Bath and North East Somerset
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{{Infobox UK district
|name = Bath and North East Somerset District
|image = [[Image:Bath and North East Somerset in England.png|200px]]
|status = [[Unitary Authority|Unitary district]]
|region = [[South West England]]
|admincounty = [[Somerset]]
|area = [[List of English districts by area|Ranked 137th]]<br>[[1 E8 m²|351.12]] [[square kilometre|km²]]
|adminhq = [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]
|onscode = 00HA
|population = [[List of English districts by population|Ranked {{English district rank|ONS=00HA}}]]<br>{{English district population|ONS=00HA}}<br>{{English district density|ONS=00HA}} / km²
|ethnicity = 95.0% White<br>1.6% Chinese and other<br>1.3% S.Asian<br>0.9% Black British<br>1.3% Mixed Race
|politics = Bath and North East Somerset Council<br>http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/
|leadership = Leader & Cabinet
|executive = {{English district control|ONS=00HA}}
|mayor =
|mp = [[Donald Foster (politician)|Don Foster]] [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|(LD)]]<br>[[Dan Norris]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|year = 2005
}}
'''Bath and North East Somerset''' (commonly referred to as '''BANES''' or '''B&NES''') is a [[unitary authority]] that was created on [[1 April]] [[1996]] following the abolition of the [[County of Avon]]. It is part of the [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]] of [[Somerset]].
Bath and North East Somerset covers an area of {{convert|220|sqmi|km2|0|lk=on}}, of which two thirds is [[Green belt (UK)|green belt]]. It stretches from the outskirts of [[Bristol]], south into the [[Mendip Hills]] and east to the southern [[Cotswold Hills]] and [[Wiltshire]] border. The city of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] is the principal settlement in the district, but BANES also covers [[Keynsham]], [[Midsomer Norton]], [[Radstock]] and the [[Chew Valley]].
The area has varied geography including river valleys and rolling hills. The history of human habitation is long but expanded massively during [[Roman Britain|Roman times]], and played significant roles in the [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] era and [[English civil war]]. Industry developed from a largely agricultural basis to include [[coal mining]] with the coming of [[canals]] and [[railways]]. Bath developed as a spa resort in [[Georgian era|Georgian]] times and remains a major cultural tourism centre having gained [[World Heritage City]] status.
==History==
Although BANES was only created in 1996 the area it covers has been occupied for thousands of years. The age of the [[henge monument]] at [[Stanton Drew stone circles]] is unknown, but is believed to be from the [[Neolithic]] period,<ref>{{cite web | title=Stanton Drew Stone Circles | work=English Heritage Archeometry | url=http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/archaeometry/StantonDrew/ | accessdate=2006-07-08}}</ref> as is the chambered [[tomb]] known as [[Stoney Littleton Long Barrow]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stonepages.com/england/stoneylittleton.html |title=Stoney Littleton |accessdate=2008-03-15 |format= |work=Stones of England }}</ref> [[Solsbury Hill]] has an [[Iron Age]] [[hill fort]].
[[Image:Roman Baths in Bath Spa, England - July 2006.jpg|thumb|left|The Great Bath at the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]]. The entire structure above the level of the pillar bases is a later reconstruction.]]
The archaeological evidence shows that the site of the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]]' main spring was treated as a shrine by the [[Celt]]s,<ref name="somersettourguide">{{cite web |url=http://www.somersettouristguide.com/Bath/The_Roman_Baths_722.asp |title=The Roman Baths |accessdate=2007-11-01 |format= |work=Somerset Tourist Guide }}</ref> and was dedicated to the goddess [[Sulis]], whom the [[Roman mythology|Roman]]s identified with [[Minerva]]; however, the name Sulis continued to be used after the Roman invasion, leading to Bath's [[List of Roman place names in Britain|Roman name]] of ''[[Aquae Sulis]]'' (literally, "the waters of Sulis").
Excavations carried out before the flooding of [[Chew Valley Lake]] also uncovered Roman remains, indicating agricultural and industrial activity from the second half of the first century until the third century AD. The finds included a moderately large [[Roman villa|villa]] at Chew Park,<ref name="SCCarcheol">{{cite web | title=Mendip Hills An Archaeological Survey of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | work=Somerset County Council Archaeological Projects | url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/896B4/MendipAONB.pdf | accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> where wooden writing tablets (the first in the UK) with ink writing were found. There is also evidence from the [[Pagans Hill Roman Temple]] at [[Chew Stoke]],<ref>{{cite book | author = Ross, Lesley (Ed.)| year = 2004 | title = Before the Lake: Memories of the Chew Valley | publisher = The Harptree Historic Society | id=ISBN 0-9548832-0-9 }}</ref> <ref name="hucker">{{cite book | author = Hucker, Ernest| year = 1997 | title = Chew Stoke Recalled in Old Photographs | publisher = Ernest Hucker | id = }}</ref> and a villa at [[Keynsham]].
The Saxon advance from the east seems to have been halted by battles between the British and Saxons, for example; at the siege of Badon [[Mons Badonicus]] (which may mave been in the Bath region eg at [[Solsbury Hill]]),<ref>{{cite web | title=Roman Times | work=Britannia | url=http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/somhist3.html|accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref> or [[Bathampton Down]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The hidden places of Somerset |last=Scott |first=Shane |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1995 |publisher=Travel Publishing Ltd |location=Aldermaston |isbn=1902007018 |pages=16 }}</ref> This area became the border between the [[Romano-British]] [[Celt]]s and the [[Anglo-Saxons|West Saxons]] following the [[Battle of Deorham]] in 577 AD.<ref name="ASC577">''The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', [http://britannia.com/history/docs/501-97.html 501-97 AD].
</ref> The Western [[Wansdyke (earthwork)|Wandsdyke]] was probably built during the 5th or 6th century. The ditch is on the north side, so presumably it was used by the [[Celts]] as a defence against [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxons]] encroaching from the upper [[Thames valley]]. According to the [[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]], the Saxon [[Cenwalh of Wessex|Cenwalh]] achieved a breakthrough against the [[Brython|British]] Celtic tribes, with victories at [[Bradford-on-Avon]] (in the ''Avon Gap'' in the Wansdyke) in 652 AD.<ref name="ASC652">''The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', [http://britannia.com/history/docs/645-56.html 645-56 AD]</ref> In 675, [[Osric of the Hwicce|Osric]], King of the [[Hwicce]], set up a monastic house at Bath, probably using the walled area as its precinct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timetravel-britain.com/05/April/bathtime.shtml |title=Timeline Bath |accessdate=2007-12-10 |format= |work=Time Travel Britain }}</ref> [[Offa of Mercia|King Offa]] of [[Mercia]] gained control of this monastery in 781 and rebuilt the church, which was dedicated to [[St. Peter]].<ref name="Poliquin">{{cite web|title=Bath Abbey|url=http://www.uquebec.ca/musique/orgues/angleterre/batha.html#English | work=Robert Poliquin's Music and Musicians| publisher=Quebec University | accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> In the ninth century the old Roman street pattern had been lost and it had become a royal possession, with [[Alfred the Great|King Alfred]] laying out the town afresh, leaving its south-eastern quadrant as the abbey precinct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buildinghistory.org/bath/saxon/alfredsborough.htm |title=Alfreds Borough |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Bath Past }}</ref> [[Edgar of England]] was crowned king of England in [[Bath Abbey]] in 973.<ref name="Edgar">{{cite web |url=http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/saxon_12.htm |title=Edgar the Peaceful |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=English Monarchs – Kings and Queens of England }}</ref>
[[Image:060529-17-BathAbbey.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bath Abbey]].]]
King [[William Rufus]] granted the city to a royal physician, [[John of Tours]], who became Bishop of [[Wells]] and Abbot of Bath in 1088.<ref name="Powicke">{{cite book | last= Powicke | first= Maurice | authorlink= F. M. Powicke | year= 1939 | title= Handbook of British Chronology | pages= | isbn= 0901050172}}</ref> It was papal policy for bishops to move to more urban seats, and he translated his own from Wells to Bath.<ref name=Huscroft128>Huscroft ''Ruling England'' p. 128</ref> He planned and began a much larger church as his cathedral, to which was attached a priory, with the bishop's palace beside it.<ref name="Powicke"/> New baths were built around the three springs. Later bishops, however, returned the episcopal seat to Wells, while retaining the name of Bath in their title as the [[Bishop of Bath and Wells]]. The priory at [[Hinton Charterhouse]] was founded in 1232 by Ela, Countess of Salisbury who also founded [[Lacock Abbey]].<ref name="scott">{{cite book |title=The hidden places of Somerset |last=Scott |first=Shane |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1995 |publisher=Travel Publishing Ltd |location=Aldermaston |isbn=1902007018 |pages=18-19 }}</ref>
By the 15th century, Bath's abbey church was badly dilapidated and in need of repairs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://visitbath.co.uk/site/things_to_do/p_24001 |title=Bath Abbey |accessdate=2007-12-10 |format= |work=Visit Bath }}</ref> [[Oliver King]], [[Bishop of Bath and Wells]], decided in 1500 to rebuild it on a smaller scale. The new church was completed just a few years before Bath Priory was [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolved]] in 1539 by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecityofbath.co.uk/renaissance_bath.htm |title=Renaissance Bath |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=City of Bath }}</ref> The abbey church was allowed to become derelict before being restored as the city's parish church in the [[Elizabethan period]], when the city revived as a [[spa]]. The [[Roman Baths (Bath)|baths]] were improved and the city began to attract the aristocracy. Bath was granted [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|city status]] by [[Royal Charter]] by Queen [[Elizabeth I]] in [[1590]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecityofbath.co.uk/civic_insignia.htm |title=Civic Insignia |accessdate=2007-12-10 |format= |work=City of Bath }}</ref> [[Keynsham]], said to be named after [[Saint Keyne]], developed into a medieval market town, its growth prompted by the foundation of an influential and prosperous [[abbey]], founded by the Victorine order of [[Augustinian]] monks founded around 1170. It survived until the [[dissolution of the monasteries]] in 1539 and a house was built on the site. The remains have been designated as grade I [[listed building]] by [[English Heritage]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Keynsham Abbey | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=485012 | accessdate=2007-07-18}}</ref> The town was the site of a battle between royalist forces and the rebel [[Duke of Monmouth]].
During the [[English Civil War]], Somerset, which was largely [[Parliamentarian]], was the site of a number of important battles between the [[Cavalier|Royalists]] and the [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Battles and Generals of the Civil Wars |last=Rodgers |first= Colonel H.C.B.|authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1968 |publisher=Seeley Service & Co. |location= |isbn= }}</ref> The [[Battle of Lansdowne]] was fought on [[July 5]] [[1643]] on the northern outskirts of the city.<ref>{{cite book |title=Battles and Generals of the Civil Wars |last=Rodgers |first= Colonel H.C.B.|authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1968 |publisher=Seeley Service & Co. |location= |isbn= }}</ref>
In 1668 [[Thomas Guidott]], who had been a student of chemistry and medicine at [[Wadham College]] [[Oxford]], moved to Bath and set up practice. He became interested in the curative properties of the waters and in 1676 he wrote ''A discourse of Bathe, and the hot waters there. Also, Some Enquiries into the Nature of the water''. This brought the health-giving properties of the hot mineral waters to the attention of the country and soon the aristocracy started to arrive to partake in them.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Burns |first=D. Thorburn |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= 1981|month= |title=Thomas Guidott (1638–1705): Physician and Chymist, contributor to the analysis of mineral waters |journal= Analytical Proceedings including Analytical Communications: Royal Society of Chemistry |volume=18 |issue= |pages=2–6 |doi=10.1039/AP9811800002 |url=http://www.rsc.org/publishing/journals/article.asp?doi=AP9811800002 |accessdate= 2007-12-10 |quote= }}</ref> Several areas of the city underwent development during the [[House of Stuart|Stuart]] period, and this increased during [[Georgian period|Georgian]] times in response to increasing numbers of people visiting the spa and resort town and requiring accommodation.<ref>{{cite book |title=The English Spa, 1560-1815: A Social History |last=Hembury |first=Phylis May |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1990 |publisher=Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press |location= |isbn=0838633919 }}</ref> The architects [[John Wood the Elder|John Wood the elder]] and his son [[John Wood, the Younger|John Wood the younger]] laid out the new quarters in streets and squares, the identical facades of which gave an impression of palatial scale and classical decorum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bathmuseum.co.uk/biography.htm |title=John Wood and the Creation of Georgian Bath |accessdate=2007-12-08 |format= |work=Building of Bath Museum }}</ref> The creamy gold of [[Bath stone]] further unified the city, much of it obtained from the [[limestone]] [[Combe Down and Bathampton Down Mines]], which were owned by [[Ralph Allen]] (1694–1764).<ref name="rabiog">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathpostalmuseum.co.uk/explore/biographies/ralphallen.html |title=Ralph Allen Biography |accessdate=2007-12-08 |format= |work=Bath Postal Museum }}</ref> Allen, in order to advertise the quality of his quarried limestone, commissioned the elder John Wood to build him a country house on his [[Prior Park]] estate between the city and the mines.<ref name="rabiog"/>
[[Image:Pensford and Viaduct.jpg|thumb|Arial photo of [[Pensford]] with the viaduct in the foreground]]
In north Somerset, around [[Radstock]] mining in the [[Somerset coalfield]] was an important industry, and in an effort to reduce the cost of transporting the coal the [[Somerset Coal Canal]] was built; part of it was later converted into a railway.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rivers and Canals | work=Somerset County Council: History of Somerset | url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/ASH/Rivers.htm|accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref> It connected to the [[Kennet and Avon Canal]] which linked the [[River Thames]] at [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] and the [[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]] at [[Bristol]], joining the River Avon at Bath via [[Bath Locks]]. The [[Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway]] connected Bath and [[Bournemouth]]. It was jointly operated by the [[Midland Railway]] and the [[London and South Western Railway]] (L&SWR). After the [[Railways Act 1921|1 January 1923 Grouping]] joint ownership of the S&D passed to the [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway|LMS]] and the [[Southern Railway (Great Britain)|Southern Railway]].<ref name=awdry-237>[[Christopher Awdry|Awdry, Christopher]] (1990). ''Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies''. Partick Stephens Ltd. Page 237.</ref><ref name=casserley>Casserley, H.C. (1968). ''Britain's Joint Lines''. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0024-7.</ref> The area was also served by the [[Bristol and North Somerset Railway]] that connected [[Bristol]] with towns in the [[Somerset coalfield]]. The line was opened in 1873 between Bristol and [[Radstock]], where it joined with an earlier freight only line from [[Frome railway station|Frome]]. The biggest civil engineering project on the line was the [[Pensford]] Viaduct over the [[River Chew]]. The viaduct is 995 feet long, reaches a maximum height of 95 feet to rail level and consists of 16 arches. It is now a Grade II [[listed building]]. Freight services on the branch line ceased in 1951. The line achieved some fame after closure by its use in the film [[The Titfield Thunderbolt]], but the track was taken up in 1958.
During [[World War II]], between the evening of [[25 April]] and the early morning of [[27 April]] [[1942]], Bath suffered three air raids in reprisal for [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] raids on the [[Germany|German]] cities of [[Lübeck]] and [[Rostock]]. The three raids formed part of the [[Luftwaffe]] campaign popularly known as the [[Baedeker Blitz]]; over 400 people were killed, and more than 19,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcrescentbath.com/HistoryBathatWar.htm |title=History - Bath at War |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=Royal Crescent Society, Bath }}</ref> Houses in the [[Royal Crescent]], [[The Circus (Bath)|Circus]] and [[Paragon]] were burnt out along with the Assembly Rooms, while the south side of [[Queen Square (Bath)|Queen Square]] was destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcrescentbath.com/HistoryRoyalCrescent%202.htm#The_Day_Bombs_fell_on_Bath |title=Royal Crescent History: The Day Bombs fell on Bath |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=Royal Crescent Society, Bath }}</ref> All have since been reconstructed.
The River Chew suffered a major flood in 1968 with serious damage to towns and villages along its route, including [[Chew Stoke]], [[Chew Magna]], [[Stanton Drew (village)|Stanton Drew]], [[Publow]], [[Woollard]], [[Compton Dando]] and [[Chewton Keynsham]]. The flood even swept away the bridge at [[Pensford]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The great flood of 1968 | work=Memories of Bristol | url=http://weldgen.tripod.com/the-great-flood-1968/index.html | accessdate=2006-01-04}}</ref>
==Geography==
Bath and North East Somerset covers an area of {{convert|220|sqmi|km2|0|lk=on}}, of which two thirds is [[green belt]]. It stretches from the outskirts of [[Bristol]], south into the [[Mendip Hills]] and east to the southern [[Cotswold Hills]] and [[Wiltshire]] border.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathnes/leisureandculture/tourismandtravel/areainformation/default.htm |title=About the area |accessdate=2007-12-30 |format= |work=Bath and North East Somerset Council }}</ref> Surrounding local government areas include Bristol, [[North Somerset]], [[Somerset]], [[South Gloucestershire]], and Wiltshire.
The city of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] is the principal settlement in the district, but BANES also covers [[Keynsham]], [[Midsomer Norton]], [[Radstock]] and the [[Chew Valley]]. Bath lies on the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]] and its tributaries such as the [[River Chew]] and [[Midford Brook]] cross the area.
In the west of the area the Chew Valley consists of the valley of the River Chew and is generally low-lying and undulating. It is bounded by higher ground ranging from [[Dundry Down]] to the north, the [[Lulsgate Plateau]] to the west, the [[Mendip Hills]] to the south and the [[Hinton Blewett]], [[Marksbury]] and [[Newton Saint Loe]] plateau areas to the east. The River Chew was dammed in the 1950s to create [[Chew Valley Lake]], which provides [[drinking water]] for the nearby city of [[Bristol]] and surrounding areas. The lake is a prominent landscape feature of the valley, a focus for recreation, and is internationally recognised for its [[nature conservation]] interest, because of the bird species, plants and insects.
To the north of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] are [[Lansdown, Bath|Lansdown]], Langridge and [[Solsbury Hill|Solsbury]] hills. These are outliers of the [[Cotswolds]].
==Governance==
[[Historic counties of England|Historically]] part of the county of [[Somerset]], Bath was made a [[county borough]] in 1889 so being independent of the newly created [[Administrative counties of England|administrative]] Somerset [[county council]], which covered the rest of B&NES.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Keane |first=Patrick |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= |month= |title=An English County and Education: Somerset, 1889-1902 |journal=The English Historical Review |volume=88 |issue=347 |pages=286–311 |id= |url= |accessdate= 2007-12-09 |quote= }}</ref> The area that would become B&NES became part of [[Avon (county)|Avon]] when that [[non-metropolitan county]] was created in 1974. Since the abolition of Avon in 1996, Bath has been the main centre of the [[unitary authority]] of Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), one of the four authorities that replaced Avon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19950493_en_1.htm |title=The Avon (Structural Change) Order 1995 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=HMSO }}</ref>
Before the [[Reform Act 1832|Reform Act]] of 1832 Bath elected two members to the [[unreformed House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.election.demon.co.uk/prereform.html |title=Parliamentary Constituencies in the unreformed House |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=United Kingdom Election Results }}</ref> Bath now has a single [[Bath (UK Parliament constituency)|parliamentary constituency]], with [[Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] [[Donald Foster (politician)|Don Foster]] as [[Member of Parliament]]. The rest of the area falls within the [[Wansdyke (UK Parliament constituency)|Wansdyke constituency]], which covers the part of B&NES that is not in the [[Bath (UK Parliament constituency)|Bath constituency]]. It also contains four wards or parts of wards from [[South Gloucestershire]] Council. It is named after the former [[Wansdyke (district)|Wansdyke]] district. At the next general election 2009/2010 much of this constituency will change to [[North East Somerset (UK Parliament constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/cgi-bin/calcwork.pl?seat=Somerset%20North%20East |title= Somerset North East: New Boundaries Calculation|accessdate=2007-09-19 |format= |work=Electoral Calculus: General Election Prediction }}</ref> The current MP is [[Dan Norris]].
Since B&NES was created, no [[political party]] has been in overall control of the council. The [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] quickly became the dominant party, but in the local elections on [[3 May]] [[2007]] the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] won 31 seats and are now the dominant party, though they do not have a majority. The [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] has only five seats, none of which are in Bath.
The current council composes of:
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="CCCCCC"
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="top" | '''Party'''
| valign="top" width="40px"| '''Councillors'''
| valign="top" width="40px"| '''+/-'''
|-
| bgcolor="{{Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color}}" |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| align="right" |31
| align="right" |+5
|-
| bgcolor="{{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |
| [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]
| align="right" |26
| align="right" |-3
|-
| bgcolor="{{Labour Party (UK)/meta/color}}" |
| [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| align="right" |5
| align="right" |-1
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| Independent
| align="right" |2
| align="right" |-2
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| No party
| align="right" |1
| align="right" |+1
|-
| bgcolor="black" colspan="1" rowspan="1" |
| bgcolor="CCCCCC" colspan="3" align="right" | NOC Hold ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]] 1st)
|}
The whole council will be up for re-election in [[UK local elections, 2011|2011]].
Local concerns include [[traffic calming]] measures, [[council tax]], development of the large Western Riverside [[brownfield land]] site in Bath, and the now popular, but long delayed [[Thermae Bath Spa]] development. On [[10 December]] [[2003]], Bath and North East Somerset was granted [[Fairtrade Zone]] status.
Bath and North East Somerset Council runs one of the most successful youth democracy groups in the UK, DAFBY (Democratic Action for B&NES Youth). The group are consulted by the council on a wide variety of issues that affect young people. In May 2008, DAFBY received Outstanding status by [[OFSTED]] and now delivers training for other youth participation organisations, as well as supporting the local Member of [[UK Youth Parliament|Youth Parliament]], Sarah McGlone.
==Demography==
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="margin-left: 1em; width: 30em; font-size: 90%;"
!colspan="6"|'''Population Profile'''<ref name="BANEScensus">{{cite web |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadDatasetList.do?a=3&b=3567719&c=Somerset&d=180&e=16&g=397814&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1197489822531&enc=1&altAreaId=276833 |title=Key Figures for 2001 Census: Census Area Statistics: Area: Bath and North East Somerset |author=United Kingdom Census 2001 |publisher=statistics.gov.uk |year=2001 |accessdate=2007-12-12}}</ref>
|-
![[United Kingdom Census 2001|UK Census 2001]] || [[Bath and North East Somerset|BANES UA]]|| [[South West England]] || [[England]]
|-
|Total population||169,040||4,928,434||49,138,831
|-
|Foreign born||11.2%||9.4%||9.2%
|-
|White||97.3%||97.7%||91%
|-
|Asian||0.5%||0.7%||4.6%
|-
|Black||0.5%||0.4%||2.3%
|-
|Christian||71.0%||74.0%||72%
|-
|Muslim||0.4%||0.5%||3.1%
|-
|Hindu||0.2%||0.2%||1.1%
|-
|No religion||19.5%||16.8%||15%
|-
|Over 75 years old||8.9%||9.3%||7.5%
|-
|Unemployed||2.0%||2.6%||3.3%
|}
170,238 people live in the area and approximately half live in the City of Bath making it 12 times more densely populated than the rest of the area.
According to the [[Politics of the United Kingdom|UK Government]]'s [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]], Bath, together with North East Somerset, which includes areas around Bath as far as the [[Chew Valley]], has a population of 169,040, with an average age of 39.9 (the national average being 38.6). According to the same statistics, the district is overwhelmingly populated by people of a white ethnic background at 97.2% — significantly higher than the national average of 90.9%. Other non-white ethnic groups in the district, in order of population size, are [[multiracial]] at 1%, Asian at 0.5% and black at 0.5% (the national averages are 1.3%, 4.6% and 2.1%, respectively).<ref name="census">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00ha.asp |title=Bath and North East Somerset UA 2001 Census |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=National Statistics}}</ref>
The district is largely [[Christian]] at 71%, with no other religion reaching more than 0.5%. These figures generally compare with the national averages, though the [[irreligion|non-religious]], at 19.5%, are significantly more prevalent than the national 14.8%. Since Bath is known for the restorative powers of its waters, it is interesting to note that only 7.4% of the population describe themselves as "not healthy" in the last 12 months, compared to a national average of 9.2%; only 15.8% of the inhabitants say they have had a long-term illness, as against 18.2% nationally.<ref name="census"/>
{| class="wikitable" style="clear:both;"
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;"|'''Population since 1801''' - Source: A Vision of Britain through Time
|-
!Year
|'''1801'''
|'''1851'''
|'''1901'''
|'''1911'''
|'''1921'''
|'''1931'''
|'''1941'''
|'''1951'''
|'''1961'''
|'''1971'''
|'''1981'''
|'''1991'''
|'''2001'''
|-
!Population BANES<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10168442&c_id=10001043&add=N|title=Bath and North East Somerset: Total Population |accessdate=2007-12-13 |work=A Vision of Britain Through Time |publisher=Great Britain Historical GIS Project }}</ref>
|57,188
|96,992
|107,637
|113,732
|113,351
|112,972
|123,185
|134,346
|144,950
|156,421
|154,083
|164,737
|169,045
|}
==Economy==
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of North and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire at current basic prices [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf published] (pp.240-253) by ''Office for National Statistics'' with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Regional Gross Value Added<ref>Components may not sum to totals due to rounding</ref> || Agriculture<ref>includes hunting and forestry</ref> || Industry<ref>includes energy and construction</ref> || Services<ref>includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured</ref>
|-
| 1995 || '''5,916''' || 125 || 1,919 || 3,872
|-
| 2000 || '''8,788''' || 86 || 2,373 || 6,330
|-
| 2003 || '''10,854''' || 67 || 2,873 || 7,914
|}
==Settlements==
The major towns and villages in the district are:
*[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]
*[[Bathampton]]
*[[Peasedown, Somerset|Peasedown]]
*[[Keynsham]]
*[[Midsomer Norton]]
*[[Paulton]]
*[[Radstock]]
*[[Saltford]]
==Transport==
Bath is approximately {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} south-east of the larger city and port of [[Bristol]], to which it is linked by the [[A4 road]], and is a similar distance south of the [[M4 motorway]]. Bath and North East Somerset is also served by the [[A37 road|A37]] and [[A368 road|A368]] trunk roads, and a network of smaller roads.
Bath is connected to Bristol and the sea by the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]], navigable via [[canal lock|locks]] by small boats. The river was connected to the [[River Thames]] and London by the [[Kennet and Avon Canal]] in 1810 via [[Bath Locks]]; this waterway – closed for many years, but restored in the last years of the 20th century – is now popular with [[narrow boat]] users.<ref>{{cite book |last=Allsop |first=Niall |title=The Kennet & Avon Canal |year=1987 |publisher=Millstream Book |location=Bath |id=ISBN 0-948975-15-6 }}</ref> Bath is on [[NCR 4|National Cycle Route 4]], with one of Britain's first [[cycleway]]s, the [[Bristol & Bath Railway Path]], to the west, and an eastern route toward [[London]] on the canal towpath. Although Bath does not have an airport, the city is about {{convert|18|mi|km|0}} from [[Bristol International Airport]], which may be reached by road or by rail via [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station]].
Bath is served by the [[Bath Spa railway station]] (designed by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]), which has regular connections to [[London]] [[Paddington station|Paddington]], [[Bristol]] [[Bristol Temple Meads|Temple Meads]], [[Cardiff Central]], [[Swansea]], [[Exeter]], [[Plymouth]] and [[Penzance]] (see [[Great Western Main Line]]), and also [[Westbury, Wiltshire|Westbury]], [[Warminster]], [[Salisbury, Wiltshire|Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Portsmouth]] and [[Brighton]] (see [[Wessex Main Line]]). Services are provided by [[First Great Western]]. There is a suburban station on the main line, [[Oldfield Park railway station|Oldfield Park]], and at Keynsham, which have a limited commuter service to Bristol. [[Bath Green Park railway station|Green Park station]] was once operated by the [[Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway]], whose line (always steam driven) climbed over the [[Mendip Hills|Mendips]] and served many towns and villages on its {{convert|71|mi|km|0|sing=on}} run to [[Bournemouth]]; this example of an English rural line was closed by [[Beeching Axe|Beeching]] in March 1966, with few remaining signs of its existence, but its Bath station building survives and now houses a number of shops.
== Education ==
Bath has two [[university|universities]]. The [[University of Bath]] was established in 1966 and has grown to become a leading university in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bath.ac.uk/internal/staff/intro/history.html |title=History of the University |accessdate=2007-12-10 |format= |work=University of Bath }}</ref> The university is known, academically, for the physical sciences, mathematics, architecture, management and technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bath.ac.uk/departments/ |title=Departments |accessdate=2007-12-10 |format= |work=University of Bath}}</ref>
[[Bath Spa University]] was first granted degree-awarding powers in 1992 as a [[university college]] (Bath Spa University College), before being granted [[university]] status in August 2005.<ref name="bathspa">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/ |title=Bath Spa University |accessdate=2007-12-10 |format= |work=Bath Spa University }}</ref> It has schools in the following subject areas: Art and Design, Education, English and Creative Studies, Historical and Cultural Studies, Music and the Performing Arts, and Social Sciences.<ref name="bathspa"/>
It also awards degrees through colleges such as [[Weston College]] in nearby [[Weston-super-Mare]].
The city contains one [[further education]] college, [[City of Bath College]], and several [[sixth form]]s as part of both [[state school|state]], [[Private school|private]], and [[Public school (England)|public schools]]. In England, on average in 2006, 45.8% of pupils gained 5 grades A-C including English and Maths; for Bath and North East Somerset pupils taking GCSE at 16 it is 52.0%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intelligencewest.org.uk/census/data/LDF_AMR%2019.11.07.xls |title=LDF Contextual Info |accessdate=2007-12-14 |format=Excel |work=Intelligence West }}</ref> Special needs education is provided by [[Three Ways School]].
{{Incomplete}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! School !! Type !! Results !! Website
|-
! colspan=4 align=center|State-funded Secondary Schools
|-
! [[Beechen Cliff School]]
| boys-only with co-educational sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_5400.stm] || [http://www.beechencliff.bathnes.sch.uk/]
|-
! [[Chew Valley School]]
| co-educational with sixth form || ||
|-
! [[Culverhay School]]
| boys-only with co-educational sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_4108.stm] || [http://www.culverhayschool.com/]
|-
! [[Hayesfield School Technology College]]
| girls-only with co-educational sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_4107.stm] || [http://www.e-hayesfield.com/]
|-
! [[Norton Hill School]]
| |co-educational with sixth form ||
|-
! [[Broadlands School]]
| |co-educational with sixth form ||
|-
! [[Oldfield School]]
| girls-only with co-educational sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_5401.stm] || [http://www.oldfield.bathnes.sch.uk/]
|-
! [[Ralph Allen School]]
| co-educational with sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_4132.stm] || [http://www.ralphallen.bathnes.sch.uk/]
|-
! [[Somervale School]]
| |co-educational with sixth form ||
|-
! [[St Gregory's Catholic College]]
| co-educational with no sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_4608.stm] || [http://www.st-gregorys.bathnes.sch.uk/]
|-
! [[St Mark's CofE School]]
| co-educational with no sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_4607.stm] || [http://www.st-marks.bathnes.sch.uk/]
|-
! [[Writhlington School]]
| |co-educational with sixth form ||
|-
! colspan=4 align=center|Independent Schools
|-
! [[King Edward's School, Bath|King Edward's School]]
| co-educational with sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_6010.stm] || [http://www.kesbath.com/]
|-
! [[Kingswood School]]
| co-educational with sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_6000.stm] || [http://www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk/]
|-
! [[Monkton Combe School]]
| co-educational with sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/06/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_6008.stm] || [http://www.monktoncombeschool.com/]
|-
! [[Prior Park College]]
| co-educational with sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_6001.stm] || [http://www.priorparkschools.co.uk/]
|-
! [[Royal High School, Bath|Royal High School]]
| girls-only with sixth form || [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/800_6002.stm] || [http://www.gdst.net/royalhighbath/]
|}
==Sports==
[[Bath Rugby]] plays at the [[Recreation Ground (Bath)|Recreation Ground]],<ref name="bathrughist">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathrugby.com/26_43.php |title=The story so far |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=Bath Rugby }}</ref>.[[Bath Cricket Club]] play at the North Parade cricket ground next door to the Recreation Ground.
[[Bath City F.C.]] and [[Team Bath F.C.]] (affiliated with the [[University of Bath]]) are the major [[football (soccer)|football]] teams in Bath city but there are also clubs in the surrounding areas such as; [[Bishop Sutton A.F.C.]], [[Radstock Town F.C.]] and [[Welton Rovers F.C.]].
The [[Bath Half Marathon]] is run annually through the city streets, with over 10,000 runners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bathhalfmarathon.co.uk/|title=Bath Half Marathon|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> Bath also has a thriving [[cycling]] community, with places for biking including [[Royal Victoria Park, Bath|Royal Victoria Park]], 'The Tumps' in Odd Down/east, the jumps on top of [[Lansdown, Bath|Lansdown]], and Prior Park. Places for biking near Bath include [[Brown's Folly]] in [[Batheaston]] and Box Woods, in [[Box, Wiltshire|Box]]. Bath is also the home of the Bath American Football Club, which has been playing [[American Football]] in the city since 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bathafc.co.uk/|title=Bath American Football Club|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
There are sport and leisure centres in Bath, [[Keynsham]] the [[Chew Valley]] and [[Midsomer Norton]]. Much of the surrounding countryside is accessible for walking and both [[Chew Valley Lake]] and [[Blagdon Lake]] provide extensive [[fishing]] under permit from [[Bristol Water]]. The [[River Chew]] and most of its tributaries also have fishing but this is generally under licences to local angling clubs. Chew Valley Sailing Club<ref>{{cite web | title=Chew Valley Sailing Club | url=http://www.chewvalleysailing.org.uk/ | accessdate=2006-05-12}}</ref> is situated on Chew Valley Lake and provides dinghy sailing at all levels and hosts national and international competitions.
==Places of interest==
There are a total of 72,000 dwellings within the area, 6,408 are [[listed buildings]], 662 Grade 1and 145 Grade 2 and classified as of historical or architectural importance. These include many buildings and areas of Bath such as [[Lansdown Crescent, Bath|Lansdown Crescent]],<ref>{{cite web | title=1 to 20 Lansdown Crescent | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=442760 | accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> the [[Royal Crescent]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Crescent | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=443488|accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> [[The Circus (Bath)|The Circus]] and [[Pulteney Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Pulteney Bridge | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=443316 | accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> Outside the city there are also several historic manor houses such as [[St Catherine's Court]] and [[Sutton Court]].
Bath is a major tourist centre and has a range of museums and art galleries including the [[Victoria Art Gallery]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Victoria Art Gallery | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=442375 | accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> the [[Museum of East Asian Art]], and [[Holburne Museum of Art]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Holburne of Menstrie Museum | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=443742|accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> numerous commercial art galleries and antique shops, as well as numerous museums, among them [[Bath Postal Museum]], [http://www.museumofcostume.co.uk The Museum of Costume], the [[Jane Austen Centre]], the [[Herschel Museum of Astronomy]] and the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Roman Baths Treatment Centre | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=442194 | accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref>
The [[Radstock Museum]] details the history of the [[Somerset coalfield]].
==See also==
* [[List of places of interest in Bath, Somerset]]
==Notes and references==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/default.htm BANES council]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset BBC Somerset]
*[http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/landandpremises/Landscape/rurallandscapespdf.htm Rural Landscapes of Bath and North East Somerset]
{{Somerset}}
{{SW_England}}
[[Category:Bath and North East Somerset| ]]
[[Category:Unitary authorities in England]]
[[Category:Avon]]
[[Category:Geography of Somerset]]
[[Category:Amalgamated placenames]]
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[[lb:Bath an Nordost Somerset]]
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