Somerset Live

Bath motorists are being urged to reduce their speed to 20mph in built-up areas, in a bid to cut the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads. The message comes from road safety charity Brake, as it reveals every week nine adults and three children (age 0 to 17) are run down and killed or seriously hurt when on foot or bike in the South West. Each year the charity dedicates one week to raising awareness of road dangers. The theme for this year's Road Safety Week, which got under way on Monday, is 'Slower speeds = happy people'. Brake is calling on drivers to slow down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops. This, the charity explains, will save lives, as it gives motorists a good chance of stopping in time in an emergency. Brake will also be raising awareness of the importance of making it safer for people to walk and cycle in their community. In the South West last year 26 people were killed on foot and 349 were seriously injured. Of these victims, 28 per cent (105) were children: three child pedestrians were killed and 102 suffered serious injuries. Meanwhile 10 cyclists were killed and 233 suffered serious injuries. Of these victims, 12 per cent (28) were children: two child cyclists were killed and 26 suffered serious injuries. In 2011 pedestrian deaths and serious injuries rose significantly across the UK, and for the first time in 17 years. Pedestrian deaths increased by 12 per cent, while serious injuries climbed five per cent. While cyclist deaths decreased by two per cent in 2011, serious injuries increased by 16 per cent. One Bristol victim is Dan Shearing. On Christmas Eve 2007, at the age of 17, Dan was hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing on a 30mph road in Bristol. He was thrown onto the bonnet before being flung back onto the road face down. His face scraped the ground with such force that the left side of his face was burnt and he suffered bleeding in his brain. Dan, now 21, said: "What happened to me shows how a moment's lapse of concentration at the wheel can lead to disaster. "My injuries were horrendous, but I was one of the lucky ones. It's changed how I drive, and made me realise how important it is to slow right down in communities, especially where there are people about on foot. "My message to drivers is please drive with compassion and consideration for pedestrians, and that means slowing down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops. If you do this you're helping to make our towns and villages safer, happier places." Supt Ian Smith of Avon and Somerset's Roads Policing Unit said: "We are committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. "Speed is one of the main factors in fatal road collisions and slowing down just a few miles an hour can mean the difference between life and death. "Drivers need to adhere to speed limits, and always take extra caution in residential areas or near establishments like schools and hospitals." Franki Hackett, campaign coordinator at Brake, said: "Everyone in the South West should be able to walk and cycle in their community without fear or threat: it's a basic right, and GO 20 is about defending that. "The 2012 Games helped us all realise the importance of being able to live active lifestyles. Critical to this is making our streets and communities safe places we can use and enjoy. "Anyone who drives can help bring this about: pledge to GO 20 in communities, even where the limit's still 30 - you'll be doing something good for people around you, and you'll hardly notice the difference to your journey. "We're also calling on national government and more local authorities in the South West to recognise the need for 20mph, and the huge demand for safe walking and cycling, and GO 20." To find out more about Road Safety Week, visit www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk. To read about the benefits of 20mph zones, click here.

'Cut speed to 20mph' Brake urges Bath drivers

The nautical navigation aide which saved hundreds of lives by helping the first rescue ship reach the Titanic could fetch as much as £70,000 when it goes to auction in Wiltshire this week. The sextant was used by Sir Arthur Rostron, the captain of the RMS Carpathia, to help navigate his way across almost 60 miles of sea to reach the spot where the stricken liner had sent its last distress signal 100 years ago. He made the trip in four hours, after ordering that the ship's hot water and heating be turned off to generate more power for the engines. The Carpathia, a Cunard Line transatlantic passenger steamship, arrived two hours after the Titanic had gone down, but managed to pick up 705 survivors. For their rescue work, the crew of Carpathia were awarded medals by the survivors. Crew members were awarded bronze medals, officers silver and Captain Rostron a silver cup and a gold medal. Rostron was later knighted by King George V, was a guest of President Taft at the White House and was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honour the United States Congress could confer upon him. Now the sextant used in that desperate rescue mission is being offered for sale by the Rostron family. His great granddaughter Janet said: "The sextant has never been on public display before and has been kept within the Rostron family, passed down from father to son for the last 100 years. "The sextant would have been used by him throughout his career and would certainly have been the instrument he used to navigate through the ice flows. Once Sir Arthur retired the sextant was passed onto his son Harry and then onto my father," she added. Sir Arthur was described by his grandson David as "a quiet, kind and dignified man." "The sextant is without doubt a truly unique part of the Titanic story and is estimated to sell for over £70,000," explained Andrew Aldridge, from H Aldridge & Sons auctioneers in Devizes, Wiltshire. "It represents a unique opportunity for either a museum or collector and is a true once in a lifetime opportunity." The sale is on Saturday. November 24. EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT Newspaper report, New York, April 19, Mrs C F Crane of Fort Sheridan, Illinois, a passenger on the Carpathia, said news of the disaster had become known to the passengers and that scores of men and women were lined along the deck watching for the first sight of the crippled Titanic. "With the aid of powerful glasses," Mrs Crane continued, "we soon sighted the lifeboats. The first to come into view was manned by women. Passengers and seamen on the Carpathia were stunned. 'She has sunk,' said an officer of the ship who stood near me. "As the Carpathia slowed up, the women at the oars of the first boat did not seem to be the least bit excited. They were taken on board the Carpathia and their calmness was remarkable. When all the boats had been picked up and there were no others in sight, the first outburst of grief was heard." CARPATHIA FACTFILE Cunard's RMS Carpathia was the product of the Swan & Hunter shipyard in Newcastle. Launched on August 6, 1902, she made her maiden voyage, Liverpool to Boston, on May 4,1903. Carpathia was sunk in the Atlantic on July 17, 1918 after being torpedoed by a German Navy U-boat.

Jenson Button is determined to finish the Formula One season with "a perfect weekend" and get one over on bitter rivals Ferrari. Red Bull may have wrapped up the constructors' title in the United States on Sunday, but Ferrari and McLaren are still going head-to-head for second place and bragging rights given their history. Crucially, with a total prize fund of just over £400 million available to the 12 teams in the constructors' championship, the difference between finishing second and third equates to around £10 million. With Ferrari 14 points ahead of McLaren going into the final race of the year in Sao Paulo this Sunday, for the latter there remains plenty at stake. That was evident by Button's frustration in Austin in which he finished fifth behind race-winning team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Button said: "We scored good points in Austin, with Lewis picking up a maximum, but it was still a little bit frustrating because we didn't gain as many points on Ferrari as we should have done – we're 14 behind them now – which is still quite a few. "We took eight points off them in Austin, so we need to almost double that in Brazil, and I think we can do it if we both have a perfect weekend. That has to be our aim for the end of the year. "Even though we can't win the constructors', second place still does mean so much to the team. "It's a lot of money, and this is the team I race for, so it does mean a lot for the future. "Also, you always want to get one over on Ferrari. You want to finish in front of them, that's the way it is. We're competitive, and although we can't beat Red Bull, we've a chance of beating Ferrari. "So we'd love to win, which would finish the year on a massive high, with Lewis winning in Austin, and I would love to win in Brazil."

The man who taught Bath golden girls Helen Glover and Heather Stanning to row has been named as performance development coach of the year at the UK Coaching Awards 2012. Paul Stannard worked with the London 2012 women's pair champions while based at the GB Rowing Team's START talent ID and development programme at the University of Bath. He received his award from Sports Coach UK patron HRH the Princess Royal in a glittering ceremony at The Lancaster in London on Tuesday evening. David Tanner, GB Rowing Team's performance director, said: "I'm very pleased that Paul's exceptional coaching in finding and teaching rowing's first women's Olympic champions has been recognised. "It is a tribute to Paul and also to the outstanding coaching in the GB Rowing Team's START Programme, where both Helen and Heather began their Olympic journey." During his time at Bath, Stannard also worked with Vicky Thornley who won World under-23 gold in 2009 and then World Championships bronze in 2011 in the women's eight before going on to qualify for the 2012 Games. Stannard is currently men's performance coach for GB Rowing Team and this summer helped the British men's four to a bronze medal at the World under-23 Championships.

Coaching accolade for man who taught Bath's golden girls Glover and Stanning how to row

Struggling families in the West were yesterday warned they could end up with higher energy bills – all because of changes that are intended to stop people being ripped off. The Government yesterday published plans to move customers onto the cheapest price available from their supplier by the summer of 2014 at the latest. The measures will limit the energy giants to four tariffs per fuel, and they will have to make bills simpler for customers to understand. Households will be moved onto the cheapest tariff with their supplier that suits them while maintaining consumer choice, ministers say. At the moment there are over 410 energy tariffs – with a £300 difference between the cheapest and most expensive. However, Energy Secretary Ed Davey could not guarantee the plans would mean all households would enjoy lower bills. And Lindsey Kearton of Consumer Focus warned customers may actually lose out over the reforms. "What really matters is that consumers have access to energy at an affordable price and on terms that are understandable, with the ability to compare one offer with another," she said. The success of the initiative would depend on how energy companies implemented it, and the regulator Ofgem would play a key role, she said. "There is a risk of unintended consequences and in particular a general levelling up of prices. Ofgem will need to police the behaviour of suppliers and be vigilant about the level of margins that suppliers take from their remaining tariffs. Consumers must not end up as net losers." Labour's Caroline Flint said David Cameron was trying to pull the wool over people's eyes. She said: "The Prime Minister promised to force the energy companies to put everyone on the cheapest tariff and he has broken his promise. All the Government is really doing is reducing the number of tariffs on offer. If energy companies are only allowed to offer one tariff for every type of contract, that's not the lowest tariff – it's the only tariff." Hundreds of thousands of West households are currently regarded as being in fuel poverty, with the Forest of Dean, North Devon, Bristol South and East and Bridgwater having the highest proportion. Mr Davey said: "I am determined to ensure all consumers get a better deal on their energy bill and get the cheapest tariff they can." Energy prices have been soaring far above inflation, but there are fears the reforms could see an end to cheap deals, stop consumers switching and push up bills in the long run. He said he thought many families would get lower bills, but admitted: "I can't guarantee every single person will end up paying less."

A Bath restaurant is in line to win a top prize in the curry industry. The Mint Room is among 108 restaurants nationally shortlisted for the 2012 British Curry Awards. The Lower Bristol Road restaurant has been shortlisted in the category for Best Spice Restaurant South West. The results will be announced at a dinner at London's Battersea Evolution next Monday, which will be attended by more than 1,600 restaurateurs, celebrities and senior political figures. More than a quarter of a million public nominations were received for this year's awards. British Curry Awards founder and organiser Enam Ali said: "For any restaurant to get to this stage is really quite something. We've always had a very good public response to our nomination process, but this year it has been absolutely staggering. The British Curry Awards, now in their eighth year, are recognised as the industry's premier prize. As well as the ten winners who will collect their awards on the night, a further ten restaurants will be given special recognition for their achievements.

Mint Room in Bath cooking up a bid for 2012 British Curry Awards

Representatives from the University of Bath paid tribute to footballing legend Ivor Powell during a special event at the sports training village. The event followed a funeral service for Mr Powell, who was the world's oldest football coach during his time with Team Bath. He died earlier this month aged 96. Ivor played for Wales, Blackpool, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers during a distinguished career. When he hung up his boots Ivor became a coach and spent 37 years coaching both Bath City and the university's Team Bath. University vice-chancellor Dame Glynis Breakwell said: "Ivor was all about determination and success, and doing it in a way which was of the finest quality. "Ivor leaves us with many, many happy memories and his legacy lives on through the Ivor Powell Award for Coaching Excellence, which is presented at the annual Blues Awards, and also through the Ivor Powell Sports Scholarship Fund." His funeral service was held at Haycombe Crematorium and was followed by the tribute event at the University. Former University head football coach and current manager at Exeter City Paul Tisdale said: "There's a hole in my life since Ivor's passing. "I worked alongside Ivor for seven years as a football coach here at the University. "Little did I know the influence he would have on helping me form my coaching philosophies and work ethics, Ivor could always lend the most pertinent advice." Former University of Bath footballers who were coached by Ivor were among those celebrating his life.

University of Bath hosts special tribute to football legend Ivor Powell

A number of flood alerts have been issued this morning following torrential overnight rain in and around Bath. The Environment Agency warned householders to expect flooding from the River Chew from Chew Stoke to Keynsham. Agency officials issued a red flood warning which says flooding is expected and immediate action should be taken after more than 300mm of rain fell in 12 hours in some parts of the region. Weston Road in Bath was flooded at the Park Lane junction, as was St Saviour's Road in Larkhall and the bottom of Pennyquick Hill. Later the A431 between Bitton and Bath was also shut because of flooding, and there has also been reports of problems in Keynsham. Bath and North East Somerset Councillor Geoff Ward tweeted: "Charlcombe Lane badly flooded, water pouring off the hills and creating mayhem!!" And @pc_t tweeted: "Flooding at the bottom of Winsley Hill." A series of amber flood alerts were also issued for the area warning families to be prepared as flooding is possible. The flood alerts covered the Mid River Avon and tributaries including Melksham and Bradford on Avon. People living near the the River Biss and tributaries between Westbury and Trowbridge were also on flood alert. Another alert covered the Upper River Avon and tributaries including Chippenham. Drivers were urged to take extra care after the overnight downpours left standing water on many roads. There were long delays on the A37 after flooding between Pensford and Whitchurch. Earlier today weather forecaster Ian Fergusson tweeted: "15 flood warnings in SW England. Very dynamic situation this AM whilst rain continues to fall." At 11.00 this morning there were 47 flood warnings in force across South West England and a further 54 flood alerts. Flooding caused widespread disruption to train services across the region today. Passengers travelling between London and Bath faced severe delays with trains being diverted around Swindon and Chippenham. Just one train and hour was arriving at Bath Spa Station Bath from London Paddington. There were reports of major problems between Tiverton Parkway and Weston-super-Mare/Westbury. Cross Country train services were facing delays of up to two hours between between Exeter St Davids and Bristol Temple Meads/Westbury. There were further problems to the north. All trains were cancelled between Bristol Temple Meads and Gloucester because of flooding. Bus services were also hit. Passengers on the 265 service from Bath to Warminster faced a delay of 20 minutes. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued the following advice to motorists driving through flooded areas:• Don't drive through standing water - as well as the water damaging your car, there may be hazards under the water you can't see. If you see a sign to say that the road is closed due to flooding, remember the sign is there for a reason. Don't try to drive through or you might get stuck.• If you are driving a larger vehicle, do not go through flood water at speed as this creates a 'bow wave' that can then cause flooding to adjacent properties.• When driving, if heavy rain is making visibility difficult, pull over if possible. • Remember that roads will be slippery during wet conditions. Area manager Julian Parsons said: "Whilst we are very busy attending numerous incidents, we are still able to maintain an adequate level of fire cover and we ask that the public only contact us if life or property is in danger. "If you do contact us, we may not automatically send a fire crew as we can only help in certain situations. There has to be a certain level of water before we can pump water away, and we have to be able to pump it somewhere without it having a detrimental effect elsewhere."

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Families on flood alert after torrential overnight rain

Government figures released today have confirmed that residents in the Bath & North East Somerset Council made one of the biggest jumps of any local authority area in the country in the recycling and compost league table.

The jump from 100th to 50th out of 351 local authorities coincides with residents recycling or composting more than they send to landfill for the first time ever. The Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) figures for 2011/12 revealed that in the Bath and North East Somerset area, the average amount of waste per household disposed of during the year was 467kg. The amount of waste recycled, composted or reused was 52% with the amount going to landfill nearly 40%.

Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said, "As a direct result of more and more households taking up food waste recycling and Bath & North East Somerset Council's waste awareness campaigns which take place all year round, more local people than ever are recycling, composting or reusing. This is excellent news for the local taxpayer because the local taxpayer is less exposed to Landfill Tax charges and the area becomes more environmentally friendly as our carbon footprint is reduced.

"There is more that can be done. We estimate that around half of households still do not use their food recycling containers. The Council will be doing everything it can to encourage those households to play their part and move us even further up the national recycling league table."

The key reason why the Council did not move even higher was because unlike many local authorities, it has retained weekly bin collections and is proposing to do so in 2013/14 subject to confirmation of Government funding for this purpose.

The DEFRA National Statistics Release headline results were:

In 2011/12, 43 per cent of household waste was recycled. Although this is the highest recycling rate recorded for England, the rate of increase has been levelling off, with 2011/12 being the lowest year on year increase for ten years.
Household waste generation was 22.9 million tonnes, continuing the year on year fall seen since 2007/8. This amounts to 431kg of waste per person.
Local Authorities recycled, composted or reused 10.7 million tonnes of the waste they collected. This amounted to more than was landfilled for the first time since records began, although an increase in incineration may have partly accounted for the change in landfill.

Play your part today

There are many ways for local people to play their part in improving recycling rates even further. Lots of information is available on the Council's website www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices as well as a short video demonstrating how easy it is to food recycle.

For all the latest news from the Council subscribe to its Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/bathnes

Meteoric rise up the recycling league table revealed by Government stats

A budget for Children's Services in the Bath & North East Somerset Council area which recognises the changing role of local government in education and early years care will be discussed by the Early Years, Children and Youth Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel on 26th November 2012.

The Children's Services financial plan is the final of four reports which set out the organisation's financial position and how services will be provided to children and young people over the next three years. This recognises both the impact of Government reform and reductions in Government funding.

Changing role of the Local Authority

The Government has introduced significant changes to the role of local government in education, early years, and youth. For example, the expansion of the academies programme has removed funding from local to central government. Also, the creation of 'Teaching Schools' will impact upon the Council role in securing school improvement.

Wider changes to Early Years funding for 2 and 3 year olds, combined with cuts in 'Early Intervention' grants mean that the Council is re-shaping services to focus only upon those with the greatest level of need and who are also most vulnerable. Services will become mostly highly targeted to support the most vulnerable children and young people to prepare for adult life. There are a range of measures we are taking in response to this challenge.

Despite funding pressures the Council is maintaining its commitment to Child Protection Services and Children and Young People in our Care.

Bringing together our Youth Service with Connexions

The Government expects secondary schools to directly provide high quality, impartial careers advice therefore the Council is proposing to end its current Connexions contract with Learning Partnership West.

Our continuing duties in this area which are to our most vulnerable young people will be delivered through a new service which brings together Youth Services and Connexions. The new service will strive for excellence as we concentrate our resources on our most vulnerable young people, particularly those at risk of falling out of education, employment, or training. We will retain a focus also on vulnerable groups and communities and our Youth Centres will continue to play an important role in this work.

Targeting the work of our Early Years and Children's Centre Services

The emphasis on targeting our resources towards vulnerable children and families will also apply to our Children's Centres and Early Years Settings. No Children's Centres closures are planned at this time. They play an important part in the future of our service to vulnerable people and local communities.

These changes are significant and the Council will need to consider a range of options around how services are delivered into the future. The Council has a track record of innovative solutions and will engage with stakeholders in considering all options.

Investing in our future

Key investments will be made in local school buildings to improve the learning environment for children and young people, preparing them for adult life. We plan to invest £4 million in 2013/14.

This will include a new initiative called the School Energy Invest to Save Fund that will provide £500,000 in 2013/14 together with £290,000 from local schools. The Council is currently carrying out energy efficiency assessments in all schools across the area. These will identify projects that will cut energy costs for schools and reduce their carbon footprint, such as more efficient lighting systems or better insulation. The fund will act as a loan for schools to undertake the works that they wouldn't normally be able to fund themselves in one go.

Now have your say…

Any resident or local organisation can have their say about the budget by:

Giving your view at www.bathnes.gov.uk/budgetview or writing to Resources Team, 3rd Floor, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW;
Attending the public meeting giving two working days' notice to the Council via Democratic Services at democratic_services@bathnes.gov.uk or calling 01225 394435.

The report can be found here: http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=461&MId=3670&Ver=4

For all the latest news from the Council subscribe to its Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/bathnes

Regional publisher Northcliffe Media, which owns ThisisBath and The Bath Chronicle, is to be sold to create a new media business. Local World, created from the newspapers and websites of Northcliffe Media and Iliffe News & Media, launches today. The group says Local World intends to "transform regional publishing to create a one-stop shop for local content to serve the community and business in every aspect of life." David Montgomery will be chairman of Local World, and Steve Auckland, formerly Managing Director of Metro, Yorkshire Post Newspapers and Northcliffe Media, will be group chief executive. Rachel Addison, currently Chief Financial Officer of Northcliffe, will assume the same role at Local World. They will be supported by a management team drawn from Northcliffe Media and Iliffe News & Media. Announcing the new venture, David Montgomery said: "This is an entirely new type of media business. The value of Local World will lie in its people, its franchises and its IP. "It will be unencumbered by the infrastructure of the industrial past such as property, printing presses and large scale distribution or any legacy issues such as high levels of debt. Local World signals the fight back in Britain's regional media industry." The management team led by Montgomery, a former Chief Executive of publishers Mecom and Mirror Group, intends to re-invigorate local newspaper publishing and the digital distribution of local content. The new business aims to build on leading regional media titles, with strong audience loyalty in local communities, and expand Local World's digital presence with the investment of £10 million. In a statement released this morning, the group say the new investment and the combination of Northcliffe and Iliffe titles "will create a strong media business dedicated to the provision of first-class local content and advertising sales solutions." The combined product portfolio of 63 local portal websites has a monthly audience of over seven million unique users. The print business includes 16 daily titles, 36 paid weeklies, 40 free weeklies, two Metro franchises and a number of niche products including magazines. Famous brands include the Cambridge Evening News, Leicester Mercury and Hull Daily Mail. The combined print portfolio has a weekly reach of six million people. Citing his experience at Mecom, where subsidiary Edda Media in Norway derived a quarter of advertising revenue from online and enjoyed digital traffic almost matching daily print circulation, Montgomery said: "Demand for local content remains as high as it has ever been. "The correct strategic approach can transform a local media business focused on that opportunity. We look forward to satisfying this continuing demand and monetising our strategy." Incoming Group CEO Steve Auckland added: "Local World is a new beginning with a team dedicated to growing the local markets they serve. "Our plans give us a real opportunity to produce a business that is positive, engaging and a pleasure to work with. This takes time, dedication and brilliant execution, and is somewhere everyone in media would want to work." International merchant bank Lepe Partners LLP has acted throughout as sole financial adviser to Local World in relation to the transaction.

The family of a Bath woman who went missing have thanked the community for its help in finding her. Janet Aplin, 58, who went missing on Sunday, was found unhurt at 11pm last night in the Oldfield Park area of the city after her car was spotted by members of the public. Her eldest daughter Samantha Meggat, 32, who runs the Victoria Hotel, on Millmead Road, has thanked local people for their support and help. She said: "We just want to thank everyone who has helped Tweeting or posting information on Facebook, the shops that put up posters. People really have been fantastic. "We especially want to thank the police. They were so, so good at keeping us updated. "We are massively relieved to have mum home." Mrs Aplin went missing on Sunday evening after visiting her own mother at the Avon Court care home in Chippenham. The mother-of-two is well known within the city having been the landlady at the Victoria Hotel for more than 20 years. Before that she and her husband Steven, 59, had run Bath's Liberal Club Mrs Aplin was also an active member of the parent teacher association at the former South Twerton Junior School for a number of years, and used to volunteer in a number of Bath's charity shops. A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to the Oldfield Park area after Mrs Aplin's car was spotted last night at around 6.45pm, Mrs Aplin was found a few hours later within the area unhurt. Chief Supt Geoff Spicer said: "It was thanks to members of the public and diligent searching by our officers that Mrs Aplin is back with her family. "We received a report of a sighting of her, we confirmed it was her on CCTV, and we then employed considerable resources including a dog handler and a police helicopter to search for her. I would like to thank everyone who helped us to find her safe and well."

Family's thanks after missing Bath woman Janet Aplin found safe

The number of young people in Bath applying to go to university has dropped by 18 per cent since the introduction of tuition fees. New statistics show that applications in the city have fallen at double the rate of the UK-wide figure of nine per cent, highlighting a trend that predominantly middle class areas are being hit the hardest. The University and College Admissions Service has concluded that there is evidence of a sharper fall in application rates for young people from wealthier backgrounds, compared with poorer teenagers. It is believed this could be because they are not able to take advantage of living grants and tuition fee waivers, available for teenagers from poorer households, so are most affected by the rise in fees. The number of people in Bath applying to university dropped from 3,366 in 2011 to 2,746 in 2012. Today the National Union of Students was organising an Educate, Employ, Empower march in central London to raise awareness of the issue of young people being put off university because of the cost. President Liam Burns said: "The sheer speed and scale of the fall in applications in some areas is something shocking. "Tens of thousands of people from the length and breadth of the country have turned their back on university as a result of this government's policies. The waste of potential is tragic. "Ministers are being at best naïve and at worst consciously ignorant to suggest that these profound drops are not connected to trebling of tuition fees. "No one with the ability and aspiration should think they can't go to university but no amount of sermons from on high on the merits of the loan repayment system can deny these damning statistics. "Our message is that a fairly funded and sustainable education system with clear support for the students who need it would not only boost the economy and employment but also empower individuals, families, and communities."

University of Bath student and judo player Gemma Howell has won her first World Cup title since moving to study and train in the city. Howell, who is in the first year of a Sport and Exercise Science degree at the University, struck gold in the World Cup in Samoa. She did it in style with three Ippon wins in the under-63kg class, including a two minute and 20 seconds victory over USA player Hannah Martin in the final. University graduate Andy Burns also continued his recent form with bronze in the under-90kg class in Samoa. Victory over New Zealand's Ryan Dill-Russell in the bronze medal play-off secured the medal. The Coach Education and Sports Development graduate, who trains at Team Bath, took gold at the World Cup in Minsk, Belarus, last month. Howell, a London 2012 Olympian, returns to action in the Qingdao World Cup in Chinathis weekend.

Michael Claassens admits that if Bath Rugby are to reach their stated ambition of becoming a top-four side again in the Aviva Premiership then this Christmas period is as big as it gets. The Rec outfit face defending champions Harlequins, followed by runners-up Leicester Tigers and 2011 champions Saracens in three successive games before the Christmas festivities begin. With eight games gone in the league Bath currently sit seventh in the table with four wins and four defeats, including a disappointing last-gasp 16-9 reversal to newly promoted London Welsh last time out. This summer saw a lot of changes behind the scenes at the West Country club as former Springbok assistant Gary Gold took over at the helm with former London Irish head coach Toby Booth also joining him on the staff. And South African scrum-half Claassens, who made his 150th appearance for the club when he came off the bench in the LV= Cup last weekend, insists that the time for excuses is now over. "Of course we had a lot of changes in the summer on the coaching side of things," he said. "Everyone had to re-learn a few things and there was a real change up but that time has passed now. "Gary (Gold) has come in and made a real difference but everyone knows their roles now and what is expected of us. "It is about performing now how we know that we can and starting to get the results that a side with this much quality in should be getting. "We want to get into the top four this season, that is our goal and to test ourselves against the likes of Harlequins is massive. "It's the biggest match of our season so far and a chance for us to prove that we can hang with the best. "Having played them just last week in the LV= Cup it's a chance for us learn from the mistakes that we made at the Stoop and bring them back to the Rec." Against Quins last time out the boot of Ben Botica helped the home side to a 21-12 victory in the second round of the LV= Cup. And Claassens, who came on in the second half for Chris Cook in that clash, admits that despite the defeat it was a real honour to rack up his 150th appearance. "I feel very privileged and lucky to have played so many games for this great club," he added. "And this season feels like it has the potential to be a great one, everyone in the squad needs to be ready to contribute and Harlequins this weekend is going to be a massive clash, a must-win game." Aviva are proud to be title sponsor of Aviva Premiership Rugby - one of the world's leading rugby union competitions. Each season will feature 135 games, which will be watched by 1.7 million people live at the grounds and many more through our broadcast partners Sky, ITV and ESPN - visit www.premiershiprugby.com

Christmas is key to top-four ambition for Bath Rugby, says Michael Claassens

Towns in Wiltshire have been put on flood alert after heavy rainfall yesterday and last night.
Rural areas of the county have been warned of flooding across roads and footpaths and people have been advised to take extra care when walking in the areas.
The B4069 in Kington Langley near Chippenham is closed both ways due to flooding. A diversion is underway towards Chippenham however anyone who does not need to travel this way is advised to avoid the area.
Staverton near Trowbridge by the Nestle Factory is also under threat of flooding as the River Avon's water is rising. The area is known for a flooding hotspot.
Bradford-on-Avon by the town bridge is also being watched however the road is still open to traffic with large puddles in the lower town.
Frome Road between Southwick and Trowbridge is experiencing heavy traffic and taking around 30 minutes to get into the town. This is possibly due to a diversion.
Schools are threatening to close due to the heavy rainfall. @LesleyHoldway tweeted: "Broughton Gifford is pretty bad and Facebook announced the school was closing as it is getting harder to get in!"
@TheDriverJohn tweeted: "A419 between Swindon & Cricklade; heavy rain & many patches of standing water. Traffic running free but poor visability."
@Malloney70 tweeted: "Westbury to Bratton Road heavy flooding, lots of deep roadside water."Public transport is also affected with delays to bus services from Bath to Warminster. Trains between Bristol and Plymouth are severely delayed with cancellations expected.
Do you know of any flooding in your area? Tell us about it here!

Wiltshire on flood alert due to heavy rain

Drivers in Bath had a lucky escape today as a 50ft tree crashed onto parked cars. The tree smashed into cars parked in Weston Park Road as travel plans were plunged into chaos by the continued torrential downpours. Roads were blocked, homes flooded and trains stopped in their tracks as the region bore the brunt of the latest storm to lash the country. Police received a number of calls from worried members of the public after the tree blocked Weston Park Road around 11am today. The tree hit at least one parked car and brought down a street light but fortunately no one was hurt in the drama. As the rain continued to fall in and around Bath the A431 between Bitton and Bath was closed because of flooding. Long delays built up on the A4 Bath Road at Saltford because of flooding. Drivers were advised the road was "passable with care". Earlier Weston Road in the city was also flooded at the Park Lane junction and there were reports of flooding at the bottom of Winsley Hill. Bath and North East Somerset Councillor Geoff Ward went onto the social network site Twitter to report: "Charlcombe Lane badly flooded, water pouring off the hills and creating mayhem!!" The B4069 in Kington Langley near Chippenham and the A361 between Semington and Trowbridge was closed because of flooding. Train services between Swindon and and Bath and Gloucester and Bristol were suspended as the rain brought wreaked more havoc.

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Lucky escape as 50ft tree crashes onto parked cars in Bath

Flood alerts have been issued in Bath today following torrential overnight downpours, with flooding expected from the River Chew from Chew Stoke to Keynsham. But what should you do if you are affected by flooding? On the road - Find out if your bus route has been affected by flooding here or your train journey here Do not travel in heavy rainstorms unless absolutely necessary. Keep an eye on weather reports on local television or listen to local radio - Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords. The water is often deeper than it looks, and may be moving fast. Your vehicle could be swept away or become stranded - If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately if safe to do so and seek higher ground - Do not attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels - these can cause serious injuries or even death. The Environment Agency warns six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over, and two feet of water will float your car At home - Turn off your gas and electricity supply – ask your supplier how to do this. Mark taps or switches with stickers to help you remember. After a flood in your home, make sure all electrical circuits are fully dried out and checked by an electrical engineer before switching back on. Failure to do so can cause serious injuries or death. The National Flood Forum advises that once all electrical safety checks have been made you use a circuit breaker with any electrical equipment you may use in, or to clean or repair your property - Floodwater may be contaminated, especially by untreated sewage. Wear rubber boots and gloves in and around the affected property - Wash all cuts and cover with waterproof plasters. Anyone receiving a puncture wound during flood recovery should have a doctor determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary Small children, pregnant women and people with health problems should avoid floodwater and flooded areas until the clean-up is complete. However, if you do feel unwell or if you accidentally swallow mud or contaminated water and you become ill, you should consult your doctor and tell them your house was flooded - Be careful when moving in and around property that has been flooded, and when moving any debris that may have been carried onto your property. Avoid heavy objects that may be unstable and could suddenly move and trap or crush you. Do not attempt to move anything yourself that cannot be lifted comfortably - If you smell gas call the National Grid on 0800 111 999 or if you spot a potential hazard on or near overhead electricity lines, phone 0800 404 090 How to sort an insurance claim - Citzens Advice Bureau may be able to offer advice on how to obtain money in an emergency and deal with insurance queries. Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk to find out more - In almost all cases your insurance company will send a loss adjuster to look at your property. They will confirm what repairs and replacements are needed and covered by your policy - Ask: If they will help pay for repairs that will reduce potential flood damage and therefore reduce costs if it happens again How long it will be before the loss adjuster visits If you are to clean your property or if they will get a company to do it for you - Use a permanent ink pen to mark on the wall the height the flood water got to. Do this in every room affected by flooding. Photograph or video your damaged property and list the damage to your property and belongings - If your insurance policy covers you for loss of perishable goods, make a list of all the foods you throw away. Include any food touched by flood water and anything in your fridge or freezer ruined by loss of power - Make a note of all telephone calls. Record the date, name and what was agreed. Keep receipts, and copies of all correspondence - If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible - If you do not have insurance, your local council should be able to provide information on hardship grants or charities that may be able to help you Who to call - The Environment Agency provides the Floodline service on 0845 988 1188. You can listen to recorded flood warning information for your area or speak to an operator for advice 24 hours a day Sign up for free flood warnings here - The local council should provide advice about what to do and deal with road closures - click here - Citzens Advice Bureau - click here - CIRIA - click here or call 020 7549 3300 Don't forget - Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater, as it may be contaminated - Keep listening to local radio for updates or call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188 - Flood water can rise quickly. Stay calm, and call 999 if you are in danger

• What should I do when it floods?

Flooding advice: what to do and who to call

Rail travellers faced severe disruption today as the flooding aftermath of the torrential downpours left train lines blocked. Passengers were warned not to travel unless necessary as those heading for Bath and travelling between Bristol and Swindon were warned to expect delays of up to two hours. This afternoon First Great Western services were being divered around Chippenham and Swindon after flooding on the line near Box. Just one train an hour was arriving at Bath Spa Station from London Paddington. The line was later re-opened but passengers on a train heading to Bath suffered further frustration when a signal failure added to their delay. A bus service was in operation for passengers stranded at stations hit by the flooding. A spokeswoman for First Great Western said "every single train" was delayed on high-speed routes. But the spokeswoman said trains were now running between London and Bristol but trains and crews were out of place between of the disruption. Passengers travelling on to Bristol faced severe disruption and cancellations in the aftermath of the heavy rain. Lines between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare were blocked and passengers were warned trains could be cancelled or delayed by up to two hours. There was more disruption cause by the flooding to the north of Bristol. Passengers heading for Gloucester from Bristol Parkway found the route blocked with services cancelled or liable to severe delays. Sleeper services to and from London Padding were also cancelled as the disruption spread. First said trains were running at reduced speed because of flooding on the line between Plymouth and Westbury.

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Rail passengers face cancellations and severe delays as flooding blocks lines

The long-running saga over the future of Bath's Recreation Ground is entering its final chapter. Councillors will next week give their backing to proposals to be published by the Charity Commission which would give Bath Rugby a bigger slice of The Rec. In return, the club's Lambridge sports ground would be transferred into the hands of the Recreation Ground Trust, which oversees the Rec. The rugby club has been striving for years to find a way to construct a bigger stadium at The Rec, and the land deal which is at the heart of the commission's new "scheme" should end the stalemate once and for all. The trust - which would in future expand its membership beyond councillors to include independent trustees - will produce a leaflet outlining the implications of the scheme. There will then be a month in which representations about the proposals can be made to the commission, which has been trying to find a solution to The Rec since a High Court case a decade ago. That case ruled that there was a clash between the land's charitable status and its use by a commercial organisation in the shape of the rugby club, and the commission says a way to square this circle and allow the club to expand is for more land to made available for public use. The commission scheme establishes a framework which would allow the club to be granted a new lease. Bath Rugby, which is looking to create an arena with a capacity of between 17,000 and 18,000, would then submit a planning application. Any new stadium would have stands on three sides, as at present, with a temporary east stand put up for the playing season only. The trust meets at 6.30pm next Thursday at the Guildhall to discuss the latest situation.

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