A motorway closure is causing long queues for the second day in a row.The M4 is shut between junctions 18 (for Bath) and 19 (for the M32 and Bristol) while National Highways engineers carry out essential works on the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.Half hour delays are reported at either end of the closure - with eastbound traffic bunching up as far as junction 20. The A46 is also badly affected between the A420 and the M4.The closure…
A once-thriving factory which helped power a town's engineering legacy is set to be torn down. The Elektron building on Woodland Trading Estate, formerly home to Sifam, was a major employer in Torquay, producing electrical instruments and fibre-optic tech in the 1980s. It shut in 2007 after Sifam was bought by Elektron Instruments and the building became a magnet for vandalism and anti-social behaviour, with smashed windows boarded up and the site falling into disrepair.Now, drinks wholesaler Tolchards,…
Householders are being encouraged to swap real candles for battery-powered alternatives this Halloween.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said around one in eight fires began with naked flames such as candles, cigarettes and matches.The fire service said Halloween was one of the highest-risk times of year for these incidents.Kate Saint, head of prevention at the fire service, said: "Switching from traditional candles to battery-operated ones is a simple step that can help decorations and costumes from catching…
Bob Dylan: Through The Open Window – The Bootleg Series, Vol. 18 1956-63 (Columbia Records / Legacy Recordings) CD | LP | DL Released on 31 October 2025 PRE-ORDER HERE Through The Open Window is the latest chapter in Bob Dylan’s Bootleg Series, this time covering the period 1956-63. Serving as a perfect accompaniment to the recent Dylan biopic which covered the period 1961-65, this is another vast collection of songs from the archives which oversees his transformation from…
NewsFeedFor the second week, Palestinian farmers are being blocked, harassed and arrested as they try to undertake the annual olive harvest on their own lands. Israeli soldier and settler violence in the occupied West Bank has surged since the war on Gaza began in October 2023.Published On 26 Oct 202526 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2Share Source link
Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandGetty ImagesSome of the county's tourism areas include Branksome Chine Beach in BournemouthA county's official tourism websites and social media are set to be taken over by new operators.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is stepping back from Bournemouth and Poole's tourism websites and moving away from destination marketing.The Destination Management Board (DMB) and Christchurch Town Council have now set up "Bournemouth and Poole Tourism", which will take over the marketing of the websites and…
Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandFaimly photoBodhi (L) and Frank (R) have become "the best of friends"A father has praised how a therapy dog has been a "brilliant" comfort for his autistic son.Carl, from Bournemouth, said his son Bodhi, 8, has always struggled to make friends, but their German shepherd, Frank the Tank, has been trained to pick up on his body language and support him in public.The dog, who has been trained by the police, replaced their former pet…
People have been urged to share their thoughts on how a park could be improved.A consultation has been launched into the future of Rock Park, in Barnstaple, in Devon.The town council hopes to gather views on how people use the green space and what improvements they would like to see.The consultation closes on 9 January. Mayor of Barnstaple, councillor Janet Coates said: "Rock Park is an important green space for our community." She said: "We want to ensure…
Office of the Police and Crime CommissionerThe items are said to be a glimpse into the historical archivesA collection of thousands of artefacts, documents and photographs charting local policing history is in the process of being digitalised for future generations.The little-known collection of police memorabilia, believed to be the biggest of its kind in the UK, offers a glimpse into the history of policing in Devon and Cornwall.The display is owned and funded by the Office of the…
Pre-match there are plenty of sore heads, which most opt to medicate with a free pint being offered by the Fog on the Tyne pub to the first 100 Truro fans who show up.Gateshead have the lowest average attendance in the National League, but play in a 11,800-capacity stadium designed to also host athletics events and gigs.The home stands are almost entirely empty, the temperature has dropped, and teeth are chattering on the away terrace as Truro kick…
Jonathan Holmes,Bristol and Liam McGuinn,in NailseaBBCJohn Brown has run the shop since 1957The owner of a town's oldest shop is celebrating his 100th birthday.John Brown, owner of John Brown Hardware, built and then opened his shop in Nailsea, North Somerset, in September 1957 with his father.Mr Brown regularly worked in the shop until the age of 98, and still oversees the business. He said he still felt like a "youngster at heart" and was "proud and honoured" to…
A round-up of stories from local newspapers and the BBC from the past week in the West of England. Source link