Latest news with #RiverAvon
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Bath's second-half revival carries them past Bristol and into Premiership final
Bath's oval-ball custodians have spent years trying – and failing – to construct a team to match the striking nature of their home city. Now, finally, they are within 80 minutes of claiming their first domestic league title since 1995-96 after a storming second-half revival put paid to a gallant Bristol side who had led by seven points at half-time. If the outcome was still theoretically up in the air at the interval there was not a shred of doubt by the hour mark, Bath launching a blistering fusillade that yielded four converted tries without reply and underlined their status as short-priced favourites to lift the Premiership trophy at Twickenham next Saturday. The final margin was slightly harsh on a Bears team who played a full part in a stonking contest that, once again, ticked pretty much every box from an entertainment perspective. Bristol were thrilling to watch in the first half but never quite managed to build the kind of scoreboard pressure that might have caused a famous upset, eventually disappearing beneath a quartet of third-quarter tries from Ted Hill, Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir and Max Ojomoh, all converted by a nerveless Finn Russell. It was always destined to be a passion-filled evening on the banks of the River Avon and a fast and furious game matched the febrile atmosphere. Bristol had won 11 of the last 14 matches between the clubs and their director of rugby, Pat Lam, had made a few pointed remarks about Bath's more expensively-assembled squad. He also revealed he had advised his wife not to attend because of the probability of being soaked if she sat out with the travelling Bears' fans in the famously exposed – not to mention pricey – open stand at the Rec. Never trust a long-range West Country weather forecast. As it turned out the rain held off and conditions were perfect. Particularly so for the visitors, whose game is better suited to a dry ball. On this type of occasion, against the side who topped the regular season table by 11 points, they needed every little bonus they could find. And despite an initial surge of Bath forward pressure it was the Bears who enjoyed the lion's share of the early points. AJ MacGinty slotted the game's first points after Guy Pepper was slightly too enthusiastic at the breakdown and a shaken Bath found themselves 10 points down when a spectacular long-range counterattack launched by Kalaveti Ravouvou and some deft forward interplay ended with the second row James Dun galloping over by the posts. Dun's father Andy was once a Bristol stalwart and the whole crackling occasion felt deeply personal, with more than bragging rights at stake. It was definitely not helpful to the Bears' cause, then, when Ravouvou was shown a yellow card for trying to stop Bath taking a quick tap and cost his side a further three points in the process. Even with 14 men, though, Bristol kept on coming. Bath's defence were pulled this way and that, the point of attack constantly shifting. Only a desperate rearguard action prevented the Bears from scoring another belting multi-phase try and a botched lineout drill five metres out then allowed Bath to escape again. When Bristol do flick the turbo switch they look irresistible but games of top-level rugby are not definitively settled inside the first 40 minutes, particularly at this venue. Bath's strength in depth has frequently been their trump card this season so it was doubly worrying for the Bears when the effervescent Harry Randall was led groggily away to the changing rooms and replaced by Kieran Marmion. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion A penalty just before the interval from MacGinty, though, extended Bristol's advantage to 13-6 and caused a slight hush to fall around the ground. Losing in the final is one thing but going down at home to Bristol in a massive semi-final? The onus was on Bath's familiar matchwinners to come up with the antidote to the onrushing grizzly Bears for whom Viliame Mata, Steven Luatua and Bernhard Janse van Rensburg were all exerting their usual influence. And, sure enough, in the first 19 minutes after the restart four servings of much-needed relief duly materialised. First the visitors messed up the restart, conceded a soft penalty and gave Bath the platform from which to launch a purposeful attack which ended with Hill scoring in the left corner. Russell's wide-angled conversion was a further bonus and there was even better to come, a horrible bounce eluding Ravouvou and allowing Cokanasiga to strike. Now the tide was turning and some tight refereeing calls were also going Bath's way. A pass by Noah Heward was adjudged fractionally forward and, once again, the home side were instantly energised. Muir crashed over in the left corner to extend the lead further and, within five minutes with Bristol again down to 14 players, Ojomoh inflicted further damage. Even when sorely tested this stacked Bath squad tend to come up with a resounding answer.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lost Turner oil painting found after 150 years
Turner's first ever exhibited oil painting is to be put up for auction after being lost for more 150 years. The Rising Squall, features a dramatic view of a former hot spring and spa in Bristol seen from east bank of the River Avon, before Clifton Suspension Bridge was built. It made its way around the world and returned to the UK but was unknown as a Turner masterpiece for more than a century. His signature was revealed after the painting was cleaned last year. The artwork will displayed in a public exhibition at Sotheby's, in London, between 28 June and 1 July before it is auctioned with an estimated value of up to £300,000. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Julian Gascoigne, Sotheby's senior specialist, said: "It's a fascinating and very instructive insight into his early style." He added the painting represents Turner, famed as a watercolourist, as a teenage artist with "ambition and skill" in his early experiments an oil painter. The painting made its debut at the Royal Academy in 1793, three days after Turner's 18th birthday, before being bought by Reverend Robert Nixon, a customer of his father's barber shop. Reverend Nixon's son inherited the painting after his death, Mr Gascoigne said, adding it then fell "into obscurity" having last been exhibited in Tasmania, Australia, in 1858. Mr Gascoigne said: "Bristol would have been a very natural place for a young artist based in London to get to relatively easily and relatively cheaply, but would provide him with the sort of dramatic, sublime, picturesque landscape that he was seeking." There was early mention of the painting in obituaries of Turner's life but for at least a century it was mistaken for a watercolour, meaning it was missing from the catalogue of his exhibited oil paintings. Up until the discovery last year during a restoration project, experts believed Turner's earliest exhibited oil was the Fisherman at Sea painting. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Tracey Emin love letter to light up Turner gallery Watch: How Turner's masterpieces inspired a BBC Weather forecaster Turner prints on show for first time in 100 years Sotheby's
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
One of JMW Turner's first paintings rediscovered after 150 years
Turner's first ever exhibited oil painting is to be put up for auction after being lost for more 150 Rising Squall, features a dramatic view of a former hot spring and spa in Bristol seen from east bank of the River Avon, before Clifton Suspension Bridge was built. It made its way around the world and returned to the UK but was unknown as a Turner masterpiece for more than a century. His signature was revealed after the painting was cleaned last artwork will displayed in a public exhibition at Sotheby's, in London, between 28 June and 1 July before it is auctioned with an estimated value of up to £300,000. Julian Gascoigne, Sotheby's senior specialist, said: "It's a fascinating and very instructive insight into his early style."He added the painting represents Turner, famed as a watercolourist, as a teenage artist with "ambition and skill" in his early experiments an oil painting made its debut at the Royal Academy in 1793, three days after Turner's 18th birthday, before being bought by Reverend Robert Nixon, a customer of his father's barber Nixon's son inherited the painting after his death, Mr Gascoigne said, adding it then fell "into obscurity" having last been exhibited in Tasmania, Australia, in 1858. Mr Gascoigne said: "Bristol would have been a very natural place for a young artist based in London to get to relatively easily and relatively cheaply, but would provide him with the sort of dramatic, sublime, picturesque landscape that he was seeking."There was early mention of the painting in obituaries of Turner's life but for at least a century it was mistaken for a watercolour, meaning it was missing from the catalogue of his exhibited oil until the discovery last year during a restoration project, experts believed Turner's earliest exhibited oil was the Fisherman at Sea painting.
BBC News
31-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Nature-themed mural painted alongside the River Avon in Bath
Young artists have created a colourful mural to celebrate the unique wildlife found along a mural, next to the River Avon in Bath, is part of a series of improvements to the Bath River Line - a 10km stretch of river between Newbridge and covers the wall of an Army Reserve centre and was a collaboration between Bath and North East Somerset Council and Little Lost Robot, an independent non-profit collective of artists. Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for child protective services, said the mural "demonstrates the creative skill there is in our community and helps to brighten up a stretch of the path". Four young artists developed the artwork during workshops held for those 'not in education, employment or training (NEET)' and it aims to connect the community and visitors to the natural environment. Ruby Sant, director of Little Lost Robot, said: "It's a great opportunity for emerging artists to get paid employment, delivering artwork for the public [and] starting off careers in the arts."Mr May added: "I would encourage residents and visitors to explore the Bath River Line and take a look at this wonderful artwork which celebrates the natural environment of our river banks." 'Enjoyed by everyone' Construction recently started on Phase One of the Bath River Line project, between Windsor Bridge and Green Park, with improved access, new seating and ecological planting. Sarah Warren, cabinet member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said: "The Bath River Line supports the council's vision of being Nature Positive by 2030 by creating and enhancing the natural habitats along the river to improve biodiversity and climate change resilience and provide social spaces that can be enjoyed by everyone."Work will continue on the River Line into August, with further phases to be delivered beyond that.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Town still recovering six months on from flooding
Residents of a Wiltshire town are still feeling the impact of devastating flooding caused by Storm Bert six months ago. Chippenham saw its worst flooding for 50 years after the River Avon burst its banks on 25 November 2024. Several businesses, charities and local groups based in the town lost their buildings, stock and personal possessions. Since then, members of the community have rallied around those worst affected to help them find a sense of normality and try to return to life as it was before the storm. James Lucas, commanding officer of the town's air cadets, said: "The people of Chippenham and the community have been unbelievable… it makes us feel like a family." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The 1304 Chippenham Air Cadets' base is located off Long Close, just outside the town centre. The building sits along the banks of the River Avon. Mr Lucas was on holiday when the storm hit and was alerted to the "really bad" damage by a colleague. "The water was so high... it was pure fear - what would happen, what could happen and what can we do with the kids? "Seeing it flooded and actually seeing inside brought a few tears to quite a few of us," he said. He estimated there was about £20,000 worth of damage to the building, which has been home to the cadets for many years. The community has helped raise £13,000 to get the group back to their base, but there is still no indication of when they will be able to return. Until then, they are operating from a temporary home in the town centre. Sarah McClymont is from Doorway, a charity based in the town centre that helps homeless people in north Wiltshire. She said the team had been in high spirits at an "amazing" fundraising event the day before the storm hit. "It was almost dream-like... It was all cordoned off, there was a very deep pool of water through the middle of town and you couldn't get through," Ms McClymont said. Six months on, the building is still in the same "broken state", with no flooring or walls. In the meantime, the "resilient" team have secured a temporary base at the town's rotary hall to keep helping those in need. "The community has really rallied around us, but we've just been in a paused state and there wasn't much we could do. "Once we get up and running we'll be fine - we'll be able to come back and deliver Doorway to our guests in a brand new, shiny, sparkly building," Ms McClymont said. Francesca Whitworth is the general manager of Grounded, a cafe located on Bath Road, alongside the river. She said the town "looked like an island" after the storm, leaving many people "stopped in [their] tracks". Ms Whitworth now worries whether it could happen again and finds herself observing the river levels whenever there is heavy rain. Her colleagues feel the same and often start thinking ahead in case they have to prepare flood defences. "There is that automatic panic," she said. The team has managed to get the business going again and has secured new customers over the past six months. "Everything has its silver lining, there was a real sense of community spirit. "Everyone was just so dumbfounded by the damage and how far up the High Street the water went. Everyone pulled together," added Ms Whitworth. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'Like it wasn't real' - 100 days since Storm Bert Town hit by Storm Bert flooding still recovering Wiltshire town submerged in Storm Bert flood water Shop damaged by flood like 'a scene from Titanic' Clean-up continues for areas hit by Storm Bert Storm Bert leaves flooding problems across the West
