1. Lead guitarist of cult 70s punk band
The Sods, Shane Michael Roe, died on
Friday night after being struck by a car
in Lagos, Portugal. The high esteem in
which he was held during his life has
only continued with the many statements
of sorrow at his loss and fondness for
his abundance of wit, creativity and
kindness. Shane had been in Portugal for
nearly two weeks after eviction from two
homes in Devon within six months.
One resulted from his private landlord
selling the property he rented in Totnes.
The second was enforced by the South
Devon Rural Housing Association
(SDRHA).
The reason given was anti-social
behaviour, based on the complaints of
one neighbour and despite Roe’s Bi-
polar disorder.
Shane was born in Harlow, Essex in
1954. Like many of his generation he
found both solace and inspiration in the
revolutionary music of artists like The
Rolling Stones and Iggy Pop and he both
performed in and managed numerous
bands.
During the 1990s his successful
career in publishing included his roles as
Director of S M R Publishing Ltd. and
Executive Director of C D R Publishing
Ltd.
His career suffered due to his
mental health, resulting in long-term
unemployment. He was sustained
through this difficult time by music and
the love his of many friends and his son
Peter, 18.
The date of the coroner’s inquest is
unknownpendingfurtherannouncements
by Portuguese authorities.
Wetherspoons facing opposition
A
nti-social behaviour and
late night drinking are
among concerns being
raised about proposals for
a new Wetherspoons on Gloucester
Road. There is over 100 public objec-
tions made to the planning applica-
tion since its submission in July. The
planned site is a currently abandoned
retail unit located at 349-353 on the
popular Bristol street, bordering a rec-
lamation yard.
One local resident, Mrs Elizabeth
Langlois of Maple Road in Horfield,
said: “The proposed opening times
are not appropriate for this location.
Additional noise and anti-social
behaviour associated with another
drinking establishment wouldn’t be
a wecome addition to this part of
Gloucester Road.”
J D Wetherspoons have suggested
that the planned venue would create
up to 45 jobs. This could help to
persuade Bristol City Council Planning
Department to grant their approval for
the application. Another factor that
may lend weight to the proposals is
the plan for homes above the drinking
venue.
According to the plans, which have
been publicly submitted, the pub would
open until 1.30am between Thursdays
and Saturdays. This would become
2.30am on Bank Holidays and all night
drinking on New Year’s Eve.
The venue would also include a
beer garden. This is one of the
more controversial features under
consideration, due to the potential
for loud noise outdoors late into the
night. Mr. Sam Morrison, a resident
of Talgarth Road, said: “Why is there
going to be a beer garden metres from
residents windows?”
In addition to the fears that exist
around late night drinking and anti-
social behaviour, some residents have
been expressing their concern that the
unique character of Gloucester Road
could be threatened. One common
feature of many businesses along the
streetisthattheyareindependentlyrun.
In a public objection to the application,
Dr. William Kenny-Levick of Brynland
Avenue said: “Gloucester Road prides
iteself on supporting independently
run private businesses rather than large
national chains.”
However, not all locals are opposed to
the plans. There has been numerous
public comments made in support of
the planning application. For instance,
Mr. Ian Noble of Brent Road said:
“Given the number of retail properties
that have been converted to bars and
restaurants in recent years along this
section of the Gloucester Road, I can’t
see what is so different about this one
that would give any cause for
objection.”
Those for and against the plans must
now wait for the Planning Department
to make their decision.
Planning application for a new pub on Gloucester Road meets
with resistance from local residents and pressure groups.
Punk pioneer
killed by car in
Portugal
By Arthur Nares
word count: 400
Shane Roe, photo by Oliver Nares
NEWS IN BRIEF
Hospital Hosts Arts Festival
The Fresh Arts Festival is coming
to Southmead Hospital, Bristol
from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18
October to celebrate opening of the
Brunel building. Events include the
“grand finale of the Speed Derby”
and the “world’s first and only
mobile poetic first aid service.”
Bristol’s March On Cancer
Campaigners will meet at the
Amphitheatre, Harbourside in
Bristol on Saturday 11 October in
a show of defiance and to raise
money to help fight cancer. The
march will take place along with
others in fifteen cities across the
nation with organisers hoping to
attract tens of thousands of people.
Voters Must Register Online
Bristol City Council is reminding
residents to register as part of
the new Individual Electoral
Registration (IER) System. The
Council claims that the “vast
majority of residents” have
received letters confirming
their registration, although they
acknowledged that 58’000
“There was a witch
hunt and Shane was
the witch. That’s why
he went to Portugal.”
Page 5 The Newspaper Times December 2014
The empty building proposed for re-development, photo by Arthur Nares
“Your music and art will
remain forever,” says Martin
Hall.
W H AT D O YO U T H I N K A B O U T T H E R E S U LT O F T H E S COT T I S H I N D E P E N D E N C E R E F E R E N D U M ?
“It’s a good thing for all of
us that the Scottish have
voted to stay a part of the
United Kingdom. If they’d
left it would have made us
and them weaker.”
“It’s a shame for those that
really wanted independence
but I think it’s for the best.
Some of the arguments for
the Scots leaving the UK
were quite good though. ”
“I think it’s a good result. be-
cause we need them for our
military. England would have
been fine without Scotland
though, it’s them who would
have been worse off.”
Jo Harris, Receptionist,
Redland
Catherine Parks, Shop-
assistant, Southville
Mark Allen, Estate
Agent, Fishponds