North Somerset MP Liam Fox spoke out this week about the worsening refugee crisis.

Dr Liam Fox MP speaking on BBC Radio 4 World at One said: "It is time for the international community to accept its moral responsibilities and create a safe zone in Syria using its military capabilities. 

"The pitiful sight of families risking their lives to escape the thuggery of Assad or the barbarity of ISIS is beyond endurance for most decent people. 

"Doing nothing is a policy position which has consequences we cannot tolerate.

"There is a world of difference between keeping out economic migrants from Africa and Asia who simply want a better standard of living and those who are fleeing from the most inhuman behaviour we have seen for many years."

He was echoing the words of prime minister David Cameron who announced that the UK is to provide resettlement to 'thousands' more Syrian refugees in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis.

No figure has been decided but the prime minister said the extra refugees would come from camps bordering Syria, not from among those already in Europe.

He also announced a further £100m in humanitarian aid for those in camps in Syria, Turkey, Jordan and the Lebanon.

And at the weekend addressing the South West Conservatives European Conference at Somerset County Cricket Club today Dr Fox added: "That the international community needed to deal with the cause of the refugee crisis not merely its symptoms. 

"These poor people are caught between the barbarity of the Assad regime and the depravity of ISIS. 

"The PM has rightly identified as a huge threat to regional, and Britain's, security yet our response is inadequate. 

"The policy of attacking ISIS in Iraq but not in Syria is patently absurd which not only makes us less effective militarily but diminishes us in the eyes of other partners in the coalition. 

"If we have identified a threat to our national security, we have a duty to deal with it. 

"We also need to start a process, as part of an international response to the crisis, to create a safe haven for the Syrian people, including an enforced no fly zone, where they can live safely within their own country and stop having to risk their lives trying to get their families to a place of safety. 

"Handwringing about the tragedy of the refugees is not enough.  It is time that action was taken to deal with the root of the problem”

Click on images below to learn more.

But while many Nailsea residents welcome refugees some like former Nailsea Town Council chairman Rod Lees have taken to social media to urge people to sign a petition to the government calling for closed borders to keep immigrants out. There is no link on that image.

A cafe in a converted cow shed, ancient churches, an historic pub and Bristol Channel lighthouse are among the North Somerset places taking part in events billed as ‘opening doors, eyes and minds’.

Heritage Open Days is a four-day festival celebrating England's local history and giving access to thousands of places many usually closed to the public.

From Bristol to Weston-super-Mare there are scores of places on our doorstep with some in Nailsea.

Running from Thursday to Sunday, September 10-13, the online listings of places near to us come under the Bristol or Somerset categories.

For its 21st anniversary and with secured funding Heritage Open Days 2015 has backing from the National Trust which last year saw a record three million visitors.

This year’s festival promises to be the most diverse yet, with a greater variety of places taking part and regular participants invited to create original and innovative events.

Join guided walks, visit secret archives, discover hidden works of art – or simply soak up the sunshine in a garden of your choice.

Holy Trinity church at Church Lane will be open on Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, from 1-5pm.

For those with a head for heights Holy Trinity church will be giving towers tours - weather permitting – and people can wander around the church and find out about its 700 year history with The Coffee Lounge open on the Saturday.

Guides will be available to describe the history of this Grade I listed medieval church and Grade II listed Georgian Rectory

Holy Trinity church office manager Sarah Read said: “Our event is open to all people, of any faith or none."
Next door the Tithe Barn is opening from 10.30am-4pm on Sunday, September 13.

There is no  need to book for a tour and talk of the beautifully restored medieval Tithe Barn including its long history as a school from the 1790s but there is a maximum of 20 peopel per tour/session.

Nailsea Town Council spokesmanPennee Paige said: "We hope to offer something for all the family, with fun activities, informative displays and music.

"Children can dress up in Victorian costumes and discover what life would have been like for the school children here of past.

"School yard and fun games from Victorian times and present day will be available to discover and enjoy, and younger visitors may also like to join in with our owl hunt.

"Guided tours will be available throughout the day but visitors are welcome to come and explore at their own pace.

"Tea, coffee and cakes will also be available all day.”

Along the road at Wraxall is Tyntesfield which is also taking part in the heritage event.

Discover a family home lived in by four generations of the Gibbs family, all making their mark and never throwing anything away.

Follow the family's rise and gentle decline, and find out why the National Trust saved the house and gardens for the future generations to admire.

Tyntesfield open door date is on Saturday, September 12, 10am-6pm and no prior booking is required.

And a little further along the road at Clapton-in-Gordano is the Black Horse inn.

The building dates from the 14th century around the same time as the church.

The pub was built on the edge of a salt marsh to serve the needs of the mining community and The Black Horse name is believed to be derived from the pit ponies and horses that drew the coal to Portishead for shipping.

The pit was at the end of the pub garden and it is recorded that in 1797 is produced 240 bushels of coal a day.

Around this time the lounge bar doubled as the village lock up and the only window in the room is still barred today.

This open door event is not suitable for children aged under six.

From 11am-11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 10-12 and from noon-10pm on Sunday, September 13, take a tour of The Black House – maximum of 10 people per session.

Every year on four days in September, the bunting is unfurled and buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors.

This is a once-a-year chance to discover the often hidden or forgotten gems on our doorsteps and celebrate for free our fantastic history, architecture and culture.

Nationwide it includes everything from castles to city halls, tunnels to tower tops, police cells to private homes, workshops to woodland walks, the variety of places and ways to discover them are endless.

Heritage Open Days is organised by a huge network of people who share a passion for places, history and culture.

The national programme is managed by the National Trust and funded by players of People's Postcode Lottery and Historic England and supported by 40,000 volunteers.

 

• Bristol Doors Open Day is a one day event on Saturday, September 12. Click HERE to learn more or click HERE to download the event guide and map.

• Heritage Open Days is a four day event managed by the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery and has links to European Heritage Days. Click HERE to learn more.