Georgia Eadie

Yate and Sodbury Scooter Club has raised £24,600 for Great Western, Dorset & Somerset, and Wiltshire & Bath air ambulance charities after three members—Tim Davies, Marie Carol Jones and Rob Best—died in a 2025 scooter convoy crash en route to Normandy. The fundraising, supported by scooter communities across the UK and Europe, exceeded its original £10,000 target and will help fund roadside critical care. The club has been nominated for a BBC Make a Difference Award, with Bristol’s ceremony scheduled for 24 September 2026.

A woman from Wiltshire with severe sleep apnoea experienced major improvement after receiving a hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant, a new treatment offered at Great Western Hospital for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. The device, implanted in the chest and controlled by a handheld remote, moves the tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. Medical staff highlighted the strict eligibility criteria and the significant impact untreated sleep apnoea can have on daily life. The patient's success raises hopes for broader access to the treatment.

A woman from Chippenham reports major improvements in her sleep apnoea symptoms after receiving a hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant, newly offered at Great Western Hospital. The device moves the tongue to keep the airway open, providing an alternative for patients unable to tolerate CPAP machines. Clinicians say the treatment is reserved for severe cases under strict criteria. Staff highlight the condition’s serious effects, including fatigue, concentration issues and relationship strain, and note that sleep apnoea often goes undiagnosed, particularly in women. The patient hopes her successful experience will help expand access to the treatment.

Police arrested three teenagers after a couple in their 40s were assaulted at a Salisbury taxi rank late Monday night. The victims were attacked twice, including after entering a taxi, and sustained injuries. Arrests included a 13‑year‑old on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, criminal damage and affray, a 16‑year‑old girl on suspicion of ABH and affray, and a 16‑year‑old boy on suspicion of making threats to kill. Two suspects remain in custody while one has been released on bail.

Record heat in the West of England exposed widespread strain on hospitals, schools and transport, with climate scientists warning such extremes will become increasingly common. Public services reported unprecedented pressure, school buildings proved inadequate for rising temperatures and travel infrastructure experienced damage. Authorities are trialling more heat‑resilient materials, adapting rail systems and deploying new electric bus fleets to cut emissions. Government officials say new buildings will be designed to reduce heat exposure and local authorities will receive tailored adaptation support as the region prepares for more frequent heatwaves and wetter winters.

Rising temperatures in the West of England are driving record heatwaves that strain hospitals, disrupt schools, damage transport infrastructure and accelerate efforts to adapt to climate change. Scientists warn that hotter summers will become increasingly common, prompting calls for investment in school buildings, updated hospital protocols and more resilient road and rail systems. Authorities are trialling heat-resistant materials, adjusting rail operations and expanding electric bus fleets to cut emissions. While winters are expected to become milder and wetter, experts stress the need for coordinated planning to manage growing climate-related pressures across communities and essential services.