic news.
“Residents contact us on a regular basis asking for changes to be made to this junction, it’s still one of the top issues that people talk to us about on the doorstep and at our advice surgeries.
“Cllr Karen Walker and I are thrilled to have helped secure this funding for Peasedown.”
Last year, the campaign was given fresh hope after changes were made to the way funding was allocated to road infrastructure projects.
Councillor Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown), said: “Instead of local councils, the government now allocates funding for road improvements to regional combined authorities, and here locally that’s the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
“After initially discussing the need for safety improvements at this junction with Mayor Dan Norris, Cllr Gavin Heathcote and I invited WECA staff to Peasedown last year in a new attempt to secure funding for a roundabout at the southern end of our village.”
A total of £16.5 million is being spent on projects across the West of England, with a proportion of that figure being spent in Peasedown St John.
As well as a new roundabout, the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement will pay for (in Peasedown):
The conversion of the bus stops at the top of Keel’s Hill to a Mobility Hub (where people can switch from one form of transport to another, such as bicycle to bus)
Upgrades to the bus stops outside the Red Post Inn
Improvements for cyclists on quiet routes south of Peasedown St John to connect with NCN24, including via Braysdown Lane.
The City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement hopes to ‘level up’ regions across the UK, in and around cities like Bath and Bristol, so they have the same provision of public transport services as Greater London does.
Full planning for the roundabout begins this year with works expected to start on the new build in mid-2025. The whole project must be complete by 2027 at the latest.
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A school in Peasedown St John has received a £2,000 donation to help create a new conservation area
a Bath-based housing association and housebuilder
has donated the cash to Peasedown St John primary School so a new conservation area for forest school activities
focused on environmental education and sustainability
The donation was presented to the school by Curo’s sales team and councillor Karen Walker
chair of Bath and North East Somerset council and independent member for Peasedown
along with the school’s dedicated 'Eco' and 'Nature' student teams
who proudly showed off their flourishing garden
including impressive rhubarb and tomato plants
and share these with the community to help those in need."
said: "Curo is completely committed to supporting the communities that we develop in
We're going to be neighbours after all
“It’s great to see the direct impact our contribution makes to the children's education and well-being
We look forward to doing more with the school as our development nearby progresses."
Councillor Walker said: "Peasedown St John Primary School is a major part of our community
“I am happy to have been able to secure £2,000 funding from Curo for the children to enjoy a very much-needed conservation area on the grounds of their school
headteacher at Peasedown St John primary School
said: "We are very grateful for this generous donation from Curo which has enabled us to dedicate a large area to conservation and gardening
This supports every aspect of our curriculum as well as enabling children to learn gardening skills
“Thanks to this investment our gardening club has already achieved Level 1 for the RHS School Gardening Awards and are now working towards Level 2."
This donation comes as Curo prepares to build 51 new homes at Hawthorn Rise in Peasedown St John
with 30 per cent designated as affordable housing
This includes 11 homes available at social rent and four homes accessible through the shared ownership scheme. Prospective buyers can register their interest on the Curo website: https://www.curo-sales.co.uk/ to receive updates about this new development and stay informed about the project's progress and availability.
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THIS year marks 150 years since miners and farm-workers in the hamlet of Peasedown decided to build a Methodist Chapel (1874).
They quarried the rock and did the building themselves at a cost of £324. The chapel thrived, and in 1889 the building was too small for the congregation so the present chapel was added to what is now called the schoolroom, this cost another £400.
Since then, extensions and renovations have made the church building what it is now.
The church is a busy, friendly caring, worshipping community of Christians: the week begins with a service of praise and worship each Sunday at 10.30am followed by a time of informal fellowship with tea and coffee.
There are several bible and study groups during the week which meet in people’s houses or the church.
On Wednesday mornings the Seeds toddler group fills the church as scores of mums and dads bring their little ones for fun and friendship.
At 11am every Thursday there is a Meet the Neighbours coffee morning where all are welcome to come and enjoy coffee, biscuits and a chat. That evening at 6pm the Lighthouse children’s group is held for Years 3 – 6 followed by a group for the older children at 7pm.
Messy Church events are also held for children of all ages once or twice a term.
Friday is also busy. There is a Lunch Club on the first Friday of each month which is well-attended; and every week we host the Food Bank from midday to 2pm.
On the third Saturday of every month, the Repair Café is open.
A church spokesperson said: “The church does all these things to show their Love of God to the community, to be an example of caring for all and to try to be the people that Jesus wanted us to be, people who “go into all the world and preach the gospel.
“Our Methodist predecessors in Peasedown St John did so, and we hope to continue spreading the Good News of God’s love for another 150 years.”
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COUNCILLOR Gavin Heathcote has described the decision to cut the ‘mini-police’ programme in Peasedown St John as ‘plain mean’.
Gavin Heathcote (Independent) has long been a supporter of the initiative, which has seen more than 100 youngsters develop new life skills and build their self-esteem since it was launched five years ago.
The ‘mini police’ is an innovative police engagement programme delivered in schools with the support of Avon and and Somerset Police and its Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The scheme provides a fun and interactive way to introduce children to a positive experience of policing and to get them involved in the local community.
Avon and Somerset Police has recently announced that all ‘mini-police’ programmes will be cut from 12 months to 9 weeks.
Gavin said: “This is terrible news. I know so many children in Peasedown St John who have benefited from taking part. Not only is the course being cut, in terms of delivery time, by an incredible 80 per cent, but the children are having their uniforms and extra-curricular trips taken away, too.”
The initiative has been running successfully at Peasedown St John Primary School for the past five years with children in Year 5. Children must apply and be interviewed for the role and then attend regular training sessions led by the PCSOs.
Topics covered include traffic and speed awareness with a visit from the local police speed enforcement team, and first aid training. Up until recently, they were each given a uniform.
Cllr Gavin Heathcote says these changes have been implemented since the new Labour Police and Crime Commissioner took office.
He added: “These cuts to the ‘mini-police’ are just plain mean. I completely understand that the new Labour government and the Labour Police Commissioner need to make cuts to services, but to impose these on services for children is a step too far.”
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody was elected in May. The PCC is responsible for setting the priorities and budget for the police, guiding how resources are used, and making sure the needs and concerns of the community are addressed.
Cllr Heathcote has written to the new commissioner to ask for a meeting and to request that the cuts to the mini-police are reversed.
The Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal has approached Avon and Somerset Police for a comment.
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Peasedown St John Primary School’s mini-police team has officially commenced its activities for 2025 by taking part in their first call of duty
The Mini Police Programme is a community engagement initiative run by police forces across the UK, designed to give primary school children an insight into policing while promoting positive citizenship.
At Peasedown St John Primary School, the initiative is delivered in partnership with PCSOs from Avon & Somerset Police, offering Year-5 pupils the opportunity to learn new skills and take part in ‘real life’ scenarios.
School headteacher Ruth Noall said: “The mini-police initiative is a police engagement programme that we’ve been running successfully alongside the police for the past five years with children in Year 5. Children must apply and be interviewed for the role.
“They are each given a uniform and attend regular training sessions led by the PCSOs. Topics covered often include traffic and speed awareness with a visit from the local police speed enforcement team and first aid training.”
Before the half-term holidays each cadet was kitted out with their new uniform, including being given a unique MP number and ID card.
“During last week’s session we were visited by a barn owl and the children dissected the pellets to find out what owls eat,” added Ruth. “The purpose of the activity was to find out how we need to be responsible for our environment as our actions, including littering, can have wider implications on wildlife.”
The Mini Police Programme helps children build confidence, self-esteem, and life skills. It also helps children understand policing and community safety and builds trust between children and the police.
For more information about Peasedown St John Primary School visit their website www.psjprimary.co.uk and follow them on Facebook at @psjprimary
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People living in Peasedown St John are being given the chance to take part in the village’s biggest ever residents’ survey which is designed to help shape the future of the village.
Launched this week by the village’s local Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) councillors, Karen Walker and Gavin Heathcote (Independents, Peasedown St John), local people are being asked for their views on a wide range of issues - from local public transport to environmental issues.
More than 2,700 homes will be hand-delivered a copy of the survey by a team of volunteers - with the first households receiving theirs this week. Residents will also be asked their views on what they think should be prioritised in the community.
Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Gavin Heathcote said in a joint statement: “Local people’s views matter. As local councillors we’re always keen to engage with residents and receive their feedback on local services, how their council tax is being spent and what improvements they’d like to see in their village.
“The responses to the survey will help shape what priorities we’re able to take forward, both here in Peasedown and at the Guildhall in Bath.”
Questions in the village-wide consultation cover topics including:
Respondents are also being asked to identify what their top three priorities are for Peasedown St John.
Cllr Gavin Heathcote and Cllr Karen Walker added: “We’re asking everyone who completes the survey to tell us the three issues that matter the most to them.
“It’s important that as many people as possible let us know what they think. Each survey return will help us to focus on what priorities matter most to residents over the next two years.”
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Organisers in Peasedown St John have met to start planning next year’s Party in the Park festival for what will be the village event’s sixteenth anniversary
The festival will see crowds of over 2,500 people attending
This past summer’s event saw party goers enjoying live music
and a vast array of stalls and attractions
over £2,500 was donated from organisations including St John’s Church
The festival’s bookings manager and co-founder is Cllr Karen Walker
who will be working hard over the next several months to book even more attractions to make the festival’s sixteenth anniversary the best one yet
She said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with positive feedback following this year’s festival
All those that came really enjoyed themselves and said they looked forward to the festival every year
“I’d encourage anyone who wants to run a stall to get in touch
Bookings officially open in January and we’re already receiving a lot of interest
“One of our key aims every year is to build community spirit and bring people together
Party in the Park is now the most important event in the local calendar.”
Peasedown Party in the Park is run by the Peasedown Community Trust - a local charity that runs several projects in the village such as the Village Library
the Community Orchard and ‘Dementia Friendly Peasedown’
an initiative that has given dementia awareness training to over 300 residents
"We are pleased to announce that Party in the Park 2025 will be held on Beacon Field on Saturday June 14 from 11.30am - 7pm
More details will follow in the coming months
but plans already include live music and entertainment
the Peasedown St John Community Civic Award
the announcement of Party in the Park Grant Giveaway
Anyone who would like to hold a stall or an attraction can contact Cllr Karen Walker by:
• Emailing: [email protected]
• Writing to Party in the Park Bookings, 18 Wellow Mead, Peasedown St John, Bath, BA2 8SB.
All stall holders will need to pay an up-front fee to secure their pitch. Booking forms will be issued in January.
Councillors for Peasedown St John have released details on how they will spend the requested £350,000 from Bath and North East Somerset Council as its budget approaches.
Councillors Karen Walker and Gavin Heathcote (Independent) have been in discussions with council leaders since November in a bid to ensure Peasedown is not left out of the council’s spending plans.
Cllr Gavin Heathcote said: “The role of any local councillor is to always put their community first. On a regular basis, Cllr Karen Walker and I meet with residents, visit them in their homes, and discuss issues that matter to them.
“After several months of advice surgeries and street surveys, we’ve put together a wish-list of items that residents have told us they’d like to see included in the 2025/26 B&NES Council Budget.”
The councillors have provided a list of areas the money will be spent on if the bid is successful
Cllr Karen Walker added: “All of our proposals are based on requests that residents have put to us over the last year. The additional funding for pavement improvements and road resurfacing have been two of the most frequent requests.
“The council needs to be doing more to allocate funding for these issues in rural areas, not just in the city of Bath. Peasedown residents pay their Council Tax too and want to see funds distributed more fairly.”
The 2025/26 budget will be agreed by the full council on Tuesday, February 25.
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Parents and families living in Peasedown St John can receive extra support and advice with their child’s primary education this year
thanks to a new staff appointment at the village’s local primary school
Catherine Steadman took up the post as Peasedown Primary School’s new parent and family support adviser
She said: “It’s great to be working in this new role
Peasedown primary is a fantastic school and has so much to shout about
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in as part of this new support role
My job over the coming months will be to support our local families with any worries or struggles that may be affecting a family or their child at school.”
Catherine will particularly help families and children with attendance at school
anxiety issues and giving advice with sleep routines
School headteacher Ruth Noall said: “I’m delighted to have Catherine with us at Peasedown Primary School
and she has got stuck in already during her first week
“She has already met parents at the recent reception class pop-up and play
joined parents at a Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in School meeting and a parent workshop on understanding children's anxiety.”
She has also been giving out free coats to numerous pupils which have been donated by a charity for distribution within our community
Catherine’s appointment means the school will be able to help
guide and advise even more local families throughout the year ahead
ensuring that every child is fully prepared for lessons and their time at school each day
For more information about Peasedown St John Primary School, visit their website at www.psjprimary.co.uk or follow them on Facebook @psjprimary for updates and announcements.
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Community leaders and volunteers in Peasedown St John are celebrating after receiving the welcome news that the village’s community library has secured a much-needed funding boost
which is one of B&NES Council’s eleven community libraries
is run by local charity the Peasedown Community Trust
local councillors applied to the Medlock Trust
a charity well known for its philanthropic work
which has awarded the library a £2,000 grant
This grant will enable the library to continue running services for the community
said: “We’re very grateful to the Medlock Trust for their financial support
This £2,000 grant means we can continue to run a local
people-centred service where residents can access a wide range of books – and all for free
“More than 200 people are using our services each month
is therapeutic and keeps our brains active
the library is also a hub for volunteering opportunities
We have a dedicated team of 15 volunteers who keep the service running
This funding means they can continue doing what they love.”
Bath and North East Somerset Council decided to cease all funding for it’s eleven community libraries
informing all managers that they needed to ‘find the money themselves or face closure’
With the council no longer funding its own libraries
Peasedown library’s future was in doubt – but thanks to this rescue grant from the Medlock Trust its doors can now firmly remain open
Peasedown) said: “We were saddened to learn last year that the Liberal Democrat leadership at the council has decided to pull the plug on funding all community libraries
All of them have provided a much-needed lifeline for residents
“With no more financial support coming from the council
Peasedown’s community library could have been facing closure at the end of this year if alternative funding wasn’t found
“The grant from the Medlock Trust means the future is looking bright for our little village library
We’re grateful to the trust for responding to our appeal for help.”
Peasedown Community Library is located next door to Peasedown St John Primary School on Bath Road
For more information about Peasedown Community Library, including details on how to sign up as a volunteer, email Cllr Karen Walker at [email protected]
The library welcomes new volunteers to join its dedicated team and help keep this vital community resource running. People can also stay up to date with library news, events, and services by visiting their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PSJCommunityLibrary.
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Nominations have opened in Peasedown St John for a community award honouring and recognising the village’s local unsung heroes
the Peasedown St John Community Civic Award was launched in 2021
Trust chairman cllr Gavin Heathcote (Independent
Peasedown) said: “Peasedown St John is a fantastic place to live
“Its community spirit is second-to-none thanks to the hard work and dedication of many people who go ‘above and beyond’ to serve others
Peasedown Community Trust launched the Community Civic Award – an award that highlights and applauds the outstanding voluntary service of an individual (or group of individuals) in our village.”
the candidate(s) must meet all three of the below criteria:
Nominations for the 2025 Peasedown St John Community Civic Award are now open and the winner will be announced at the village’s Party in the Park Festival on Saturday June 14
festival co-founder and chair of Bath & North East Somerset council
added: “Any member of the community can nominate anyone
“We’re particularly keen to receive nominations that highlight the work of people who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Nomination forms can be obtained from the Peasedown Community Trust by emailing [email protected].
For more details about Peasedown Community Trust visit www.facebook.com/PeasedownCommunityTrust.
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A NEW initiative has been launched at Peasedown St John Primary School to help promote a ‘love of reading’ among pupils
all children in Year 3 will receive one book every term as a gift
aimed at encouraging children to read for pleasure
School headteacher Ruth Noall said: “The books have been carefully chosen to match each child's reading ability and their interests
They were wrapped and delivered by hand over the half term break
“The books arrived with a note from their teachers explaining the scheme and asking children to enjoy their books with their class
“Alongside the give-away there will be events and activities planned over the year for parents to join their children to read together
As a school we are highly committed to giving your child as many experiences as we possibly can and this book give-away is one of them.”
The initiative follows the success of the summer holiday reading challenge
where the school kept the library open for children to read and swap books during the break
The challenge lasted all summer and included asking children to read a range of genres
to read in different places and to visit the school and local libraries
Children could achieve various levels of success
and many children reached the platinum level
receiving a badge and certificate in recognition for their effort
For more information about Peasedown St John Primary School visit website www.psjprimary.co.uk and follow them on Facebook at @psjprimary
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Pupils from Peasedown St John Primary School will regularly visit the award-winning Orchid Project at Writhlington School.
The new visits comes as part of a new drive to enhance children’s understanding of science.
Throughout 2025, pupils in years three and five will volunteer at the project as part of the curriculum.
Ruth Noall, headteacher at Peasedown St John Primary School, said: “As part of our science learning this year, we have arranged for all year three and year five children to visit the Orchid Project at Writhlington school.
“The trips will enhance the learning and experiences in science that the children have already had and provide an exciting foundation for their learning later in the year.”
Writhlington School’s Orchid Project has been running for 30 years and is recognised nationally for its innovative approach to biodiversity.
An enterprise run by students from years 7 to 13, it involves the laboratory propagation of orchids from seed, the cultivation of those orchids in a school greenhouse and the sale of seedlings and plants to the public across the UK.
The income generated has been used to fund student expeditions to Rwanda, Laos, Sikkim and other biodiverse tropical habitats to initiate and support the development of sustainable community enterprises.
The project also offers valuable experiences and opportunities for both the Writhlington students involved and their overseas partners.
Ruth added: “Our children will work in the greenhouses and science labs, studying the plants in detail and learning how they are cared for.
“Activities will link to year three learning about plants and year five learning about adaptations and plant reproduction, as well as giving an exciting flavour of science lessons at secondary school.
“We’re delighted to be working with staff and students at Writhlington school in this exciting way.”
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CHURCHES around Peasedown St John, Wellow, and Shoscombe will be holding special services on Remembrance Sunday, honouring the sacrifices made by those who have served in the armed forces.
Peasedown St John’s annual Remembrance Sunday service will be held in St John’s Parish Church on November 10. The service will start at 10.30am and will feature presentations from the uniformed groups and civic leaders.
Last year, more than 200 people packed the church to remember those who have given their lives in conflict. Revd Matthew Street, chaplain to the uniformed groups in the local area, will be leading this year’s service. The previous event highlighted the important work of the Red Cross and marked the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid in 1943.
This year’s theme will focus on D-Day, also known as the Normandy Landings, which took place 80 years ago. It was the largest seaborn invasion in history beginning with the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front a year later in 1945.
Revd Matthew Street said: “Each year it is important to collectively remember those that have laid down their lives for the freedom and civil liberties we all enjoy today.
“At this year’s village remembrance service, we will especially mark and remember D-Day, and how significant that historic event was to the eventual end of the war and victory in Europe a year later.
“We shall also take time to read aloud the names of the fallen from Peasedown St John, one by one.”
Wreaths will be laid during the service at the war memorial in the church by members of the uniformed groups, B&NES Cllr Gavin Heathcote, plus representatives from the Peasedown Community Trust, the Parish Council, the WI and the Head Boy and Head Girl from Peasedown St John Primary School.
The chairwoman of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Cllr Karen Walker, will deliver the reading during the service. Prayers will be led by Revd Matthew Street, with Cllr Gavin Heathcote from B&NES Council and a representative from the Parish Council also participating.
Meanwhile in St Julian’s Church, Wellow, a trumpeter will lead the Last Post during the Remembrance Service which starts at 10.45am.
In St Julian’s Church, Shoscombe, the Remembrance Service will start at 11.15am, and a two-minute silence will be observed.
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CHURCHES in the area getting ready for festive Christingle services over the next couple of weeks as part of their Christmas season of events.
The Christingle, representing the Earth and Jesus as the light of the world, was first introduced into the Church of England by the Children’s Society more than 50 years ago. It is now used in school plays and children’s nativities all over the world.
Leader at both St John’s (Peasedown) and St Julian’s (Wellow) Revd Matthew Street said: “The orange represents the world, the red ribbon symbolising the blood of Christ, the four cocktail sticks with sweets and fruit illustrate God's gifts and the four seasons, and the candle represents Jesus as the light of the world.
“The Christingle, quite simply, represents the core message of Christianity – that Jesus Christ, all year round, is the light and saviour of the world. This historic truth is not just something for children or the young at heart – but it is for everyone that chooses to believe it.”
The services will be held at St John’s Church in Peasedown St John on Sunday, December 8 at 4.30pm, and St Julian’s Church in Wellow on Sunday, December 15 at 4.30pm.
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proposals will soon go on display for a new roundabout at the southern end of Peasedown St John
since 2005 have been calling for funding to be made available to make radical safety changes to the accident-hotspot Bath Road junction with the A367 by-pass
the campaign was given fresh hope after changes were made to the way funding was allocated to road infrastructure projects
B&NES Councillor Karen Walker (Independent
the government now allocates funding for road improvements to regional combined authorities
and here locally that’s the West of England Combined Authority
After initially discussing the need for safety improvements at this junction with Mayor Dan Norris
Cllr Gavin Heathcote and I invited WECA staff to Peasedown last year in a new attempt to secure funding for a roundabout at the southern end of our village.”
Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Gavin Heathcote received news before May’s local elections that funding had been approved
but pre-election rules meant the announcement couldn’t be made until now
B&NES Councillor Gavin Heathcote (Independent, Peasedown) added: “We’re pleased to have secured funding from the new City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for a roundabout to be built here – it’s fantastic news
"Residents contact us on a regular basis asking for changes to be made to this junction
it’s still one of the top issues that people talk to us about on the doorstep and at our Advice Surgeries
"Cllr Karen Walker and I are thrilled to have helped secure this funding for Peasedown!”
A total of £16.5 million is being spent on projects across the West of England
with a proportion being spent in Peasedown St John
the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement will pay for (in Peasedown):
The City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement hopes to ‘level up’ regions across the UK
in and around cities like Bath and Bristol
so they have the same provision of public transport services as Greater London does
Proposals for the Peasedown roundabout, plus the Mobility Hub, bus stop improvements and cycle enhancements will be available for public viewing from Monday 26th June at www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk (this link will be live from 26th onwards).
Following the publishing of the proposals, full planning begins in 2024 with works expected to start on the new roundabout in mid-2025. The whole project must be complete by 2027 at the latest.
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A brand-new preschool is to open in Peasedown St John in April thanks to a new partnership
who already have a positive track record of running excellent quality nursery and preschool facilities
have entered into a long-term agreement with St John’s Church to run a brand-new preschool in the Church Hall
The nursery and preschool specialists already run a nursery in Eckweek Road
Owner and Director of the Learning Tree Day Nursery
said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be opening a third site in our network of nursery and pre-school hubs – and we couldn’t ask for a better place than in Peasedown St John
“We’re hugely grateful to Revd Matthew Street and his team for providing the space for this new preschool
There is a growing demand for nursery and pre-school provision in our area
and the Learning Tree Day Nursery is pleased to be in a position to provide this.”
The new pre-school will be hosting an Open Day on Saturday
from 10am to 12pm at its new home – St John’s Church Hall
Changes announced by the government last year mean that from April working families will be able to receive more support with their childcare costs
Eligible families will be entitled to 570 hours of free childcare each year
and these entitlements will then be expanded in phases
most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 1,140 hours of funded childcare support each year
added: “We’re delighted to have been able to provide a site for the Learning Tree Day Nursery’s new preschool
been a home for a previous early-years provider
so we have a long history here at St John’s of providing educational facilities for our children and young people
With St John’s already running our ‘Little Ones’ group during the week and ‘Bubble Church’ once a month
the church has become a site of preschool excellence locally and in the wider area
We’re looking forward to working with Jess and her team to ensure families and children receive the very best opportunities available to them.”
For more details about Peasedown’s new preschool pop along to the Open Day on Saturday 13th April or visit www.thelearningtreedaynursery.com
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Preparations have begun in Peasedown St John to commemorate and remember the village’s war heroes for this year’s Remembrance Day
led by local Councillors Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker (pictured)
spent last Sunday morning putting up large poppies through the centre of the village
Cllr Gavin Heathcote, who chairs the Trust, said: “Poppies for Peasedown is a community project funded by the Peasedown Community Trust.
“We have worked in partnership with the Royal British Legion to display these poppies throughout the community in honour of our village’s war heroes.
“Those that have gone before us sacrificed so much, so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thank you!”
This is the third year running the Trust has put up poppies in the village.
Peasedown Community Trust will also be taking part in this year’s Village Civic Service on Sunday 12th November by laying a wreath at the War Memorial located in St John’s Church.
Cllr Karen Walker, a member of the Trust and also the Vice-Chairwoman of B&NES Council, added: “We organise for these poppies to be put up through the centre of Peasedown St John each year to remember the sacrifice our village’s war heroes have made.
“We will always be in-debt and grateful to them for the freedoms we have today.
“The right to free speech, the right to vote and the right to a fair trial are privileges not enjoyed in all parts of the world. Without our war heroes we wouldn’t have these freedoms today, so thank you!”
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Peasedown St John Community Library is continuing to ‘punch above its weight’ according to Councillor Karen Walker.
Peasedown St John’s Community Library, which opened in October 2019, is part of B&NES Council’s network of community services.
Run by the Peasedown Community Trust, the library saw a huge growth in its number of users in 2023, compared to the previous year.
Cllr Karen Walker is the Operations Manager at the Library. She said: “For a small community library with just 700 books we’re definitely punching above our weight!
“Over 200 people used our services last month. Not only is reading enjoyable, but it’s also good for our mental health too. It reduces stress, is therapeutic and keeps our brains active.”
The library’s stats show that up to 300 books a month are now being issued to members of the public, compared to 150 books a month during the year before.
“This growth is due to a number of factors,” added Karen, “more people are using community facilities again after the covid pandemic, people recognise that reading is good for our mental health, plus we have a dedicated team of volunteers who make people feel welcome whenever they visit!”
Peasedown Community Library is located at The Hive Community Centre, Bath Road, Peasedown St John, BA2 8DH.
Peasedown Community Library is part of the Peasedown Community Trust, which runs several projects in the village. Trust Chairman, Cllr Gavin Heathcote, added: “Peasedown Library is part of the Libraries West consortium, which means that if you take a book out from us you can return it to any library across the South West of England, and vice versa.”
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A woman who left a starving horse to suffer has been banned from keeping horses for ten years.
Katrianna Jade Rich (date of birth: 04/05/1994), of Lower Peasedown, Peasdown St John, Somerset, appeared before Bath Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, 9th August).
She was sentenced following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences at an earlier hearing.
The court heard how Rich, who ran a small holding with a number of horses, sheep and goats, was visited by RSPCA Inspector Daniel Hatfield and a field officer from World Horse Welfare on February 9, 2023 after welfare concerns were raised.
While there, they discovered Murphy, who despite being covered with three rugs, was in visibly poor condition.
Inspector Hatfield, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “I could still easily see his hip bones sticking through the rugs, appearing in really poor body condition and once the rugs were removed you could see just how poor bodily condition he was in – you could see his ribs, hips and spine easily and he stood there with his head stooped down looking extremely depressed and you could see the dips in the side of his head.”
A vet was called to examine Murphy, who was found to be emaciated with a body condition score of just 0.5 out of 5. He also had poor feet with overgrown hooves which were impacted with debris, including embedded stones, and poor dental health, including a fractured tooth.
He was certified as suffering by the vet and was taken into possession by police and passed into the care of the RSPCA.
Further tests found he had a high worm burden but showed nothing abnormal to account for the poor body condition, aside from prolonged starvation.
Murphy gained weight once in the care of the RSPCA by simply being given a normal diet. Photographs, taken just weeks later on March 29th, show how different he looks after spending time in the care of the charity.
Alongside the disqualification, which she can not appeal for ten years, Rich was also ordered to carry out a nine week curfew and pay £400 costs.
B&NES Council have given notice of a temporary road closure to Bath Road
Peasedown St John from its junction with Braysdown Lane in early September
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) ORDER 2023
Notice is given that Bath and North East Somerset Council in exercise of its powers under
section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 intends to make an order to the effect of
which will be to temporarily introduce a road closure in that length of Bath Road
Bath from its junction with Braysdown Lane extending east for approximately 150
This order is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near
the road to enable Openreach safe access to overhead network for pole renewal and
cabling works on the 3rd September 2023 for a maximum period of 2 days
only be restricted as and when traffic signs are in position and may not be effected for the
whole of the period but only for so long as is necessary to execute the works
anticipated to be for ONE DAY between 09:30 – 15:30hrs
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: Bath Road (remainder) – Ashgrove – A367 – Bath Road – Vice Versa
Link to One.network.
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A man has been handed a 15-year jail term at Bristol Crown Court after admitting six counts of indecently assaulting a child over a three-year period in the 1990s
had admitted abusing the girl while she was between the ages of six and nine
His early guilty plea was taken into account during sentencing
The non-recent offences were reported in March 2020 by the victim
His Honour Judge Picton ordered that Mottram should serve half his sentence before being considered for release
when he would have an extended licence period of three years
The judge also imposed an unlimited restraining order and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order
Mottram will remain a registered sex offender indefinitely
HHJ Picton said the offences were a "terrible thing" and an abuse of trust
adding that they resonated throughout her life and describing her as "very brave"
the woman described the impact of the offences which changed her life forever from the age of six
Her initial attempts to tell someone were not believed and she said: "Because of this … almost all of my childhood memories are tainted by him and what he did to me
"The impact of what he did continues to rob positivity and joy from my life
even in times … that should be the most joyful and bring such happiness."
Having her own children led to flashbacks and provided the turning point for her disclosure
She said: "This sentence will never be able to undo everything I’ve so sadly had to experience but I hope that it will keep the defendant from committing any such awful offences again
Nobody else deserves to suffer pain and distress like I suffered and nobody else deserves to have their innocence so wrongly taken from them
"I hope that by sharing and reliving this pain
I may be able to live a life where I can introduce normality again
where I don’t have to live in fear … where I can enjoy time with my young family
knowing that he has been served the strict justice that he truly deserves
but hopefully a strict sentence will enable not just me but my family as a whole to live a life free of ongoing fear and anxiety."
said after the hearing: "The victim in this case has been courageous
and dignified and has shown immense strength to come forward to report these non-recent offences
"She was clearly able to articulate the long term affect that this offending had on both her and her family
This much has been clear throughout and I hope that the sentence will show how robustly it has been dealt with
"I hope that this sentence gives her some closure to these events and allows her to move forward."
If you have been a victim of sexual assault, whether recent or non-recent, please report it to Avon and Somerset Police
You will be supported by a team of dedicated investigators and given access to specialist support
If you are not ready to speak to the police you can contact The Bridge sexual assault referral centre on: 0117 342 699 or visit their website: http://www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk/ for free and confidential advice.
PEASEDOWN St John Primary School student’s artwork has been chosen for the National Gallery's Take One Picture exhibition.
Their artwork, which has been created by pupils in Year 2, will be displayed at the gallery, having been selected from a large number of entries submitted by 51 schools.
For nearly thirty years, the Gallery’s annual 'Take One Picture' program has invited primary school children nationwide to creatively respond to a selected painting. This year, 300 schools participated, a 60% increase from last year.
Children from across the UK created works inspired by Henri Rousseau’s ‘Surprised!’ The program aims to integrate art into the curriculum, inspiring creativity and a lifelong connection with art. By exhibiting selected projects, it celebrates children's work, building pride.
The exhibition features children's creative responses to the painting, including crashing waves, voyaging ships, tea-stained diaries, and imaginative dance performances. The projects connect art with subjects like history, science, geography, and literacy.
The children of Peasedown St John Primary School created a large 3D collage entitled ‘Snake or Tail’ as part of a whole school art week for the Take One Picture project last summer.
Kat Tregale, the school's art leader, was sworn to secrecy about the piece being shortlisted until the gallery announced the exhibition details in June. She arranged for a courier to transport the large collage to London.
Two Peasedown students were excited to be interviewed and featured in the exhibition's promotional video. Only five schools were chosen for this, making it a special highlight for Peasedown.
Ruth Noall, headteacher, said “We are so proud to have had our artwork chosen for this prestigious exhibition. Thousands of people will visit this over the summer and be able to enjoy our children's creativity. Well done children and well done Mrs Tegale!”
Works will be displayed outside Trafalgar Square until September 1, running alongside the Gallery’s ‘Summer on the Square’ to create the Free Festival of Art.
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the whole of Peasedown St John Primary School turned bright yellow in support of Young Minds
nursery to Year 6 and £324 was raised for the campaign
everyone agreed that the best-dressed prize had to go to Year 5 teacher
who delighted her class by coming in dressed as a peelable banana
spoke about the importance of the Young Minds Campaign saying: “We have done lots of work to help our children return to school happily and confidently after lockdown and their mental health is at the forefront of everything we do.”
who said: “Although I’m sorry I didn’t win the best dressed prize myself
who threw themselves into this fundraising event
At Peasedown St John Primary School we strive for excellence
and our pupils love being such an integral part of their community
Fundraising for others is just the type of thing they love to do.”
will be holding their next Advice Surgery on Saturday 6th April
They’ll be joined by Peasedown Parish Councillors Howard Hartley and Gill Auld
It’ll be the first time that both B&NES Councillors and Parish Councillors have held a joint surgery together
It will be an opportunity for residents to discuss issues and any concerns they have about the community
and Braysdown are welcome to drop in between 10 am – 11 am
The Hive Community Centre is located on the Bath Road next to Peasedown St John Primary School (BA2 8DH)
For more details about the advice surgery contact Cllr Heathcote on 07557 683834 / [email protected] or Cllr Walker on 07968 401447/ [email protected]
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A hospital in Peasedown St John is set to become a hub for orthopaedics operations in the South West, able to operate on 1,500 joints a year.
Bath’s Royal United Hospital bought private hospital Circle Bath in Peasedown St John in 2021, renaming it Sulis Hospital. Now Paul Doyle, transformation director of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board’s elective care programme, has told Bath and North East Somerset Council that the facility will become a hub for elective surgery in the South West.
He told the Council’s children, adults, health and wellbeing policy development and scrutiny panel: “It currently does a combination of private treatments but also increasingly an amount of NHS work, and what we have been successful in doing is securing some national funding to extend that facility and convert it into an elective orthopaedic centre. So part of it will be focussed solely on doing orthopaedic work: so hips, knees, shoulders, other joints.”
He added: “We will be turning it into what we call “cold sites” so there’s no emergency care up there, but what that enables us to do is move patients though that hospital incredibly quickly.”
The facility will be solely focussed on elective work with a focus on orthopaedic operations.
Two new modular theatres will be built at the hospital, bringing the total number up to six, and allowing the hospital to carry out about 1,500 joint operations a year. One temporary additional theatre is currently running at the site as “proof on concept.”
Mr Doyle said this would improve the continuity of service for RUH patients, as wider services are currently provided at Combe Park where the service is often closed down for several months due to winter pressures. He said: “Moving it up to Peasedown will enable that service to run all the way through the year, so we will be able to see more patients.”
But he said the hospital would also become a “regional hub” for elective operations. He said: “We will be bringing in patients from Swindon, from Salisbury, but also from North Devon and indeed we are also talking to Cornwall at the moment about patients that might come up from Cornwall as well.
“So that facility will be used not just to service the local population but will also be servicing the wider South West region.”
Mr Doyle said the facility should be operating from June 2024.
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