Summary

  • Updates from across the West of England on Thursday, 9 June 2016

  1. Time to say goodbye ...and show you a picture of a wolfpublished at 22:01 BST 9 June 2016

    WolfImage source, Phil Mumby, Longleat Safari Park

    Well it's one stunning wolf, so stunning that the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) has crowned this photo as the winner of their annual photography competition.

    It was taken by Phil Mumby at Longleat Safari Park and came first in the 'Life in a' collection.

    The competition is open to staff, members of volunteers of BIAZA zoos and aquariums.

    A picture of an armadillo from Bristol Zoo was also entered, we think it's also rather cute and could have bagged a prize.

    ArmadilloImage source, Mark Eastment, Bristol Zoo Gardens

    That's all from Local Live across the West today. Come back for more news, sport, weather and travel tomorrow, from 7am!

  2. MCC head: 'It's truly saddened me'published at 21:54 BST 9 June 2016

    "Ever so polite with a steely determination in his eye," says the MCC's head coach, Steve Kirby, about Hamza Ali who died on Wednesday...

    Media caption,

    MCC Head Coach, Steve Kirby shares his memories of Hamza Ali

    Bristol-born Hamza got into difficulty while swimming in the River Avon at Saltford and died in hospital. 

    His friends from the cricketing world have been paying tribute to him.

  3. Hospital 'knew nothing' about prank quidditch plaquepublished at 21:39 BST 9 June 2016

    A small plaque placed outside Bristol Children's Hospital is attracting lots of attention after being left unnoticed by hospital staff for more than 18 months.

    BBC Points West's Andy Howard shares more...

    Media caption,

    The mystery surrounding the 1998 World Cup Quidditch Hoops has finally been solved.

    Some have offered their own responses on the BBC Radio Bristol, external and the Points West Facebook, external pages...

    Quote Message

    There are kind and nice people in the world, more people should do what he has done because it does make you feel better in yourself when you do good for other people.

    Alison Elizabeth Meredith

    Quote Message

    Just saw this. Actually made me cry. Beautiful story.

    Eileen Price

    Quote Message

    What a fantastically kind and thoughtful thing he did

    Carolyn Stroud

    Quote Message

    Beautiful

    Valerie Trueman

  4. Emily's parents want law change after speedboat deathpublished at 21:21 BST 9 June 2016

    The parents of a teenager from Gloucestershire who drowned while on holiday in Devon after her buoyancy aid was caught on a sinking speedboat say a change in the law is needed to make sure drivers are properly trained. 

    The coroner in Emily Gardner's case called it "a most tragic incident". 

    Steve Knibbs has been to meet Emily's parents...

    Media caption,

    The parents of Emily Gardner call for a change in the law

  5. Blast off! Cricket-stylepublished at 21:06 BST 9 June 2016

    Graham WaggImage source, Huw Evans picture agency

    Here's a preview of Gloucestershire versus Glamorgan in the T20 Blast, with both teams aiming for a third win in four games.

  6. Outcry over FGM footagepublished at 20:48 BST 9 June 2016

    Campaigners in Bristol are unhappy after news that the broadcaster Sky may have filmed the practice of Female Genital Mutilation taking place in Somalia. 

    The practice of FGM is illegal in the UK.

    Media caption,

    Campaigners are unhappy that Sky may have filmed FGM

    Bristol West MP Thangham Debbonaire said she was talking to Sky about exactly what they filmed.

    It's understood by Ms Debbonaire that the broadcast is going ahead tonight but we don't know exactly what will be shown.

  7. Bath's Ford drops to bench for Englandpublished at 20:30 BST 9 June 2016

    George FordImage source, Rex Features

    Bath fly-half George Ford has been dropped to the bench for England's first Test against Australia.

    Saracens' Owen Farrell has been selected over Ford for the match in Brisbane on 11 June.

    Ford - whose father Mike was sacked as head coach of Bath at the end of the Premiership season - missed six out of seven kicks at goal during England's 27-13 warm-up victory over Wales.

  8. Rain on the way?published at 20:16 BST 9 June 2016

    How long will this spell of good weather last? According to Ian Fergusson, the risk of rain is increasing from tomorrow. 

    Here's his latest forecast...

    Media caption,

    Ian Fergusson brings us the weather for the next few days

  9. Motorcyclist died 'doing what he loved'published at 19:59 BST 9 June 2016

    John Grant and the scene of the crashImage source, Google/Gwent Police

    The family of a motorcyclist from Bristol who died after a crash in Monmouthshire say he died doing what he loved.

    John Grant's Honda collided with a Range Rover Saturday evening and he died at the scene.

    Read more by clicking here.

  10. East what?! The travel tongue-twister...published at 19:37 BST 9 June 2016

    A set of roadworks in Taunton has given the team at BBC Somerset a bit of a conundrum.

    It may look simple, but the phrase "East Reach meets East Street" has been quite difficult to pronounce, which is especially difficult when it needs to be mentioned on travel reports in the morning.

    Take a listen to their valiant (but not quite successful) efforts...

    Media caption,

    BBC Somerset presenters struggle to say street names

  11. Hamza Ali: 'I was hoping good things would come to him'published at 19:20 BST 9 June 2016

    After the death of fast bowler Hamza Ali, his friends have come together to pay tribute to him.

    Hamza, 20, was born in Bristol, and had previously represented Hampshire and the MCC Young Cricketers. 

    We spoke to Hampshire all-rounded Gareth Berg about his memories of Hamza...

    Media caption,

    Hamphire all-rounder Gareth Berg speaks to the BBC about the death of cricketer Hamza Ali

  12. EU Referendum: Should we stay or should we go?published at 19:04 BST 9 June 2016

    The EU referendum logo

    In two weeks we make a big decision. Should we stay in, or leave, the European Union. Made up your mind yet?

    BBC Radio Gloucestershire's live EU debate has just kicked off. 

    Panelists include:

    • REMAIN: Phillip Cole: Linguist and translator, former European Parliament worker, chairman of the local branch of Britain Stronger in Europe ·
    • LEAVE: Richard Ford: Businessman, law graduate, former UKIP candidate
    • REMAIN: Simon Pickering: Senior ecologist at Ecotricity
    • LEAVE: Ernie Warrender: Vote Leave spokesman

    The debate's taking place at Stroud High School's Sixth Form Centre and you can listen live online by clicking here or, by the wonders of modern technology, watch a live stream on Facebook., external

  13. The prank Bristol Children's Hospital knew nothing aboutpublished at 18:46 BST 9 June 2016

    It sat there unnoticed for more than 18 months, but this plaque left outside Bristol Children's Hospital has now been attracting a lot of attention.

    Media caption,

    A magical tribute to Bristol Children's Hospital from Cormac Seachoy

    It was created by Cormac Seachoy, who later died of cancer himself. Now, Potter fans from around the world, including J.K. Rowling are paying tribute to Cormac's mischievous plaque prank

  14. Look, pink bales!published at 18:25 BST 9 June 2016

    You might have spotted special pink hay bales popping up around the west recently, they are being used by farmers to promote awareness of breast cancer.

    These are from Heather Venn in Sedgemoor, Somerset...

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  15. It's not quite a needle in a haystack...published at 17:38 BST 9 June 2016

    A total of 1,066 arrows are being hidden at English Heritage's 400 sites across the country - including those in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire & Somerset - to mark 950 years since the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

    Locations such as Hailes Abbey, Bradford-on-Avon's Tithe Barn and Sherborne Old Castle are involved in the competition to get people of all ages understanding more of our past.

    A photo of StonehengeImage source, English Heritage
    Image caption,

    Stonehenge in Wiltshire

    Finders will win one of 1,066 prizes - including a private tour of Stonehenge.

    Read more about the story on BBC News Online and see where the red arrows are hidden, external.

  16. 'Lee is alive' - relief among friends and familypublished at 17:26 BST 9 June 2016

    Endurance cyclist Lee Fancourt is alive.

    Lee FancourtImage source, slam69.co.uk

    Graham Foot has posted a message on Facebook, external saying: "Just had word and seen that our Lee is alive. Nothing more to report but we can all relax."

    The tracker which Lee is using during his 4,300-mile race across the US, has recently started moving again, external.

  17. High-five to 'Pepper' the robotpublished at 16:57 BST 9 June 2016

    Not all robots are the scary type you might see in sci-fi movies.

    At the Cheltenham Science Festival, external, children have been learning about robotics with their humanoid host "Pepper".

    He has been designed to react to human emotions and behaviour and can understand your voice, mood and day-to-day preferences. 

    Apparently Pepper even knows how to play guitar and dance. We think he'd be rather good at doing the robot...geddit?!...

    Media caption,

    Pepper the humainoid has been wowing crowds at Cheltenham Science Festival

  18. Spitfire flypast treat for aviation fans in Gloucestershirepublished at 16:41 BST 9 June 2016

    RAF SpitfireImage source, PA

    Hopefully the skies will be clear tonight for a flypast of an RAF Spitfire in Gloucestershire.

    The aircraft will be taking to the skies to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday as part of the Imjin Music Festival at Innsworth Station.

    The festival, organised by the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, is open to the public and the flypast starts at 7.30pm.

  19. Tributes to River Avon tragedy cricketerpublished at 16:22 BST 9 June 2016

    A man who was born and educated in Bristol has died after getting into difficulties while swimming in the River Avon on Wednesday evening.

    A photo of Hamza AliImage source, Hampshire CCC
    Image caption,

    Hamza Ali, who has died aged 20

    Hamza Ali, 20, was a fast bowler and represented the MCC Young Cricketers and Hampshire. 

    Police were called to the river at Saltford, near Keynsham, and although Hamza was taken to hospital for treatment he later died.

    You can read more on BBC Sport online.