Summary

  • Updates for Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare on Thursday, 2 June 2016.

  1. Goodbye for now but don't forget Friday is BBC Music Daypublished at 15:00 BST 2 June 2016

    Bridge

    Tomorrow is BBC Music Day and Bristol is playing an important part in the celebrations.

    The events include Amy Wadge's special composition (with support from Only Men Aloud) to celebrate 50 years of the Severn Bridge.

    To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the iconic BBC Home Service programme Workers' Playtime (listen to the clip above), Will Young will be performing live from a herbal tea warehouse in Bristol at 11am.

    Shaun and his friendsImage source, Aardman Animations

    And Aardman Animations are marking their fourth decade with a special performance at Bristol's Colston Hall, external. 

    Shaun the Sheep is inviting children to join his Vegetable Orchestra for a live performance from 1pm. 

    There's a workshop to create vegetable instruments and learn the Shaun the Sheep theme song, followed by an Aardman birthday singalong and cake presentation.

    BBC Local Live will be following all these events and we'll be back at 7am.

    You can also follow the proceedings by tuning in to your BBC local radio station from 5am.

  2. 'Disappointing outcome' as Little Stoke Parkrun shut downpublished at 14:36 BST 2 June 2016

    ParkrunImage source, Getty Images

    The organisers of Bristol's Parkrun say it is with "great regret" that they are closing the Little Stoke event.

    In April Stoke Gifford Parish Council, which looks after the park, voted to charge organisers to help with the park's upkeep.

    But Parkrun said the move went "against its most fundamental principles", saying that asking people to pay was something it was "unable to do"

    Tom Williams, Parkrun's chief executive said he felt a great sense of sadness.

    "However I also feel a phenomenal sense of pride in how the Little Stoke Parkrun community has dealt with this extremely challenging situation. 

    "From start to finish they have gone above and beyond what I would ever have expected from a volunteer team, and they could have done no more."

  3. Protesters agree to leave Avonmouth house 'by Monday'published at 14:26 BST 2 June 2016

    Avonmouth protest

    Protesters who have been occupying a house in Avonmouth say they will leave the building by Monday.

    It is understood they’ve reached an "agreement" with the council which will see the sale of 44 Richmond Street being reversed.

    It's not clear whether the property will revert to council ownership or if the current sale is halted.

    The occupiers say they are protesting over the treatment of a homeless single father by the council.

    Last month, BBC Radio Bristol reported elected mayor Marvin Rees had asked officers to find "a creative solution" to the issue without taking eviction action. 

  4. Zika virus captured in glass by Bristol artist Luke Jerrampublished at 13:13 BST 2 June 2016

    The artist behind the Bristol slide has made a new glass pathogen to add to his sculpture collection.

    The Zika virus has sparked a global public health emergency after being suspected of leading to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.

    Mr Jerram said he made the artwork, external, which is 10cm in diameter, to contemplate its global impact.

    Zika virusImage source, Luke Jerram
    Zika VirusImage source, Luke Jerram
  5. Queen's Voluntary Award given to Clevedon Marine Lake enthusiastspublished at 12:50 BST 2 June 2016

    SwimmerImage source, PA

    Enthusiasts at Clevedon's Marine Lake have won The Queen's Voluntary Award in the Environment and regeneration category

    Given on 2 June every year the accolade recognises organisations as diverse as an appreciation society for pens and an entertainment magazine featuring an appraisal of Harry Styles' acting skills.

    The Marine Lake Enthusiasts - or Marlens - look after the Clevedon Marine Lake in North Somerset.

    It is a body of water made by enclosing part of Salthouse Bay and was first documented in meeting records as far back as 1896. 

    It opened in 1929, becoming popular with fashionable bathers and is equipped with changing cubicles, deckchairs, a diving platform and a pavilion.

  6. Patchway manslaughter accused released without chargepublished at 12:33 BST 2 June 2016

    Street signImage source, Google

    A 42-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has been released without charge.

    Emergency services were called to Rodway Road, Patchway at about 13:00 BST on Monday following the discovery of a woman's body.

    Officers had been treating the death as unexplained.

    "Following a post-mortem examination which concluded the death was not suspicious the suspect was released without charge," a force spokesman said.

  7. 100th birthday surprise for former guardsmanpublished at 12:08 BST 2 June 2016

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  8. Spinner Taylor suspended from bowlingpublished at 11:29 BST 2 June 2016

    Gloucestershire spinner Jack Taylor is suspended from bowling after being reported for a suspected illegal action.

    Read More
  9. What can we do about Bristol's traffic congestion?: You have your saypublished at 10:20 BST 2 June 2016

    Traffic at nightImage source, Thinkstock

    Earlier we told you about a report which claims traffic speed on main roads in Bristol are among the slowest in the country.

    You've been having your say on our Facebook page., external

    Jason Dando says: "Walk, cycle, bus...too many non essential journeys by car.... open up the unused railway lines. The traffic situation is strangling bristol... to the point people will not visit or work in the city because of it."

    Matt Morris asks: "Is it any surprise with the Metrobus induced car park that we currently have? It'd be interesting to understand what's happened to traffic in places like Liverpool where they canned Bus lanes completely - because I think that is the way things need to go, not more bus lanes!".

    Chris Lindsey suggests putting conductors on buses in city limits and remove 20 mph limit.

    And Ruth Bettie says she's not surprised: "I'm Bristol born and bred but now live in South Staffordshire. When I drive down to Bristol to see family the journey is in two halves. 95 miles on M5 and 8 miles across Bristol. Both halves of the journey take the same amount of time." 

  10. Concerns over 'sinking' Stoke Gifford war memorialpublished at 09:21 BST 2 June 2016

    Stoke Gifford's war memorial is said to be slowly sinking into the ground and some residents fear it could get even worse if funds are not invested in its restoration soon.The parish council is contributing £2,000 towards it, but the community needs to find an extra £3,500 to stop the memorial from sinking.

  11. Worle Community School Ofsted report 'about as bad as it gets' MP sayspublished at 08:47 BST 2 June 2016

    Worle Community School

    Yesterday we told you about Worle Community School in Weston which was rated as "inadequate" by Ofsted inspectors.

    Commenting on the report the town's MP, John Penrose, said "overall... this report is about as bad as it gets".

    "The head teacher and chair of governors have both left and, clearly, we need a steady hand to start turning things around as fast as possible.

    "The good news is that senior staff from nearby Priory School, an academy that Ofsted recently ranked as 'Outstanding’, have agreed to come in to sort the problems out." 

    The Conservative MP added he hoped staff, pupils, their parents and the community will support them "to get things moving in the right direction". 

  12. Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams supports anti-bullying campaignpublished at 08:27 BST 2 June 2016

    Maisie Williams

    Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams, who's from Somerset, will be telling us why she's supporting an anti-bullying event in Bath. 

    Maisie has talked about the bullying she suffered when she started appearing on TV. 

    She's now supporting a NSPCC Summer Ball this weekend which is raising money for anti-bullying projects. 

    And you can see the interview with Maisie on BBC Points West tonight at 6.30pm.

  13. Bristol's roads 'among the slowest'published at 08:09 BST 2 June 2016

    Traffic jamImage source, Think

    A new report claims that traffic speed on main roads in Bristol is now among the slowest in the country.

    The report, from the campaign group Greener Journeys, claims the average speed on A-roads in the city is less than 15mph. 

    It says road congestion has reached "saturation point" in Bristol, London and Manchester.

  14. Bird's eye view of Tyntesfield Housepublished at 07:33 BST 2 June 2016

    Tyntesfield House, National Trust propertyImage source, National Trust

    The National Trust has deployed its drone to take these stunning photos of Tyntesfield House.

    They were lucky with the weather as the house does look glorious bathed in sunshine.

    Tyntesfield House, National Trust propertyImage source, National Trust

    However if you're tempted to use a drone on National Trust grounds, think again, as it's not allowed in case the aircraft causes damage.

  15. A chilly start but sunshine promised for laterpublished at 07:16 BST 2 June 2016

    Weather

    Good morning from BBC Local for Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare.

    It'll be a largely dry and bright start to the day, with any cloud gradually breaking up to leave a sunny afternoon with light winds. 

    It will feel warm in the unbroken sunshine by this afternoon.