Heritage sites – including some run by Bath & North East Somerset Council – will be opening their doors and inviting residents and visitors to explore their unique attractions in mid-September.

A wide range of events and activities will take place in the museums, galleries and heritage sites of Bath and North East Somerset, and at least 20 sites will be opening their doors to the public from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 September to celebrate Heritage Open Days 2013.

Visitors can see inside a complete Georgian house with restored garden and how it is being used now at No. 4 The Circus, Bath.

Discover what happens to your recycled waste during a guided tour at the May Gurney Recycling Depot in Keynsham and investigate the equipment used in historical spas with the St John’s local history store on the Upper Bristol Road, Bath, and the archaeology store on Pixash Lane, near the Recycling Centre in Keynsham.

Archaeology store in Pixash Lane.

A wide variety of sites will open across the area providing local residents with access to places they cannot usually explore and giving them the chance to learn more about their local heritage.

Councillor Ben Stevens (Lib-Dem, Widcombe), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to support Heritage Open Days and celebrate our unique places and beautiful surroundings which help create neighbourhoods where people are proud to live.”

Heritage Open Days 2013 includes the opportunity to explore:

• No 4 The Circus, Bath (Friday 13 September; 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm):

See inside this beautiful house and restored Georgian garden – the first of its kind in Britain.

• St John’s Store, Upper Bristol Road, Bath (Saturday 14 September; 11am-3pm):

Marvel at the range of historical spa equipment, read the original Victorian spa treatment visitor’s book and take a seat in a sedan chair. There will also be a trail for children and a special display of postcards as well as furniture by local craftsmen.

• May Gurney Recycling Depot, Ashmead Lane, Keynsham (Saturday 14 September; 10am-2pm):

Visit behind the scenes to see what happens to your recycling after collection from your home. Discover how Bath & North East Somerset Council’s recycling trucks work and learn about how the items you put in your green boxes, blue bags and food waste containers are sorted for recycling. Guided tours only – places are limited so please book in advance with Council Connect on 01225 394041. This is a working site so visitors must wear sturdy enclosed shoes and bring wet weather clothing.

• Pixash Lane Archaeology Store, Keynsham (Thursday 12 September, 10am-2pm):

Roman mosaics

Explore archaeological finds from Combe Down Stone Mines and Keynsham including the Roman mosaics and Abbey stonework.

Please note that all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at these events.

For more details of Heritage Open Days 2013, including listings and the online leaflet please visit Bath & North East Somerset Council’s websitewww.bathnes.gov.uk/heritageevents or pick up a leaflet in your local library.

For the latest up to date news and information from the Council follow its Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bathnes

For more information about Heritage Open Days visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.

Director’s Notes:

• Heritage Open Days is England’s contribution to European Heritage Days, taking place across 50 countries. Other events in the UK are Doors Open Days in Scotland (www.doorsopendays.org.uk); Open Doors Days in Wales (www.civictrustwales.org); European Heritage Days in Northern Ireland (www.ehsni.gov.uk); Open House London (www.open-city.org.uk).

• Heritage Open Days is run locally by a large range of organisations (including civic societies, heritage organisations, and local councils), community champions and thousands of volunteers.

Conservative councillors in Keynsham have called for a ‘complete re-think’ over a proposed public art project planned as part of the town centre redevelopment.

They think the Council needs to listen to public feedback and go back to the drawing board on the current proposals.

The calls come after the results of a public consultation undertaken in August revealed that only a tiny fraction of respondents were supportive of the sculpture’s current design.

Of the 107 responses to the consultation only 14 people said they either liked or really liked the design, with 50 saying they disliked the design and the remaining 43 either unsure or had no strong opinion either way.

In light of the public’s response, Conservative councillors have urged Lib Dem-run B&NES to call a temporary halt to the project and come up with new design options.  They have said the Council should instead concentrate on bringing forward design proposals for a new clock in the town centre.

Keynsham councillor Brian Simmons (Cons, Keynsham North), said:

“It’s clear from the public’s reaction so far and the results of the consultation that the art project’s current design is not popular amongst most residents.

“B&NES needs to listen to this feedback and have a complete rethink of this art project.  They should go back to the drawing board and come back with options taking on board the comments made by the public.

“One of the main things people have said throughout the town centre redevelopment is that they would like to see a new Town Clock to replace the old clock tower.  Rather than spending more money on a controversial art project, the Council should consider putting this towards bringing forward designs for a new clock instead.  If there is money left over, they can then look at an additional art feature as well.”

Director’s Note:

Apparently, the consultation on the proposed design for the public art project was undertaken between the 5th and 16th August 2013, with the designs on display in Keynsham Library and Keynsham Town Council window.

Feedback slips were collected on 19^th August 2013. The results of the consultation were as follows:

A total of 107 slips were received of which:

Really Like: 14, neither like nor dislike 13, unsure 30 and dislike 50.

One would suggest that very few of the people of Keynsham actually bothered to have any say over the matter at all.

Why is nothing being done to properly reflect Keynsham’s illustrious past? Roman and mediaeval or why not just restore the word “SOMERDALE” before it disappears completely from the side of the railway embankment.