People
By Community Correspondent University of Winchester student Liana Wilson’s remarkable journey back into education has reached another high spot after she received a national award. Mother-of-five Liana, aged 39, was one of three winners in the Academic Success category at the upReach 2025 Student Social Mobility Awards. The awards
People
By Josh Bell, Charities and Schools Correspondent A peaceful Sunday evening in Wells turned into something truly special on 27th July, when a chance encounter beneath a hot air balloon led to a touching act of generosity. As the iconic Thatcher’s Cider balloon floated gently across the sky, Peter
Animals
By Community Correspondent Following an overwhelmingly pawsitive response to its one-month trial, The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare North Somerset, is thrilled to announce that dogs are now officially and permanently welcome on site. Since opening its doors to our four-legged friends in early June, The Grand Pier has seen an
Animals
By Animals Correspondent Shaldon Wildlife Trust is thrilled to announce the arrival of two Goodman’s mouse lemurs, Microcebus lehilahytsara, from Zoo Zurich, marking the first time this rare and elusive species has ever been housed in a UK zoo. The two individuals – a male and a female – arrived safely
Animals
By Animals Correspondent The Montagu’s Harrier is Britain’s rarest breeding bird species and hasn’t successfully nested in the UK since 2019. After a high of nine successful nests in 2011, its population has sadly dwindled – with it being officially placed on the Red List in 2021. But
People
By Education Correspondent A Paramedic Science student who brought British Sign Language (BSL) and deaf awareness training to hundreds of fellow students has graduated. Daniel Hunt organised the training after learning about the life-threatening communication barriers faced by deaf people in healthcare settings. He wanted future paramedics, nurses, physiotherapists, and
Sport
By Sports Correspondent Responding to the Government's announcement of to delivering a decade of change for women's and girls’ sport, Football Foundation CEO Robert Sullivan said: “The Lionesses have done it… again! This isn’t just a victory for the players, but for everyone watching them
Jill Dando news
By Manu M, Nathan H, Nazar B, Anika F and Maisie D, Year 10 Jill Dando News Correspondents at Clevedon School In June, we visited the University of Bristol’s H.H. Wills Physics Building. Although it resembles a tall Gothic castle, I’m pleased to say it is far
Science
By Science Correspondent Scientists have discovered that jewel wasps can slow down their biological rate of ageing. A study of jewel wasps, known for their distinctive metallic colours, has shown that they can undergo a kind of natural ‘time-out’ as larvae before emerging into adulthood with this surprising advantage. The
Business
By Business Editor Blinds By Mark, a trusted name in blinds and curtain installations across Bristol and beyond, is proudly celebrating two major milestones: over 500 combined five-star reviews across Google and Facebook, and official recognition as a Which? Trusted Trader. The Which? Trusted Trader endorsement is one of the
Jill Dando news
By Jill Dando News A class of Year Six pupils in Bridgwater have raised £500 as part of a creative fundraiser. Willowdown Primary School organised the 'Banksy Bakery' fundraiser to help cover the cost of their leavers’ celebration without placing extra financial pressure on families. The event was
Sport
By Sports Correspondent UWE Bristol sports rehabilitation student Izzy Thorpe made waves at the World Aquatics Championships winning a bronze medal in artistic swimming on the same day she was meant to be crossing the stage at her university graduation ceremony. The 24-year-old from Westbury on Trym picked up the
Science
By Science Correspondent Scuba diving isn't just a fun vacation activity—it’s a global industry worth up to $20 billion a year, according to a new study published July 25 in Cell Reports Sustainability. The research shows that dive tourism not only boosts local economies by creating
People
By Jill Dando News The Salvation Army in Penrith will be offering free meals for children to tackle the financial pressures faced by many families during the school holidays. Taking place weekly on Tuesdays from 12:15 pm at the church and community centre on Hunter Lane, The Salvation Army
People
By Charities Correspondent Lavender Green Flowers, one of the UK’s top florists known for gracing events from Wimbledon to Ascot, is turning luxury blooms into life-changing support for families in need. A certified B Corp, Lavender Green is deepening its commitment to sustainability by donating leftover flowers to two
By Charities Correspondent In 2018, the lives of Paul Harrison and Kathryn Dainty were turned upside down when their six-year-old daughter Alex was diagnosed with a stage 4 medulloblastoma, a children’s brain tumour. Described as a ‘bright, fun-loving child’ who ‘adored her friends and family and loved animals’, Alex