Chloe Harcombe

Claude Bond was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after admitting that he kidnapped a stranger at gunpoint in Gloucester and held him captive for three hours. Bond used an airsoft pistol, cable ties and threats of extreme violence while demanding £250,000 from the victim’s relative. Police found a handwritten kidnap list, zip ties and other equipment at Bond’s home, although the weapon was not recovered. The victim described lasting psychological effects, and Bond was also given a 12-year restraining order.

The 2026 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta ended without its scheduled sixth mass ascent after strong winds forced organisers to cancel the Sunday evening launch at Ashton Court. Five ascents took place during the three-day event, including a Friday flight involving more than 80 balloons. Large crowds attended two nightglows, saw wing-walking and unusual balloon shapes such as a giant scarecrow, a suitcase and an alien, and filled the Ashton Court site to capacity on Saturday. Organiser Ben Hardy described the festival as an “unbelievable year.”

Young people from Young Bristol took part in a three-year partnership with the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, learning to set up, fly while tethered, and pack away a hot-air balloon. The experience introduced participants to careers in the ballooning industry and strengthened confidence, teamwork and practical skills. Organizers and pilot Phil Hooper said the programme could encourage some participants to become pilots, while participant Amir Ashant said he was considering the career.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal rejected most of the University of Bristol’s appeal against a ruling that it discriminated against and unfairly dismissed political sociology lecturer David Miller over his anti-Zionist views and criticism of Israel. The tribunal found that his beliefs were protected under the Equality Act, although his compensation will be reduced by half because comments about Jewish students and groups contributed to his dismissal. The university said it was disappointed and maintained that free speech must be exercised consistently with its conduct standards and its duty to protect students and staff.

Fiona Hodge, 69, has been released from prison after successfully appealing her sentence for causing the death by careless driving of 53-year-old Donna Crossman in Bristol in June 2024. Hodge's original one-year sentence was suspended for two years, her driving ban was reduced to two years followed by an extended driving test, and she must pay more than £3,000 in legal fees. Her defence argued that an undiagnosed epileptic episode may have caused the crash, although a trial jury rejected that explanation.

Bristol Airport passengers will face updated travel rules, including relaxed liquid limits due to new CT scanners and the EU’s Entry/Exit System requiring biometric registration for non‑EU travellers, which has caused delays at some airports. UK e-gates can now be used by children aged eight and nine who meet height requirements, and travellers are reminded that passports issued more than 10 years ago are no longer valid for EU entry. Passengers missing flights due to EES queues generally cannot expect airline rebooking or insurance coverage unless delays are directly caused by the airline.

Bristol Airport passengers face updated travel rules for 2026, including the ability to carry up to two litres of liquids through security thanks to new CT scanners. The EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System now requires fingerprints and photos from travellers entering or leaving the Schengen area, with reports of delays at some airports. The UK has lowered the age for e-gate use to eight for eligible nationalities, and post‑Brexit passport rules require UK passports to be less than 10 years old and valid for three months beyond the return date. Travellers missing flights due to EES delays typically cannot claim costs from airlines or travel insurance unless the airline is at fault.

George Clarke, a Strictly Come Dancing finalist and popular content creator, received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Bath Spa University for his contributions to entertainment and digital media. Addressing graduates, he joked about past criticism from judge Craig Revel Horwood, referencing comments made during his Rumba performance dedicated to his mother. The ceremony also highlighted Clarke’s rapid rise since 2019, his collaborations, podcast work and international tours, as well as his role as an ambassador for Encephalitis International.

A letter written by Titanic passenger Henry Price Hodges just before the ship sank is expected to fetch up to £35,000 at auction in Wiltshire. Addressed to his friend Hector Young, the letter describes pleasant weather and life aboard the ship before its sinking on 15 April 1912. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge says the document offers a historically valuable glimpse into conditions for second‑class passengers. Hodges died in the disaster, and his body was later recovered and buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Hot air balloons launched from College Green in Bristol to mark the upcoming Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which will run from 7 to 9 August at Ashton Court Estate. More than 100 balloons from multiple countries are expected to join mass ascents, supported by live flight tracking with Great Western Railway. The event will feature night glows, stunt shows, immersive experiences, live music, and children’s activities, highlighting local culture and community participation.

A 97-year-old Gloucestershire woman, Betty Bromage, plans her sixth wing walk to surpass her existing Guinness World Record as the oldest female wing walker. After past health challenges including a stroke and spinal injury, she continues the extreme sport to challenge herself and raise funds, this time for the stroke unit that supported her. She previously completed aerobatic stunts for charity and remains encouraged by supporters at her assisted living facility as she prepares for her next attempt at RFC Rendcomb Airfield.

Princess Anne honoured British soldiers who died in the Battle of Imjin River during a visit to the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, marking the battle’s 75th anniversary. She laid a wreath, met Korean War veterans and heard accounts of the Glosters’ defence against Chinese forces, a stand that delayed the enemy advance toward Seoul. The visit included commemorations of Victoria Cross recipient Philip Curtis and Maj Patrick Angier, recently identified after decades as an unknown soldier. The event begins a five‑day overseas tour including stops in South Korea and Thailand.

A woman in her 40s died after sustaining severe burns in a house fire on Attlebridge Way in Kingsway, Gloucestershire. Emergency services responded on Wednesday evening, and she was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she later died. Police do not consider the death suspicious, and investigations into the cause of the fire continue as a cordon remains in place.

An independent review concluded that evacuating Bristol’s Barton House tower block in November 2023 was appropriate due to major structural faults but caused avoidable long‑term harm to residents. The inquiry found that delayed and unclear communication damaged trust in Bristol City Council, which acknowledged shortcomings in its response. Recommendations included creating a dedicated housing strategy division, improving risk and safety training, strengthening major incident planning, and increasing resident engagement. The council said it has already begun implementing structural and leadership changes to improve oversight, accountability and communication.

A Purton man, Anthony Howells, has been charged with murder and multiple driving offences after a collision on the B4696 in Wiltshire that killed local pet shop owner Barbara Mullaney. Police confirmed a teenage passenger in the other vehicle was treated and discharged from hospital. Wiltshire Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior contact, while local residents and St Sampson's Church paid tribute to Mullaney. Authorities appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage to support the ongoing investigation.

The UK government plans to increase sentences for people who murder a partner or ex-partner at home by adding up to 10 years to existing terms. The Ministry of Justice aims to align domestic murder sentences with cases where a weapon is brought to the scene, narrowing a current 10‑year gap. Campaigner Carole Gould, whose daughter Ellie was killed in 2019, welcomed the proposal as overdue recognition of the severity of domestic killings and a measure that would keep dangerous offenders incarcerated longer. The change, intended to support efforts to reduce violence against women and girls, remains subject to consultation with the Sentencing Council.

The UK government plans to increase sentences for people who murder a partner or ex-partner in the home by adding up to 10 years, aligning these cases with murders involving premeditated weapon use. The proposal follows campaigning by Carole Gould, whose daughter Ellie was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, and aims to address disparities in sentencing and reduce violence against women. The Ministry of Justice intends to introduce the change after consultation with the Sentencing Council.

The Strawberry Moon, the first full moon of summer and appearing larger due to its low position in the sky, will be best viewed from high locations with clear skies across the West Country and southern England. Recommended viewing spots include Dundry Hill, Troopers Hill, Perrett's Park, Brandon Hill, Clifton Observatory, Severn Beach, Robinswood Hill, Pan Tod Beacon, Glastonbury Tor, Stonehenge, and high points in Wiltshire. Cloudy conditions and drizzle may obscure visibility, though clearer skies are possible later in the night. The moon’s name originates from Native American strawberry harvest traditions, and additional full moons—the Buck Moon and Sturgeon Moon—will be visible later in the summer.