The Bristol Drop - Thursday, May 8
Gold medallist's stalking ordeal, Bristol pub saved from demolition, new fees for 22 car parks and 92-year-old enjoys her 'hen party'
Good morning. A two-minute national silence will be observed at noon today to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, as we salute those who sacrificed so much all those years ago. It puts most other news somewhat in context, but there is nevertheless a remarkable amount going on in the city today. Oh, and there’s the small matter of a Championship play-off at Ashton Gate tonight.
Bristol news
Gymnast stalked: Popular Bristol gymnast Claudia Fragapane, who won four Commonwealth gold medals and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, has been stalked by an obsessed teenage girl, Bristol Magistrates’ Court has heard. (Alex West - The Sun)
Zoo judicial review: A judicial review hearing into the planning permission for housing on part of Bristol Zoo’s historic former home in Clifton began at the High Court in Bristol yesterday. Judges will give their verdict at a later date. (Joe Skirkowski - BBC Bristol)
Bull spared: The Victorian-era Bull Inn in Crews Hole has won a stay of execution after a planning inspector denied developers’ plans to demolish the pub and replace it with housing. (Adam Postans, local democracy reporter - via Bristol Live)
Child exploitation risk: Important story about how social workers and detectives are working closely with street sex workers in Bristol - who act as their eyes and ears at night - to protect underage children at risk of sexual exploitation. (Rachel Stonehouse and Emma Hallett - BBC Bristol)
Full documentary (The Sex Detectives: Keeping Kids Safe) on iPlayer here.
Ambulance service cuts: Up to 40 jobs could be at risk at the South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. (Archie Farmer - BBC South West)
Never too old: Love this - hen parties are wasted on the young. Meet Molly, the 92-year-old great-grandmother and retired head teacher, who enjoyed a hen do 70 years late! (Declan O’Reilly - North Somerset Times)
All smiles: New West of England mayor Helen Godwin unveiled Lib Dem leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council Kevin Guy as her first deputy mayor and promised cross-party collaboration. Let’s see if it lasts… (John Wimperis, local democracy reporter - via Bristol Live)
Motorcycle fatality: A male motorcyclist died in a three-vehicle collision on the A46 at Old Sodbury in South Gloucestershire yesterday. (Sarah Lumley - Bristol Live)
High Street closed for a month: Works to repair gas mains under a stretch of Portishead High Street begin on Monday and could last up to a month. (Declan O’Reilly - North Somerset Times)
Dive in: Exciting ‘poolpod’ initiative to make South Bristol’s main swimming pool far more accessible to people with mobility challenges into the water at Hengrove Park Leisure Centre. (Seun Matiluko - Bristol 24/7)
£10m dump rubbished: People in Bath remain distinctly unimpressed with the costly plans for a new recycling centre, amid a long-running row. (John Wimperis, local democracy reporter - via Somerset Live)
Charges go live: Controversial new parking charges at 22 car parks in South Gloucestershire come into force on Monday, May 19. (Alice Knight - Gazette Series)
‘Body in suitcase’ victim accused of sexually assaulting teenager: Grim evidence heard at the Old Bailey yesterday in the trial of Yostin Mosquera, who is accused of murdering two men and leaving their dismembered bodies in a suitcase by the Clifton Suspension Bridge. (Joe Hadden, PA - via Bristol Live)
News in numbers
150,000: Plastic bottles not ending up as waste thanks to a joint initiative by Network Rail and Bristol-based City to Sea at Bristol Temple Meads. (Network Rail)
Today’s newspapers
An incident in a Southville churchyard that saw two men taken to hospital in leads the Bristol Post. While the Western Daily Press has a photograph of Sir Winston Churchill’s great-grandson on the front ahead of his role in today’s VE Day ceremonies and a story about the drought risk. Both papers have loads of added value today - with VE Day and Big Day Out rugby supplements, plus a National Trust offer.
Sport snaps
Manning’s main man: Bristol City boss Liam Manning has pinpointed the ‘hugely important’ role Anis Mehmeti will play tonight as the Robins do battle with Sheffield United at Ashton Gate. (Daniel Carter - Bristol Live)
‘Unbelievably difficult’: Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder’s expectations for tonight’s clash. (Daniel Carter - Bristol Live)
The match, which kicks off at 8pm, is sold-out but will be screened live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
Wider West
Mammoth sale: The owner of a fire-damaged Dorset stately home is selling his collection of fossils - including an 11,000-year-old woolly mammoth worth an estimated £300,000 - to fund the restoration of Parnham House. (Daily Telegraph)
Bad blood: A Somerset victim of the infected blood scandal explains her frustration at Government failures to pay the promised compensation. (Jacquie Bird - ITV West Country)
Community noticeboard
Going out with a bang: If anyone knows how to deliver a thrilling ending it is crime authors and the 16th and final edition of CrimeFest in Bristol next weekend is set to be a special event. Jack Reacher creator Lee Child and the sons of John le Carré are among the household names appearing on panels throughout the event at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel. Tickets still available. (CrimeFest)
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