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BBC News
20-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Sheep brought in to maintain ancient Bristol Downs grazing rights
A flock of sheep has been enjoying one of Bristol's popular open spaces for the day to help keep an historic grazing law ewes and three lambs joined primary school children and residents on Durdham Down so that local groups and householders could exercise their rights to graze their sheep on the to the Downs Act of 1861, commoners must tether at least one sheep for one day every five years to keep the privileges Stevens, from Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project, said: "There's always been a bit of mystery about exactly how often it has to be done - however we go with every five years because it's easy to remember." Nearly 450 acres of open grassland was bought by the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV) and the city council between 1700 and 1860, according to Robert Bournes from the SMV."The Merchant Venturers bought what was called the Manor of Clifton and the city council bought the Manor of Henbury and they're alongside each other here on the Downs," he said."In 1861 [they] decided to put their resources together under the Downs Act - to look after the Downs for the benefit of the people of Bristol." Under the act, 13 groups or individuals who have property bordering the Downs have the right to let loose up to 1,885 sheep on the include the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens, Badminton School, Trinity College, St Monica Trust as well as individual hundreds of sheep were grazed on the Downs and up until 1925 a full-time shepherd was employed to look after as the volume of motor traffic increased it started putting livestock at risk and the flocks were removed. Shepherdess Melinda Baker, who travelled up to Bristol from Somerset with her small flock of sheep, said it was a "historical right of commoners"."The sheep look very fitting here," she said."Unfortunately in modern-day life, we can't have them here free ranging, but in a pen for today it's just perfect." 'Stepping in poo' In a bid to keep the medieval rights of pasturage alive, the flock of of black Welsh mountain sheep were joined by more than 80 children from local Ted, said the school trip to the Downs had been "very cool"."We've been exploring the place and some people have been feeding the lambs and sheep," he said."[The sheep] are very clumsy and we keep stepping in their poo and everyone finds it very disgusting."
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bristol in Pictures: The sweet taste of victory
It's been all about the winning feeling in Bristol this week, with American footballers from UWE, choir members from Badminton School and hotel staff all taking home trophies and awards. There was also a high-scoring victory for the Bears at Ashton Gate, and the end of a hit musical at the Hippodrome. To round off the week, a Tour de France winner dropped in at the Redgrave Theatre. Tryfest: Bristol Bears won an extraordinary match against Exeter at Ashton Gate on Saturday evening, coming out on top in a 14-try thriller that had drama and points galore. Dare to care: Hundreds of people marched through the city centre on Saturday evening to highlight the essential work of mothers, parents and carers in an event called Shine a Light on Care. A colourful show: Thousands of theatre fans have been heading to the Hippodrome to see Joe McElderry in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which finished its run on Saturday. Next up at the city centre theatre is West End Alive. Sporting heroes: UWE's American football team the Bullets have continued their dominance in British university American football, claiming their fourth successive BUCS National Championship with a 42-12 win over the Nottingham Gold last weekend. The winning team: Badminton School's chamber choir Schola Cantorum, has won the Girls' School Association's (GSA) Senior Choir of the Year 2025 Competition, taking the title after performing along with schools from across the country in the grand final in Warwick on Sunday. Hotel heroes: More than 450 people attended the seventh 'Night of the Stars' at Ashton Gate, a gala evening organised by the Bristol Hoteliers Association to celebrate teams and individual staff working in the city's hospitality industry. Practice makes perfect: Every week members of the Bristol Choral Society gather to rehearse in the council house. One of the largest choirs in the city, they are currently preparing to perform works by Handel at Scarlatti at Bristol Cathedral on 29 March. Legend in town: The Redgrave Theatre was packed out on Friday night for an evening with Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins. Home comforts: Bristol Rovers enjoyed a win against a promotion-chasing side with a 3-2 victory against Bolton Wanderers at the Memorial Stadium. A royal visit: HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh visited the University of Bristol on Thursday to learn about a world-leading study aimed at achieving scar-free healing. The Duchess, who is Royal Patron of The Scar Free Foundation, met with the research team working on the project. Community hub: Local businesses are able to get free support and advice at the Share Bristol Community Hub in the heart of Bedminster at 47 East Street. It is hosting 16 days of events and activities as part of this year's Bristol Community Festival which is running until 6 April. Red letter day: Bristol City took on Charlton at Ashton Gate in a contest of two teams nicknamed The Robins. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. The revving rev: They've welcomed a new vicar in Backwell, with a special service at St Andrew's Church to celebrate the arrival of the Reverend Sam Norton, a motorcycle-loving man of the cloth. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Bristol in Pictures: All the city's a stage Bristol in pictures: Sunsets and signs of spring Bristol in Pictures: Emerging from the gloom Bristol in Pictures: Faces in the crowd Bristol in Pictures: Royals, Rovers and remembering Bristol in Pictures: Let there be light Bristol in pictures: Reasons to be cheerful Bristol in pictures: Lanterns light up the gloom Bristol in pictures: Scenes from across the city Bristol in pictures: Emotional moments of 2024 Bristol in pictures: Not long to go now... 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BBC News
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol in Pictures: City, Rovers, the Bears and Bradley Wiggins
It's been all about the winning feeling in Bristol this week, with American footballers from UWE, choir members from Badminton School and hotel staff all taking home trophies and was also a high-scoring victory for the Bears at Ashton Gate, and the end of a hit musical at the round off the week, a Tour de France winner dropped in at the Redgrave Theatre. Tryfest: Bristol Bears won an extraordinary match against Exeter at Ashton Gate on Saturday evening, coming out on top in a 14-try thriller that had drama and points galore. Dare to care: Hundreds of people marched through the city centre on Saturday evening to highlight the essential work of mothers, parents and carers in an event called Shine a Light on Care. A colourful show: Thousands of theatre fans have been heading to the Hippodrome to see Joe McElderry in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which finished its run on Saturday. Next up at the city centre theatre is West End Alive. Sporting heroes: UWE's American football team the Bullets have continued their dominance in British university American football, claiming their fourth successive BUCS National Championship with a 42-12 win over the Nottingham Gold last weekend. The winning team: Badminton School's chamber choir Schola Cantorum, has won the Girls' School Association's (GSA) Senior Choir of the Year 2025 Competition, taking the title after performing along with schools from across the country in the grand final in Warwick on Sunday. Hotel heroes: More than 450 people attended the seventh 'Night of the Stars' at Ashton Gate, a gala evening organised by the Bristol Hoteliers Association to celebrate teams and individual staff working in the city's hospitality industry. Practice makes perfect: Every week members of the Bristol Choral Society gather to rehearse in the council house. One of the largest choirs in the city, they are currently preparing to perform works by Handel at Scarlatti at Bristol Cathedral on 29 March. Legend in town: The Redgrave Theatre was packed out on Friday night for an evening with Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins. Home comforts: Bristol Rovers enjoyed a win against a promotion-chasing side with a 3-2 victory against Bolton Wanderers at the Memorial Stadium. A royal visit: HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh visited the University of Bristol on Thursday to learn about a world-leading study aimed at achieving scar-free healing. The Duchess, who is Royal Patron of The Scar Free Foundation, met with the research team working on the project. Community hub: Local businesses are able to get free support and advice at the Share Bristol Community Hub in the heart of Bedminster at 47 East Street. It is hosting 16 days of events and activities as part of this year's Bristol Community Festival which is running until 6 April. Red letter day: Bristol City took on Charlton at Ashton Gate in a contest of two teams nicknamed The Robins. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. The revving rev: They've welcomed a new vicar in Backwell, with a special service at St Andrew's Church to celebrate the arrival of the Reverend Sam Norton, a motorcycle-loving man of the cloth.