Somerset Live

After missing out in two cup finals and three semis over the last three years, Combe Down under-17s finally put their name on some silverware by lifting Bristol Junior Combination Plate with a 22-19 win over Chew Valley. In a tense final at Stothert and Pitt RFC, the Downers built a 12-0 lead at half-time through a superb opportunist try from Ben Brown and a number eight pick-up by Pat Zindi. But it was clear they would have to defend for their lives in the second half as they played up the considerable slope and into the wind. Chew Valley came out determined to fight their way back into the match and the penalty count went up as Combe Down were put under severe pressure all over the pitch. In a rare visit to the opposition 22, Combe Down orchestrated a superb rolling maul from 15 metres out for Tom Horner to touch down under a pile of bodies. The converted try was soon followed by a penalty kick from Fin White to give Combe Down some breathing space at 22-5. Soon afterwards they Combe were reduced to 14 an and Chew Valley sensed the opportunity. At just three points up and with the possibility of another near-miss looming, Down defended their narrow lead like men possessed for the final ten minutes and ended up camped on the opposition 22 to close the game out.

Silverware at last as Combe Down under-17s lift Bristol Junior Combination Plate

The dry weather conditions were exploited by a rampant Avonvale side, who racked up a 61-5 victory at Swindon Supermarine in Dorset & Wilts 2 North. The visitors took an early lead through skipper Jon Keepen and but were just three converted tries ahead at the break, lock Mark Davis bagging the other two following charges through a lacklustre home defence. Flanker Tom Walker touched down two minutes after the restart but Supermarine then found their way and started to use their wings to push Vale back into their own 22. With no way through, the Bathford side regained possession and forced their way over again. Davis again broke through and found back-row Jack Regnard in support. With the home side tiring fast, Vale's youngsters took off and further tries from wing Tom Hendy, replacement back row Jason Russell and centre Matt Knight followed Supermarine managed a consolation try but Vale rounded off the day with Vowles' score in the last minute. The centre added his eighth conversion of the day to take his personal points tally to 21.

Avonvale sink Supermarine in nine-try away triumph

A hard-fought victory over Chard 2nds saw Old Sulians get back to winning ways in Somerset 1 but they left it late to secure a maximum haul of points. The hosts looked to get the ball wide at every opportunity and were soon rewarded for their endeavours when winger Archer ended off a flowing three-quarter move by darting over in the corner. After a series of mauls close to the Sulians 22, Chard responded with a converted try under the posts. Sulians hit back through a moment of individual skill from centre Howells, who fixing the oncoming defence daintily chipped over their heads and regained possession to score. Wright converted for a 12-7 half-time lead. The first quarter of the second half belonged to Chard and, as Sulians tried to run the ball at every opportunity the visitors seized their chance to level the scores. It proved the catalyst Sulians needed and they turned on the style after some choice words from skipper Kelsey. After some inter play between backs and forwards, centre Harris clinically finished off a move under the posts and Wright converted. From the restart, a good kick and chase down field put the Chard full-back under pressure and fly-half Wright found space to glide over for another fine score. With almost the last play of the day, lively full-back Wells joined the line at pace and neatly slid a fine rolling kick through for impressive winger Booton to gather and sprint over un-opposed for Sulians' fifth try. Wright again added the conversion. Sulians, who face Frome in the Bath Combination Plate quarter-finals on Wednesday night, Old Redcliffians on Saturday. The resurgence of Sulians 2nds continued as a combination of veterans and students proved too hot to handle for Barton Hill 3rds in a 35-7 success.

Old Sulians get back to winning ways at home to Chard 2nds

Sam Burns signed off for the season with two tries to help Combe Down to a 22-14 win over Fairford at Hollys Corner. After conceding an early try, Combe Down stepped up the pace and James Smith, Jack Cowan and Simian Fenton-Springer regularly broke the gain-line, eventually putting Josh Ridewood- Williams over in the corner. The game remained tight until a three-try burst from Combe Down midway through the second half took the home side clear. First Burns skipped past several defenders to run in from 30 metres. He crossed the line again after full-back Ridewood-Williams ran the ball from deep in his half and his clever kick ahead bounced up into Burns' hands. Scrum-half Jack Williams added a fourth after a powerful burst and sidestep took him past the full-back and under the posts. Head coach Dave Cobb said: "We wish Sam all the best and look forward to seeing him back in Combe Down colours next season, when I expect this young side will really start to come together. "They have already competed well this season, especially as the pitches have dried out allowing them to put more width on the game. But I'm certain there's a lot more to come from these boys."

Sam Burns stars with try double as Combe Down defeat Fairford

An organised and efficient Nailsea & Backwell side emerged from Adamsfield with a 25-16 victory as Stothert & Pitt's alarming dip in form continued on Saturday. The Somerset Premier leaders – who were unveiled as the Greensward Sports Consultancy Team of the Month for the second time this season before kick-off – went into the game on the back of a defeat at Old Reds and have had their lead at the summit cut to eight points by Tor. Despite starting well and going ahead through an Ollie Perkins penalty, Stotherts conceded a try to powerful wing Aaron Rice. Stotherts put that behind them and sustained pressure saw Perkins convert a try from Mike Sinclair and then clip over a smart drop goal. However, once again indecision and an inability to turn pressure into points saw them turn around only 13-5 up. With the breeze now in their favour, Nailsea capitalised on a home error to send Rice in for another try which Rob Baker converted. Baker then kicked a penalty and although Perkin briefly regained the lead for Stotherts with a penalty, the Ravens began to dominate territory through a good kicking game. It pinned Stotherts back and they were rewarded when Matt Hunt crossed for a well-worked try in the corner. With a four-point advantage, Nailsea were in no mood to relinquish their lead and following strong defence on their own line, took play back upfield in the dying moments. A blind side break saw Hunt cross again to secure a fully deserved bonus-point win for the visitors, leaving Stotherts to pick themselves up for a tricky encounter at Weston United on Saturday.

Stothert & Pitt handed second successive defeat by Nailsea & Backwell

Table-topping Drybrook ended Avon's impressive run in Western Counties North with a 36-10 victory. Visiting Avon chose to play against the wind and slope in the first half and the pattern of the game was soon established. Avon were dominant at the set-pieces while Drybrook looked to use their powerful ball carriers before unleashing their talented back division. Drybrook opened the scoring after ten minutes through a straightforward penalty following their first visit to the Avon half. Avon hit back when, following a series of forward drives, they switched play across the pitch and Rob Fitch threw a great miss ball to allow Dan Mutlow to score in the corner. Avon kept attacking but where sent back on a number of occasions by long clearance kicks and evenly conceded a converted try in the corner following sharp handling by the hosts' backs. With just six minutes to go before half-time Avon looked in good shape to turn around with the element only five points down. However, following yet another turnover and a clearance downfield the Drybrook full-back gathered and went on an outstanding individual run from halfway to score in the corner. The conversion was made and on the stroke half-time Drybrook went over again to leave Avon to chase the game in the second period. Avon took the game to the leaders early in the second half and another strike against the head by the front row led to a try for winger Ian Northcott. However, he was injured when scoring and had to leave the field before being followed out of the action by skipper Kai Harwood, who suffered a chest problem. A further injury to hooker Hurd's arm meant he could not throw in and Avon lost some of their momentum. Drybrook took full advantage to run two tries to wrap up another win and extend their two-year unbeaten home record.

Avon's run ended at table-topping Drybrook

Nearly a fifth of people in the Bath area earn less than the national Living Wage. Analysis for the TUC puts the proportion of people on less than £7.65 an hour at 18 per cent. Nearby Kingswood tops the national list of Living Wage blackspots, with 48 per cent of people on less than the benchmark figure which aims to reflect the basic cost of living. For working women the picture is even more bleak, with 56 per cent of women in Kingswood earning less than the Living Wage. The TUC says that in real terms weekly pay in B&NES has gone down by 36 per cent since 2010. The figures have been released to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the introduction of the minimum wage and the second week of the TUC's Fair Pay Fortnight which runs until Sunday. In some parts of the country – mostly in the South East – as few as five per cent of workers are paid less than the Living Wage. TUC regional secretary Nigel Costley said: "Extending the Living Wage is a vital way of tackling the growing problem of in-work poverty across Britain. "Working families are experiencing the biggest pressure on their living standards since Victorian times. Pay has been squeezed at all levels below the boardroom and it's costing the South West's economy dear. "The number of Living Wage employers is growing rapidly and unions are playing their part in encouraging more employers to sign up and pay it – but government must show equal initiative. We need to see a far greater commitment to pay the living wage from government and employers, and modern wages councils which could set higher minimum rates in industries where employers can afford to pay their staff more. "During Fair Pay Fortnight we're asking workers to back our call to MPs to get all political parties to put decent pay at the top of their agendas in the run-up to the election."

Patients will now be able to get all their treatment in one place as the walk-in centre reopens next to the accident and emergency department at the Royal United Hospital. Today is the first day of the new urgent care centre, which offers 24/7 minor injuries treatment at the same site as the out-of-hours doctors and A&E. It is replacing the walk-in centre at Riverside in James Street West and is designed to both save money and offer a more efficient, easier service for people who need care. Lead consultant at A&E Dr Dom Williamson said he hoped it would mean that people were seen by the most appropriate service, perhaps freeing up casualty and getting people back in touch with their GPs. He said: "One of the reasons this service has been developed, is because from our perspective we just want to make sure people are seen by the right person in the right time frame, and that they get that quality care. "It means that patients who do need to be seen in A&E will be, and that those who can be treated at the urgent care centre can be, whichever is appropriate for their condition." There have been concerns that people will find it more difficult to travel up to the RUH, compared to the city centre Riverside site, and that parking may be a problem. However local clinical director Alan Whitmore, from the B&NES Doctors Urgent Care, which has won the contract to run the centre, said they believed they had that under control. He said: "If somebody has got an appointment here there is a drop-off area, and then there is the same parking that everybody else uses. "A lot of people are going to be coming here out-of-hours, so the car parks are not going to be that crowded. "At the moment we don't anticipate huge problems with parking." The £500,000 development comprises of a new building attached to the existing A&E department, and has been completed in a short time frame of just nine months. It will have at least one GP based there at all times, as well as other practitioners including nurses and hospital doctors. Unwell patients are asked to call the 111 non-emergency number, where they will be given advice on what is the most suitable treatment, either their GP, the urgent care centre or A&E. However, the urgent care centre will also be open to people who just turn up at the hospital. In an emergency they should always dial 999.

New urgent care unit at RUH replaces Bath's walk-in centre

Mist and fog are making for difficult driving conditions first thing this morning. Drivers are being warned to take extra care with the fog expected to be dense in some spots before it clears. Once it does we are promised a glorious day with plenty of warm sunshine and temperature reaching 16C. There are no reports of any major hold ups first thing with just the closure of the A431 Kelston Road and temporary lights on Midford Road set to slow your journey. Drivers are being warned to take care on country lanes while looking for alternative routes in and out of Bath following the closure of the A431. People living in Upton Cheyney and Beach are calling for a temporary reduction in the speed limit because increased traffic. Most trains to and from Bath Spa Station are running on time with just the odd delay early on.

The Archbishops' Council has appointed a committee to hear an objection raised by the Bishop's Council of the Diocese of Bath and Wells to a Church Commissioners' decision to move the residence of the diocesan bishop. The committee will meet at the Palace in Wells from April 28-29. It will consider the grounds of objection, and all relevant circumstances, to the Church Commissioners' decision to move the bishop's residence from the Palace in Wells to The Old Rectory in Croscombe. It is for the Commissioners to satisfy the committee that the objection should not be upheld. If it fails to do so then the move will not go ahead. The committee members are all members of the Archbishops' Council: Mrs Mary Chapman (chair), Mr Philip Fletcher and the Ven Cherry Vann. The committee will visit both the Palace and the proposed new house in Croscombe and hear evidence from the Bishop's Council and the Church Commissioners. Both parties may call witnesses. It has also invited the new Bishop of Bath and Wells, Rt Rev Peter Hancock, the Chapter of Wells Cathedral and the Palace Trust to make representations. The meeting will not be open to the public.

Bath pub the Bell Inn which was bought out by its own customers has been named as one of the best pubs in the South West. Last year more than 500 customers raised £600,000 to buy the Bell and save it from being bought by a pub chain. Now, a year after facing an uncertain future, the Bell Inn in Walcot Street has been recognised as one of the best pubs in the region by Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale. The community buyout was backed by musician Robert Plant, Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis and singers Midre Ure and Peter Gabriel. Will Gregory from Goldfrapp, Portishead, The Stranglers, The Wurzels, Clare Teal, Eddie Martin, The Darkness and Bath's rising star Gabrielle Aplin either bought shares or sent messages of support. The customers stepped in to save the Bell when long-time owner Ian Wood put the pub up for sale. And readers of the Bath Chronicle also supported the move by voting it the paper's Pub of the Year last September. Now Camra has recognised its mixture of community spirit and quality food. The Bell Inn will take on the other winners across the region to be named the South West's best local pub and compete to be national pub of the year, announced in early 2015. Colin Valentine, Camra chairman, said, "I would like to thank all of the volunteers that have judged pubs up and down the country. This can take a lot of dedication to find the best real ale pubs in the area." New research shows 28 pubs close every week across Britain and 38 per cent of British adults no longer visit pubs. Community Pubs Month has been launched to help raise the profile of the British pub and pub-going. Mr Valentine said: "There are literally thousands of wonderful pubs that need our support." South West finalists Bath & Borders The Bell, Bath Bristol & District Plough, Congresbury Gloucestershire Salutation, Ham North Cotswold The Plough Inn, Cold Aston North West Wiltshire Three Crowns, Chippenham Swindon and North Wiltshire The Hop Inn, Swindon Cornwall Star Inn, Vogue Exeter & East Devon Pony & Trap, Cullompton North Devon Red Lion, Exbourne Plymouth Fortescue, Plymouth Somerset Ring of Bells, Taunton South Devon Queens Arms, Brixham

Bath's Bell Inn named among best pubs in South West by Camra

Objectors to a vision for the future of the Recreation Ground have welcomed rulings by an independent tribunal. A three-person panel has ordered changes to the way in which the charitable land that is home to Bath Rugby is overseen in future. One of the most significant decisions made by the tribunal is a series of declarations that effectively force the rugby club to develop its planned new stadium on its existing footprint, and are likely to make a land swap arrangement to give the club more acreage at its historic home impossible. But the three local residents who challenged a vision put together by the Charity Commission and the Recreation Ground Trust say it is decisions on the future governance of the land which are equally important. The tribunal - headed by barrister Peter Hinchcliffe - has ruled that Bath and North East Somerset Council should only have one representative on the trust charity which oversees the land on a day to day basis (rather than the current two). It also ruled that the trust - currently chaired by B&NES deputy leader Councillor David Dixon - should be chaired by a non-politician, to reduce the likelihood of a conflict of interest between the local authority and the charity. And the panel criticised what it called 'mismanagement' by the trust which it said had adversely affected its income since 2002. The tribunal was called into action because of objections from the chair of the Pulteney Estate Residents' Association, Nigel Websper, Bathwick resident Jack Sparrow and Rosemary Carne, who lives near the Rec. Mr Websper said he was pleased they had been given a fair hearing. "It is clear that there has been a number of breaches of trust by the trustees of the Recreation Ground in relation to the arrangements entered into with Bath Rugby and in connection with the ongoing management of the Recreation Trust. These breaches of trust have resulted in actual losses for the Recreation Trust and have provided significant financial benefit to Bath Rugby which is a commercial entity. An example of this is the ''below market'' rent charged to Bath Rugby by the Recreation Trust under the 1995 lease. The amendments to the scheme specified in the judgment are intended to sort out the historic problems with how the charitable trust of the Recreation Ground has been managed by B&NES and to provide a platform for this charitable land to be managed properly within the constraints of charity law going forward. This judgment is not about Bath Rugby per se but is instead about putting a scheme in place to allow this charitable land to be managed properly, within the law, and as originally intended." The tribunal ruled: "The position of B&NES as the continuing trustee after the point at which the trust was found to be charitable, as the operator of the leisure centre on the charity's land and as a local authority supportive of the successful rugby club in Bath presented real conflicts of interest." It said the trust had failed to carry out rent reviews when they becamse due under the club's 1995 lease, adding: "This has left the charity short of funds and with limited options." Ms Carne said Mr Hinchcliffe had made it clear that the trustees had failed in their duties. "The decision elements announced ensure the new trustees - with reduced B&NES Council involvement - are able to manage the charitable trust of The Rec appropriately going forward and desist from aligning their activities with the commercial plans of one sport. He has further charged them with negotiating and collecting monies owed, to put The Rec Trust on a secure financial basis for the good of all beneficiaries: the people of Bath."

Objectors welcome tribunal decisions on future of Recreation Ground

Network Rail has launched a five-year, £38 billion investment plan which includes meeting a tough punctuality target after it failed to reach the target set for 2009 to 2014. Network Rail was expected to run 92.5 per cent of trains on time in the five years to the end of March 2014, but the company only reached a figure of around 90 per cent. This means it could face a fine from the Office of Rail Regulation of up to £70 million, although the five-year period has included heavy snow, severe storms and floods. Network Rail's punctuality target for 2014 to 2019 is also 92.5 per cent. An NR spokeswoman said: "Missing our regulatory targets for punctuality is disappointing and our focus for the coming five-year period is to restore record levels of performance and spend and invest some £38 billion in our railways targeting the busiest parts of our network to relieve congestion and provide more trains, more seats and quicker, greener journeys." Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "A key part of this Government's long-term economic plan is investing in world-class infrastructure. That is why we are putting record amounts of Government funding into our railways over the next five years. "That investment will generate growth, create jobs and boost business while delivering faster journeys, greater comfort and better punctuality for passengers across the UK." Meanwhile, NR's new chief executive, Mark Carne, hinted in The Independent yesterday that pay for senior staff would be reined in following an outcry over bonuses at the company. Mr Carne said he would take executive pay proposals to NR's annual meeting in July, adding "We need to ensure that we hire good people who are well paid, not overpaid." NR also announced yesterday that the storm-wrecked railway line at Dawlish in Devon will re-open as planned at the end of this week. The coast-hugging stretch of line was first severely damaged in the savage winter storms and then damaged again in another violent storm on February 14. With the line shut and round-the-clock work going on to bring it back into service, a massive landslip, involving the collapse of 20,000 tonnes of cliff-face near Teignmouth on March 4, had threatened the planned re-opening. But NR confirmed that the re-opening – on Friday – was going ahead. Mr Carne said: "Dawlish has shown us at our best when we work in a planned, disciplined and innovative way. "Our aim is to emulate that approach and embed it in our organisation so that we are continuously improving the service for our customers." Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers' union Aslef, said the £38 billion investment ''only keeps us standing still". He went on: "The truth is that, after 20 years of privatisation, things aren't getting better. That's why opinion poll after opinion poll shows that most people – including most Conservative voters – in this country want our fragmented railways brought back into public ownership so we can run a properly integrated public service. It's time to build a better railway for everyone in Britain." Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) chief executive Richard Price said: ''Network Rail – working with ORR, the Government, the rail industry, customers and members of the public – has developed a comprehensive multi-billion-pound plan detailing how it will achieve a better railway for Britain. "Now it is time for the company, in collaboration with the industry, to make it happen. "ORR will be scrutinising progress closely to ensure plans for extra capacity, expanding and electrifying the railway, improving train punctuality, enhancing the resilience of our rail network to severe weather, closing level crossings and increasing workforce safety are effectively delivered. "Success will make a massive difference."

From coastal erosion to impacts on agriculture, the West Country will be in the front line as the effects of climate change are felt more widely, experts predicted yesterday. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed in its latest major report that the world is in "an era of man-made climate change" that has already seen impacts of global warming on every continent. In the South West everyone from coastal landowners, faced with increasingly severe storms to farmers encouraged to step up production to cope with demand while reducing environmental impacts, is being encouraged to respond to the report and adjust their behaviour. But South West members of the Green Party have reacted angrily to what they call the "increasing divergence" between scientific evidence of the impact of climate change and the Government response. Molly Scott Cato, lead candidate for the Green Party in the European Elections, said: "We never really expected the Conservatives to take the issue of climate change seriously. They're far too inter ested in defending their carbon-related assets and those of their City friends. "However, it's the performance of the Liberal Democrats that's particularly disappointing. Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey's allowed a disastrous reversal of the pathway towards a lower-carbon future. The removal of the incentives for low energy businesses and renewable electricity generation in the recent budget are the nail in the coffin for this Con-Dem Government's green credentials." Mark Kenber, chief executive of the Climate Group, which works with governments, business and organisations to drive action on climate change, said: "The latest report from the IPCC makes for sobering reading. From Asia's most dynamic and growing cities to Arctic shipping lanes, the effects of climate change will leave no nation untouched and have profound impacts on the global economy. The IPCC report needs to act as a wake-up call. The 'head in the sand' approach is a ticket to failure. Businesses that refuse to adapt are sealing their own fate and putting communities and investors at risk. They're also wantonly squandering the massive opportunities in low carbon growth." The call to cut emissions has been backed by Lord Stern, author of review on the economics of clim ate change, who warned there was a need to avoid "potentially catastrophic" impacts of rising temperatures. Lord Stern, who is chairman of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics, said: "This comprehensive report lays out very clearly the evidence that climate change is already having many impacts across the world, including effects on human deaths from extremely hot or cold weather, crop yields, the availability of water from shrinking glaciers, and the distribution of plant and animal species."

Farming and coasts to be hit as climate change gains pace, says IPCC report

A small explosion from underneath the pavement in Avon Street in Bath has resulted in a fire outside a city centre shop. The sound of a loud bang and a "fizzing" noise was heard at around 8.20am and onlookers saw the force of the explosion had lifted one of the manhole covers. Luckily no-one was walking on that section of pavement at the time and nobody has been injured. It happened outside the Sally hair and beauty shop on the corner with James Street West and smoke and flames could be seen coming from underground. BID rangers and City of Bath College security staff were first on the scene. The fire brigade cordoned off part of Avon Street and police community support officers directed traffic around the closure. The fire was caused by an underground electrical fault. An Avon Fire and Rescue spokesman said firefighters had used a CO2 extinguisher on the flames. There was a minor incident when a passing bus collided with the side of one of the fire engines, while trying to get past the closure. It then drove off without stopping. However, the Avon Fire and Rescue spokesman said this had not caused any problems. A Western Power Distribution spokeswoman said the fire had meant seven customers had lost power. She said: "It was caused by an underground cable fault and the scale of the loud bang was because it happened in an enclosed space. "Once the fire brigade have finished at the scene our engineers will work on repairing the fault and we hope to have the seven customers reconnected by the end of the morning." Avon Fire and Rescue have now left the scene and engineers are on site digging up the pavement to access the cable and fix the fault.

Small explosion lifts manhole cover in Bath city centre

Objectors to a proposal to build new homes on Bath and Keynsham's green belt are being given the opportunity to have their views heard as the next round of public hearings get under way. Planning inspector Simon Emerson has resumed the inquiry into Bath and North East Somerset Council's core strategy, which is the blueprint for development across the area over the coming years. Campaigners are opposed to a number of elements of the core strategy which suggests moving the green belt boundary to allow houses to be built on previously protected fields. Last week's hearings took place at Bath Rugby and from today they will be held in the Banqueting Room of the Guildhall. Today's hearing will be looking at the proposals for the land between Odd Down and South Stoke, with a number of key groups expected to make representations, including the Bath Preservation Trust, Combe Hay Parish Council and the South of Bath Alliance. Tomorrow it will move on to Weston, before it is the turn of Keynsham on Thursday. This latest round of hearings is expected to end next Thursday. The campaign group the Friends of Breaches Gate, which is opposed to development on land between Keynsham and Saltford, will be at the inquiry on Thursday to outline its arguments. Bob Elcome, from the group, said they wanted to protect wildlife, the "tranquillity" of the countryside, and prevent extra traffic clogging up the already congested A4. He said: "Our generation has a wide range of responsibilities. "We have to ensure that there is adequate development of housing, schools, and all the other needs the future generations need. "But, and it is a big but, we also have the responsibility to ensure that future generations benefit from the wise planning and legislation that give us green belts and not remove them without need or care." B&NES Council has defended its core strategy by saying it has no choice but to proposed green belt development because it needs to provide affordable housing for future generations. People can find out more by going to www.bathnes.gov.uk and clicking on the core strategy section.

Bath and Keynsham green belt campaigners to appear at core strategy hearings

It's an interesting one tonight as Channel 4 premier their new period drama, New Worlds. Set in the 1680s, it's the sequel to the 2008 English civil war miniseries The Devil's Whore, also co-created by Martine Brant and Peter Flannery. The BBC and ITV could really learn a thing or two from Channel 4's period dramas.

Like The Devil's Whore before it, New Worlds focuses on a period of history often romanticised. In this instance it's the age of Charles II and the end of Cromwellian austerity. Taking place on both sides of the Atlantic we see a Britain ruled by the iron hand of Charles II and a culture of fear. Meanwhile across the pond we see people settling down and building the Republic that would become the United States of America, however this dream is undermined by knowledge that the new world is being built on land stolen from the Native Americans.

The drama pulls no punches but you can't help but feel that the whole thing might end up being undermined by it's four episode run time. If this was put out on American television it would surely have at least 20 episodes under it's belt, as the source material is much more suited to a longer narrative.

This not to damn New Worlds before it starts, having a shorter run time means the storylines can be shorter sharper shocks. After all, it's not as if we have no point of reference on the historical events that are to be covered. Land grabbing, issues of civil rights and massive inequality between the rich and poor are all subject of much discussion as we speak.

As with The Devil's Whore there's a real sense of Channel 4 trying and succeeding to do something of real artistic merit and from what I've seen the performances and scripting look solid across the board. I missed The Devil's Whore the first around and had to one of those people catching up on 4OD. Don't be that person by making sure you tune into New Worlds, it looks well worth a watch.

Prop Charlie Beech is to leave Bath Rugby to join Green King IPA Championship side Leeds Carnegie on a permanent basis. The loosehead has been on loan at the Yorkshire outfit since last October and has now signed a full-time deal at Headingley. Beech, 26, joined Bath from Aviva Premiership rivals Wasps in 2011 and made 41 appearances for the club but found his starting opportunities limited. His time at Leeds this season has been prosperous, with the Yorkshiremen currently lying fourth in the league. Beech said: "I'll look back on my three years at Bath with very fond memories. It was a great place for me to develop and now I look forward to getting stuck in with Leeds." Bath forwards coach Neal Hatley added: "It's been hard for Charlie to get valuable game time with Paul James and Nathan Catt being in such consistently good form. "He's a very talented young prop who I believe will flourish at Leeds with more matches under his belt. We wish him all the best."

Prop Charlie Beech to leave Bath Rugby after agreeing permanent deal at Leeds Carnegie

More than 800 people in Bath are cheating on their partner, according to a dating website. And just down the road in racy Trowbridge almost 750 are currently having an extra-marital affair, claims Illicit Encounters. The site's Infidelity Index also claims more people are being unfaithful in Frome than Midsomer Norton while Bradford on Avon seems to be home to the happiest marriages. Illicit Encounters is a dating website set up for people looking for an affair who want to stay with their long-term partner. And according its Infidelity Index Maidenhead in Berkshire is the Britain's Capital of Infidelity with just over two per cent playing away. For what it is worth here are the figures from the Infidelity Index: Bath 845 Trowbridge 746 Frome 397 Westbury 317 Midsomer Norton 304 Bradford on Avon 133

Lansdown Golf Club's first seniors medal attracted 70 members and saw some excellent scoring. John Dinning led the way with a nett 64, with Clive Godfrey a shot back. Rod Thomas came third with 66, pushing Bill Rose into fourth spot on countback. On 67 were Tim Rickards and Terry Corbett with a score that might have won on less competitive days. Some seniors played a nine-hole competition, which saw victory for Alan Wheeler with 21 points. He was three shots clear of Rob Law, while George Harold claimed third spot with 17. Val McFarlane won the Seventy Bowl and Macmillan Cancer Spoon with 38 points – one ahead of last year's lady captain, Cheryl King. Third place went to Julie Abbott with 35 but only on countback from Shirley Gooding. The ladies stableford was won in impressive style by junior Amelia Matthews, whose outstanding 41-point haul put her five shots clear of McFarlane. Lady captain Jo Francis-Pope was third with 35, on countback from Jane Belsten. Gerry Melksham scored his first hole-in-one on Saturday when his sweetly-struck nine-iron shot aced the par three 12th. Lansdown welcomed the Gloucestershire 1st and 2nd teams for the Shoots Stick, an annual match that acts as a warm-up for the season. The 1sts won 401 and their captain, Dave Wood, thanked Lansdown for their hospitality. Special thanks went to head greenkeeper and 2nd team stalwart, Paul Garland and his team on the wonderful condition of the course so early in the season. The county will open their season against Worcestershire. The club is always pleased to welcome new people to the club so if anyone wanting to play the course, become a member or take some lessons should contact Terry Mercer on 01225 422138.

John Dinning leads way in opening seniors' medal at Lansdown Golf Club