Latest news with #Clevedon
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Art therapist aims for fastest Bristol Channel swim
A woman who swam the Bristol Channel between Penarth and Clevedon is hoping to be named the fastest Briton to do so. Mairi Benton, from Bristol, is waiting for ratification after completing the feat in five hours, 22 minutes, earlier in July. "I had no intention of going fast, just trying to get from A to B, but halfway through it the crew told me 'you need pick up your pace because you could you could be quite fast and get a record'," she Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world, with 15.24m (50ft) variance between high and low tide, complicated with extremely strong currents. Once her achievement is ratified by the Bristol Channel Swimming Association, Ms Benton will receive a badge reading "bridges are for wimps".She said she took up swimming to help deal with the stress of her work as an art therapist for people with learning disabilities."It completely empties your mind. You just have a great feeling afterwards and you do not regret coming for a swim, ever."I think of it like a filing cabinet, going through everything in my mind and putting everything away neatly and then it's a bit like meditation," she said. She is now planning to swim across Loch Ness in a few years' Smith, her coach at Vobster Quay in Radstock, Somerset, said Ms Benton's "mental strength" was her biggest asset."When you're taking on a significant long-distance swimming challenge, it's very different to, for example, the Olympic swimming in the pool or even open water," he said. "It was that mental strength that really assured me that she could take on a challenge like this," Mr Smith added.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Clevedon traders in protest against on-street parking charges
Some independent town traders wore black funeral clothing as they staged a protest against proposed parking charges, which they warn will kill-off October, North Somerset Council voted to introduce on-street and car parking charges in Clevedon, Nailsea and Portishead, as a way to balance its shopkeeper Judith Levy, who took part in the demonstration on Hill Road, said: "We've seen it happen in other places where independent shops start closing up and it would be awful if it were to happen here."North Somerset Council said it "needs to save £44m over the next three years after reduced national government funding". Charges are set be introduced following a consultation of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which closes on 18 July. A council spokesperson said it has seen an increase in demand for services, particularly in adult social care and children's services, along with rising added: "We've had no choice but to review all areas of council income generation and spend, including making the difficult decision on introducing parking charges across North Somerset."But some independent shopkeepers accused the local authority of being careless with their spending. "I understand the council need to balance their budget but part of the problem is their own making with the big mess they've done on the seafront", said Ms Levy, referring to the removal of the controversial wiggly road markings which cost about £1.5m."We've already lost about 30% of trade since the seafront debacle", she said, claiming businesses have seen lower footfall after the removal of sea-facing parking in Clevedon and the introduction of a one-way system."Since then all the traders on Hill Road have found it harder. It hit the reputation of the town and it stopped a lot of people coming," she added. North Somerset Council hopes to raise a million pounds as it seeks to balance its leader Mike Bell, previously said parking hikes were "unavoidable", warning the council "was in a financial emergency".Ms Levy, who runs a retail and yoga studio on Hill Road is also worried about the impact new charges can have on nearby roads."Our street will be paid parking which means residential streets around it will be full of cars because people will try to avoid paying," she said. She suggested having a park and ride into town. Discover Clevedon, which represent traders, has written to the council saying a 30-minute free parking period was not included in the recently published Traffic Regulation Orders."The published TROs do not accurately reflect the decision previously made by North Somerset Council to include a 30-minute free parking period for on-street parking," the letter said."This omission means that the proposals do not present an accurate basis for respondents to comment on, effectively removing the opportunity for stakeholders to fulfil the statutory requirements of the TRO consultation process."North Somerset Council did not respond to the claims, but has invited residents, businesses and other organisations to comment via their website. They added: "All comments received will be reviewed and a decision will be taken shortly on the next steps regarding introducing parking charges in Clevedon."
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Statue of first British-made Stephens car unveiled in Clevedon
A statue of the first entirely British-designed and built motor car has been unveiled. The 1:1 replica of a car built by Richard Stephens in 1898 in Clevedon, now sits on Six Ways roundabout, a short distance from where the original was Reber, organiser of the Clevedon Cars and Coffee event, who commissioned the statue, said: "I am so happy to see the town's response, everyone is excited by this project."It's a reflection of how the car originally came together, it was several Clevedonians who made it happen, and it's gratifying to see that pattern repeat again today." Richard Stephens began his car manufacturing business in Clevedon in 1897, taking inspiration from engineers he met in America, including Henry Ford and Ransom Olds, founder of the Oldsmobile car there are two surviving cars from 12 that were built and the company folded in 1916 after competition from other firms. One of the cars is still using its original tyres, installed 127 years ago. The two have participated in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run for several years. Stephens' vehicles could reach 40mph (64km/h), and he invented his own suspension systems for his cars, as well as manufacturing early taxis and granddaughter Georgina Westlake, who unveiled the statue, said it looked "amazing"."Richard Stephens would be proud and so would my father," she said. The car statue was funded from private donations."Richard Stephens was a big believer in using cars for public transportation, creating them with local people using locally-sourced materials," Mr Reber said."Then he built them for mass transit, and his final car carried 10 people."Here we are in 2025 and we realise how many things he got right."He is the road not taken, and he addressed things in his design and business model we only appreciate now."Mr Reber next plans to commission a mural of Richard Stephens for the building which formerly housed his workshop.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- The Sun
Picturesque semi-detached house surrounded by idyllic fields hits market for £475k- but there's a huge catch
A PICTURESQUE semi-detached house surrounded by idyllic fields has hit the market for £475,000 - but there's a huge catch. The Grade II-listed home in Clevedon, Somerset, has caused a stir on social media. 10 10 10 10 The main home boasts two bedrooms and a studio annex, plus a two-bedroom holiday let, as well as six acres of woodland. Set across three floors, the main property is full of character, with wooden beams, exposed brickwork, and large windows flooding it in natural light. But the initially ideal semi-detached home is smack bang underneath the M5 motorway. Shocking listing images shows its sat in a less-than-desirable location, with the bustling motorway plonked almost directly overhead. The key route links the South West with the Midlands – meaning it is in constant use. The bizarre pictures were shared on social media, where viewers pointed out the impracticalities of the spot. One user commented: 'Surely sleep is impossible.' 'I would live in Constance irrational fear that a car would land on my house,' said another. Someone else wrote: 'Not being funny that property would be double if it wasn't under the m5.' 'Without the m5 it would be like the perfect house,' another person added. 10 10 10 10 'Beautiful property but couldn't get past the M5 being above,' agreed another viewer. But others defended the location. One wrote: 'The noise isn't that bad, you get used too it.' [sic] 'Didn't realise I've been driving over such a lovely house,' commented another person. Someone else joked: 'In all fairness the M5 is at a standstill most weeks so probably not that noisy.' The holiday let has 'had much of the work completed for a future owner', with finishing touches required before it is ready for occupation. The estate agent suggests holiday let could prove very popular given its close proximity to popular towns Clevedon and Portishead, with the new owner still able to live on-site in the main house. They noted that the area of land under the M5 motorway viaduct forms part of the sale, called a 'creeping freehold'. 10 10
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Stunning semi-detached house with VERY good transport links and glorious surroundings could be yours for £475,000 - but it comes with a massive catch
A stunning semi-detached house in the countryside has gone on the market for £475,000 - but there's a big catch that is raising eyebrows. The Grade II-listed home is surrounded by idyllic fields and looks set to be a beautiful traditional cottage-core abode. However, the location has caught the attention of TikTok users, in a post that has gone viral with 60,000 views. As for why? Well, the Clevedon, Somerset home is smack bang underneath the M5 motorway. Pictures show the less-than-desirable location with the bustling motorway almost directly overhead. The motorway is the key route linking the South West with the Midlands meaning it is in constant use. After pictures were shared on social media, people were quick to point out the impracticalities of the spot. 'Surely sleep is impossible,' one user wrote. 'I would live in Constance irrational fear that a car would land on my house,' said another. Someone else commented: 'Not being funny that property would be double if it wasn't under the m5.' 'Without the m5 it would be like the perfect house,' another person added. 'Beautiful property but couldn't get past the M5 being above,' agreed another viewer. But others defended the location. One wrote: 'The noise isn't that bad, you get used too it.' [sic] 'Didn't realise I've been driving over such a lovely house,' commented another person. Another joked: 'In all fairness the M5 is at a standstill most weeks so probably not that noisy.' The main home boasts two bedrooms and a studio annex, plus a two-bedroom holiday let, as well as six acres of woodland. Set across three floors, the main property is full of character, with wooden beams, exposed brickwork, and large windows flooding it in natural light. The holiday let has 'had much of the work completed for a future owner', with finishing touches required before it is ready for occupation. The estate agent suggests holiday let could prove very popular given its close proximity to popular towns Clevedon and Portishead, with the new owner still able to live on-site in the main house. They noted that the area of land under the M5 motorway viaduct forms part of the sale, called a 'creeping freehold'. Described as a 'truly unique opportunity', the property is currently on the market with Greenslade Taylor Hunt for £475,000.
