Latest news with #CastlePark
BBC News
20-07-2025
- BBC News
Northampton heritage poles installed on site of former castle
Heritage poles have been installed at a historic site near a town centre that is being transformed into a park. West Northamptonshire Council said the decorated posts would celebrate the "rich and diverse history" of Northampton and be a legacy to the castle that once stood there. Work to create Castle Park on a former car park near the town's railway station began in project, which aims to increase footfall in the area and support local businesses, is due to be completed by late summer. The poles would "guide visitors through centuries of local history, enhancing the cultural experience of the park and connecting key historical landmarks", the council said. The development will feature a castle-themed play area, community garden and a walking trail that follows the footprint of the original Northampton Castle wall. The castle was originally built in 1084 but fell into disrepair and was demolished in council leader, Reform UK councillor James Petter said: "These heritage poles aren't just decoration, they're a statement. A reminder that Northampton's rich heritage and culture matter. "Each pole tells part of our town's story, from industry to royalty, rebellion to resilience." Alistair Weir from contractors Jeakins Weir said the installations were "one of the most visually striking moments so far". "It is great to see the progress we are making on delivering a welcoming, engaging space for the community," he said. "Seeing them in place brings the vision to life in a powerful way."The work has been funded by £1.6m from the government's Towns Fund, developer contributions and the council. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol Pride 2025: What you need to know about parade and festival
Tens of thousands of people are set to come together to celebrate Pride in Bristol.A parade, festival, afterparties and hundreds of performers will be in the city for one of the UK's largest Pride events. With so much on offer, planning for Pride Day can seem daunting - especially if it is your first help, here is everything you need to know to make the most of the celebrations. When is Bristol Pride? Pride celebrations will take place on Saturday in Bristol. Events will start in the morning and finish late at night. How do I see the Bristol Pride parade? The Pride march is open to anyone who wants to celebrate and is a walking parade, with vehicles and floats forbidden. People will begin to gather at 10:00 BST at the bandstand end of Castle Park and the march will set off at about 10:45. The parade is not sectioned and there are no specific business blocks, meaning everyone is free to route is two miles (3.2km) long and will take about an hour to complete, ending in the Amphitheatre at Bristol's Harbourside. How do I get to the festival? Once the parade has arrived at the Amphitheatre, people can head to the will be shuttle buses waiting to take people up to the site on the Bus travel is free across the whole day for supporter wristband holders, who will receive instructions on how to activate their ticket through the First Bus app. Do I need a ticket for Bristol Pride? Strictly speaking, no. Bristol Pride remains a donation-only with supporter wristbands - which cost between £9 and £45 - will have access to benefits ranging from free travel and food and drink discounts to fast track entry to the official afterparty and a welcome drink. Who is on the line-up for Bristol Pride festival? There will be more than 200 performers across five stages at the festival on the will kick off on the main stage from 12:45 BST, ahead of a further nine hours of festival will be headlined by Canadian singer-songwriter, Allie X, who will perform at 20:25 BST and be the finale to a day featuring the likes of Cascada, Kim Wilde and local comedian Jayde are four other stages at the festival - Cabaret, Uplift, the Pride Circus Tent and the Dance Performance Stage - all of which have a full programme throughout the day. What is there for kids to do? There is a dedicated family area at the festival, with organisers saying there will be something for kids of all ages to and children's author Pop'N'Olly will bring interactive performances celebrating diversity and inclusion for will be all-day arts and crafts and a number of other activities. What is the weather forecast for Bristol Pride? Pack lots of sun cream and a hat as temperatures are expected to rise by the Met Office has predicted highs of 32C in Bristol on Saturday, so make sure to stay hydrated and in the shade, where possible. Where can I go for a Pride afterparty? If you still have some energy after all that, the official afterparty gets underway at the O2 Academy Bristol from 22:00 event will be headlined by the likes of Guilty Pleasures, Jonbers Blonde (DJ Set) and Dirty Pop - with tickets costing £ are also events at other venues across the city, including Basement45 and Lost Horizon.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- BBC News
'Emergency' gas works close Dorchester road for six weeks
Six weeks of delays are expected in a market town as "emergency" gas works are carried repairs have shut part of Maiden Castle Road in Dorchester - one of the most popular short cuts for motorists heading to and from Dorset County Hospital and County road was previously closed in mid-March in the same section when a gas leak was discovered, which coincided with temporary traffic lights at Maumbury Cross for pedestrian crossing are in place with access available for Castle Park residents via the western end of Celtic Crescent or Brittania Way. Both Dorset Council and SGN, the gas provider, have been approached for diversion signs have described the works as being an "emergency". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
North Tyneside Council 'cannot keep repairing vandal hit park'
Repairs to rectify a "long history of vandalism" at a popular play park are becoming too costly, a council has Park Playground in Backworth, North Tyneside, has been targeted by repeated vandalism since the early incidents led North Tyneside Council to install a durable surface designed to cover and protect damaged areas of the playground at a cost of £16, the council says a new area of rubber surfacing has recently been ripped, causing a small deep hole. They said the new surfacing had so far "withstood attempts to damage it, including efforts to melt it using electric scooters".Although the hole was being fixed, the council said the authority did not have the budget to "carry out ongoing repairs of this scale".The site had its play area removed in 2007 after continuous damage became too expensive to maintain, with a new playground added in 2013. Castle Park is overlooked by homes and regularly used by dog walkers, families and people travelling to and from bus stops nearby, but the council said the incidents were "rarely reported".Hannah Johnson, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Play areas are incredibly important to local families so it's really frustrating to see them damaged, especially repeatedly. "A significant amount of resources has been invested in this site over recent years to address ongoing issues. "Continued vandalism not only undermines these efforts but also places additional strain on maintenance and repair services. "We are committed to keeping the playground a safe and enjoyable space for everyone." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Headlines: New Gromit sculpture trail characters revealed
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 Bristol Live has spoken to readers who say there is a "foul stench" in Castle bus shelters have received a modern facelift with digital screens providing up-to-date information, the Swindon Advertiser Punchline reports on a new initiative in Gloucestershire launched to crackdown on modern slavery. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media New characters in the upcoming Gromit Unleashed sculpture trail in Bristol have been released, including what they'll look like.A lot of people in Bath are chatting about preparations for the Robbie Williams gig in Royal Crescent on Friday and Longleat has released a video of some of the sounds heard from nature during sunrise.
