Headlines: 'Hot air balloon excitement' and 'bomb scare'
What have been the big stories in the West this week?
Earlier this week, police named the 10-year-old boy who died when a coach carrying Minehead Middle School students crashed on the way back from a zoo trip.Ch Supt Mark Edgington, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the force's thoughts were with Oliver Price's family at this "unimaginably difficult time". A major incident was declared in Bristol as hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes in Ashton Vale. A cordon was put in place for several hours while a bomb disposal team examined the area. A man was arrested after reports he was acting suspiciously, but was later released on bail.Resident doctors began a five-day strike on Friday over a pay dispute with the government. Gloucestershire A&E has made major changes that will last for the duration of the action.Excitement is building in Bristol ahead of the International Balloon Fiesta from 8 to 10 August. Balloons have been taken to several schools on a "tether roadshow" and a fleet of balloons rose across the city in a mass ascent on Friday.
Top five local stories for the BBC in the West
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Bristol Live has visited the site of the YTL Bristol Arena – which is still unfinished following years of promises.Many Bristolians are sceptical as to whether the arena will ever materialise.Its chief executive, Andrew Billingham, told the website: "We're doing everything in our powers – we want this open as soon as we can."
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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Headlines: 'Hot air balloon excitement' and 'bomb scare'
Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app. What have been the big stories in the West this week? Earlier this week, police named the 10-year-old boy who died when a coach carrying Minehead Middle School students crashed on the way back from a zoo Supt Mark Edgington, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the force's thoughts were with Oliver Price's family at this "unimaginably difficult time". A major incident was declared in Bristol as hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes in Ashton Vale. A cordon was put in place for several hours while a bomb disposal team examined the area. A man was arrested after reports he was acting suspiciously, but was later released on doctors began a five-day strike on Friday over a pay dispute with the government. Gloucestershire A&E has made major changes that will last for the duration of the is building in Bristol ahead of the International Balloon Fiesta from 8 to 10 August. Balloons have been taken to several schools on a "tether roadshow" and a fleet of balloons rose across the city in a mass ascent on Friday. Top five local stories for the BBC in the West Something longer to read Bristol Live has visited the site of the YTL Bristol Arena – which is still unfinished following years of Bristolians are sceptical as to whether the arena will ever chief executive, Andrew Billingham, told the website: "We're doing everything in our powers – we want this open as soon as we can." Explore more with our daily roundups
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Somerset in Pictures: Sacred pilgrimage and seaside views
With summer in full swing and school out for another year, many of us have our thoughts turned to the great the cricket pitch to the top of Glastonbury Tor, people across Somerset have been getting out and about to make the most of the county in full bloom. Here is a look at some of the best pictures from across the area this week. Pilgrimage of light: People carried lanterns up to Glastonbury Tor, during the Sacred Magdalene Festival, which marks the feast day of St Mary Magdelene. Spotted: Weather Watcher Malty Von Hop sent in this tranquil shot of sheep grazing amongst fruit trees in an orchard in Langport, Somerset. Happy faces: Craig Overton (second from the right) of Somerset was seen celebrating the wicket of Alex Lees of Durham for his fifth wicket during Day One of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match at The Cooper Associates County Ground. Horsing around: Avon and Somerset Police shared this snap of Max, their newest police horse in training, on social media to a huge response. A seagull's view: This beautiful view over Weston-super-Mare's beach was captured by BBC Weather Watcher Gary 'the Monkey'. Skydiver: Brian Standring, 86, from Wellington man has been recognised in Parliament for his charity work. He recently completed his fourth skydive to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society. Champions return: Bath Rugby's players have been back putting in the hard yards as pre-season training began at Farleigh House.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
New map reveals Japanese Knotweed hotspots in UK wiping thousands off house prices – is your town on the list?
JAPANESE Knotweed is the UK's most invasive plant, and it wreaks havoc on homes across the country. With over 100,000 infestations every year, the pesky plant can damage buildings and knock thousands off properties. An interactive online map has been revealed and lifts the lid on where this fast-spreading menace is causing the most destruction. Leading the charge in England is Bristol, officially crowned the knotweed capital with a jaw-dropping 33.91 infestations per square mile. Hot on its heels are Merseyside (11.87), Greater London (7.74), and Lancashire (7.25), making it clear this isn't just a rural issue – it's a national one. Wales isn't spared either. Newport tops the 2025 list with a staggering 1,747 known cases, closely followed by Cardiff (1,208) and Bridgend (1,209). And while cities are bearing the brunt, rural areas like Gwynedd, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil aren't far behind. The Environet map isn't just for nosy neighbours – it's a vital tool for homeowners, buyers and surveyors. Just pop in a postcode and see your area's risk level at a glance: yellow for low, orange for moderate and red for high. And if you spot a fresh outbreak? You can upload a photo using the 'Add Sighting' feature and help grow the UK's biggest knotweed database. Japanese knotweed isn't just ugly – it can damage buildings, knock thousands off property values and even derail mortgage applications. 'It causes severe damage and can be as bad a Japanese knotweed,' gardeners warned over plant that can devalue your home Knowing what you're dealing with is essential, especially if you're buying, selling or developing. And for those wanting a deeper dive, Environet's KnotSure service combines expert insight with the power of the heatmap. The country saw a growth spurt in June after heavy rainfall after a long dry spell. Sold property expert Terry Fisher warned: "These conditions can result in "growth spurts" for the invasive plant which can cause a plethora of problems for homeowners. Mr Fisher continued: 'We've been basking in the glorious sunshine, but now the rain has made an epic return. 'This combination of wet and warm creates the ideal conditions for Japanese knotweed to thrive and even go into a super growth. "Meaning homeowners might unearth a beast in their gardens this spring," reported The Argus. What does Japanese Knotweed look like? Japanese Knotweed can grow at up to 10cm a day in the summer and reach up to 7ft high. Gardening expert, Kendal Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said: "The shoots look similar to bamboo shoots growing 2- 3metres tall. "They are hollow and coloured red in the Spring and turn green in the summer. "Their leaves which appear in Spring are shield or heart-shaped with a pointed tip and grow at staggered intervals along the length of the shoots. "They can grow up to 20cm long and die back in winter leaving just the brown dead looking canes above ground. They further explained that the flowers appear in late summer as bunches of creamy white flowers growing in amongst the leaves. How to spot a Japanese Knotweed HOW to spot Japanese Knotweed and what to do if you find it. GARDENING expert, Kendal Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said: "Japanese knotweed shoots look similar to bamboo shoots growing 2- 3metres tall". They are hollow and coloured red in the Spring and turn green in the summer. Their leaves which appear in Spring are shield or heart-shaped with a pointed tip and grow at staggered intervals along the length of the shoots. They can grow up to 20cm long and die back in winter leaving just the brown dead looking canes above ground. The flowers appear in late summer as bunches of creamy white flowers growing in amongst the leaves. It spreads through its rhizomes (underground root system) which are dark brown on the outside and orange on the inside. They can burrow up to 3 metres under ground causing damage to buildings and break easily, so can be hard to remove completely. If you find it in your garden it's important to call in a specialist Japanese Knotweed removal company. They use a glyphosate based herbicide which when injected into the plant at the right time of year can kill it. It may take a few years of repeated application to eradicate the plant completely from your property which is why many removal companies recommend a glyphosate treatment programme over a number of years.
