'Cheese grater' benches and Paddington train vandalised
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.
Our pick of local website stories
One of the two Bathhurst swing bridges in Bristol is going to shut for up to two years from Monday 3 March. The bridge is one of eight harbour bridges which is getting investment from Bristol City Council. You can read the full press release from the council here.150 homes are set to be built near the Taunton Park & Ride, according to Somerset Live.And Downton FC - a team near Salisbury - has started a campaign called 'Pause for Thought' urging people to refrain from posting negative personal comments on social media following the death of Alice Clark, a daughter of one of the club's volunteers.
Our top three from yesterday
What to watch on social media
Ian Holloway has been crowned League Two's Manager of the Month. Swindon Town were bottom of the league at the start of December but have gone on a tremendous run in 2025.A GWR train with Paddington Bear on it has been vandalised with graffiti.Following flooding in the town, Bradford-on-Avon Town Council are seeing some success in drying out St Margaret's Hall, which may mean the authority does not have to replace the flooring.A swan which crash landed into the middle of a road has recovered and has been released back into the wild, which you can see here – posted by Secret World Wildlife Rescue. Sadly, young swans have a habit of crash-landing on to roads, according to wildlife experts.And there's talk in the Spotted Trowbridge of making a calendar of residents posing on the divisive new 'cheese grater' benches in the town, which have been compared to upturned bins.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Organisers cancel Leith Festival gala day due to ‘dangerous thunder and lightning'
Leith Festival organisers have been forced to cancel one of its flagship events 'due to appalling weather and dangerous thunder and lightning'. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Gala Day, which was scheduled to run from 10am to 5pm at Leith Links on Saturday (June 14), included live music, a range of activities and local trader stalls and its 'ever popular dog show'. But after hours of 'appalling weather' staff made the difficult decision to close the event due to safety reasons. The annual event, which dates back to 1907, will run until next Sunday, with festival highlights including the Community Tattoo on June 22 between 2pm and 4pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Writing on social media, organisers said: 'Due to appalling weather and dangerous thunder and lightning. For safety reasons we are closing the gala day event. This was not an easy decision.' They added: 'We did try persevere but today the weather was not on our side. Thanks to all traders and public that braced the weather.' Reacting to the news, one resident said: 'Such a shame but safety must come first. Well done to everyone today for trying to make it happen' whilst another added: 'Really feel for you. Know how much work you put into organising the event.' Leith councillor, Katrina Faccenda, added: 'So sorry for all of you who I know put so much work into organising this event. Thank you for all of your hard work for Leith and looking forward to next week's Tattoo. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But Taylors Funfair, which is also located at Leith Links, is still scheduled to remain open until 9pm tonight. Providing an update, funfair organisers said: 'Despite the heavy rain this morning, Taylor's of Edinburgh Funfair is OPEN and ready to welcome you! 'While the Leith Gala may be cancelled, we're here for the people of Edinburgh - bringing the joy, the lights, and the laughter, no matter the weather. The skies are already looking brighter, and so is the spirit of our amazing city. Come along, support your local funfair, and let's make magical memories together!'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Secret strain behind Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom ending their engagement
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have reportedly split following a 'rough patch' in their relationship, with the pair struggling to fix issues that have crept up of late The real reason Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have called it quits has reportedly been revealed. Earlier this week, it was reported that the American singer and the British actor had "quietly ended their engagement" but are apparently planning to wait until Katy's tour concludes at the end of this year. Neither Katy, 40, nor Orlando, 48, has yet to confirm or deny the rumours but those close to the on-off couple have hinted the split is more of "a rough patch" and the two stars are in a battle to fix their relationship before it's too late. Katy, previously married to British comedian Russell Brand, and the Pirates of the Caribbean actor began their love story back in 2016. Their romantic journey peaked with an engagement three years later, just ahead of Daisy's arrival in 2020. The pair did split briefly at the start of their relationship before finding their way back to one another and reuniting for good. However, it seems their nearly ten-year liaison is reportedly on the ropes due to recent professional struggles for Katy. "There aren't many people she can dump her emotions on, but obviously she can with Orlando. But with his work and juggling parenting, life as of late has put a strain on their relationship," a source has said amid the speculation. It's been a tough time professionally for Katy of late, with the award-winning singer facing embarrassment after critics lambasted her latest album, and her space adventure invited further criticism, leaving the 'I Kissed A Girl' singer under intense scrutiny and putting a strain on her relationship. But all is not lost, with the insider added that Katy and Orlando are going through a rough patch "but it's not at the point of no return." They told the DailyMail: "They know they must fix things, and they both want to figure it out. They haven't been able to sit down and work on some of their issues. A breakup isn't imminent, but they both know that they should focus on their relationship before it does become too late." Other sources allege that the lacklustre performance of Katy's album titled '143' put a strain on their bond, as Orlando tried to be supportive. PageSix suggests the couple are biding time until the conclusion of Katy's 'Lifetimes' tour on December 7 before going public with their separation. "It's over," confided the insider. "They're just waiting until the tour is done before they split." The Mirror has previously approached Katy and Orlando's representatives for a comment regarding these claims. Amid the drama, Katy has shared a charming behind-the-scenes clip of her five-year-old daughter Daisy Dove American singer posted a collection of pictures and videos to Instagram on Friday showing 'tidbits' from her world tour so far. Katy, 40, is currently performing the Australian leg of her Lifetimes Tour, playing a series of shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney. "Tour liffffffeeee side quest tid bits," she captioned the post, which showed Katy inhaling helium from a balloon, posing with her tour dancers and holding the key to Oklahoma City. One clip, taken in Katy's hotel room at Capella Sydney, showed Daisy Dove hiding behind a curtain and singing as her mum filmed the special moment. 'The part where Daisy was playing behind the curtains warmed my heart,' one fan wrote in the comments section. Rumours that Katy is newly single intensified when the Road hitmaker made a telling comment on stage during a recent performance. The mum-of-one was performing the third of her Sydney concerts on Tuesday night when she was handed a packet of Tim Tam chocolate biscuits. Katy was in the middle of performing of her 2008 heartbreak anthem I'm Still Breathing when she opened the packet and ate one of the treats. "This song is about a breakup, and this Tim Tam saved me," the pop icon told the crowd during the brief interlude. "Thank you," she continued, before resuming her performance whilst kneeling down and offering biscuits to the front row audience members. Her remark about enduring a 'breakup' has only fuelled recent rumours that Katy and Orlando are encountering some difficulties.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Huge TV star is unlikely heir to Paddington Bear fortune and selling £2.8m home
The Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm has become a huge hit with viewers and now two of the stars are looking to sell their properties as they aim to boost their bank balances Two stars from the Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm are looking to boost their bank balances as they list their properties on the market for some eye-watering figures - with one of the lavish houses having a link to a very iconic British institution. Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson 's childhood home, Rowland Bridge House, is on the market for a whopping £1.5 million, while one of his co-stars is looking to sell their £2.8 million Cotswolds country home in a raffle! Located in the historic market town of Tickhill, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Clarkson's childhood home is a Grade II listed property that boasts five bedrooms, three bathrooms, four reception rooms, and a 'large living kitchen'. The Clarkson family moved into this 17th-century detached house back in 1987. Jeremy lived there with his mother Shirley, who famously crafted the world's first 'plush' Paddington Bear, initially without authorisation from the character's creator, Michael Bond. Clarkson's mother hadn't asked for permission to use the bear's likeness, but all worked out for her after Bond bumped into Shirley and her husband Eddie and struck up a friendship with the couple and officially awarded her company the licence. The author recalled to The Sunday Times in 2014: "I got in the lift with Shirley and Eddie. They were terribly nice and pretended it had all been a mistake - and we were friends by the time we got out of the lift. I gave them a licence." Bond's approval helped Shirley set up a fortune for the Clarkson family, with her Paddington venture allowing the income she generated through Paddington Bear to fund her son's private school education which helped launch his career in showbuisnsess. She once told AutoTrader magazine: "I've got a Paddington bear on the dashboard of my car. I looked at it recently and thought if it hadn't been for the success of the toys, Jeremy wouldn't have had all the chances he's had in life." Just a stone's throw away from Hill House School, where Clarkson spent his school years, the property offers waterside views over a large duck pond, This two-storey property, complete with a walled south-facing garden and orangery, is now up for grabs with a guide price of £1,475,000. The 5,000 square-foot home, which is just a two-hour journey from London by public transport, comes fully equipped with a range of Miele appliances, including an Aga cooker, and features a laundry and utilities room. Additional perks include a security system, integrated multimedia system, smart heating, and an outdoor kitchen. The main bedroom boasts an en-suite bathroom with a freestanding roll-top bath, and a dressing room. Other features include a conservatory, and a detached garage block with a workshop, gardener's toilet, and a self-contained office and gym. Nick Talbot from Lister Haigh highlighted the captivating past of Rowland Bridge House: "Rowland Bridge House is full of history and during the 1970s it was the childhood home of motoring journalist and star of Clarkson's Farm, Jeremy Clarkson." Nick then added: "It's also where he famously played with the world's first ever Paddington Bear, after his mother, Shirley Clarkson, started making the soft toys without consent. However, she was later granted licencing rights by Paddington's author, Michael Bond, to manufacture and export the bears throughout the world." Commenting on the features of the home, Nick was enthusiastic: "It's a magnificent family home in the highly sought after, historic and picturesque market town of Tickhill which is very popular due to its excellent range of independent shops, restaurants, and amenities, as well as offering easy access to the A1(M), M18 and M62." He also mentioned the appealing mix of old-world allure and contemporary comforts found in the home: "The property blends period features and charm with an excellent finish, which includes media and sound systems together with remote heating and security systems, which will all appeal to buyers looking for a standout family home." It's noted that the Clarksons sold the greatly-loved house back in 2016, and it's now believed to be owned by a semi-retired estate agent. Rachel Hawkins, who assisted Clarkson in launching his Cotswolds pub The Farmer's Dog, resides nearby the presenter's site and is now raffling off her £2.8 million country home. The hospitality entrepreneur, known for reviving dilapidated pubs, has put her six-bedroom house located in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold up for grabs with tickets starting at just £10. Rachel, along with her long-term partner Will Kennedy, moved into the property in November 2015 after purchasing it for £750,000. The 40-year-old star has decided to relocate with Will and their five dogs, opting for an unconventional method to sell their home. The detached 4,000sq ft property is perfect for hosting, should any of the increasing number of Cotswolds A-listers decide to drop by, boasting a unique bar area. It also features a living area and a kitchen with dining space, flanked by a separate dining room on one side and a stylish family room on the other. The family room comes with bi-fold doors that open onto a stone terrace, complete with a garden room for sunny days. The ground floor also houses a cosy sitting room, study and cellar, as well as visitor-friendly features such as a boot room for wellies and a custom-made dog bed. The two upper floors of the Cotswold stone house accommodate six bedrooms, each with its own en suite. A spacious master suite, several guest rooms and a quirky loft room with two single beds tucked under the eaves of the house make it an ideal home for those who love to host. The plush residence comes fully furnished with chic furniture, and Raffle House also takes care of the stamp duty costs and fees, ensuring the lucky winner can move in without any additional expenses.
