Megan Jones

The UK is expected to experience its most significant solar eclipse in nearly three decades, with around 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon. The partial eclipse is scheduled to begin at about 6:15 p.m., reach its maximum at approximately 7:11 p.m., and end around 8:04 p.m. The Royal Observatory Greenwich is hosting a live broadcast of the event. It will be the greatest eclipse coverage visible from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 total eclipse in parts of Cornwall and Devon.

The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak on August 12–13, 2026, with the new Moon providing dark skies and the best viewing between midnight and 5:30 a.m. Recommended Shropshire locations include the Wrekin, Carding Mill Valley, Cross Dyke car park, Pole Cottage and Shooting Box car park, all noted for exceptionally dark skies. The Long Mynd’s road gates are closed because of wildfire risk, and visitors are advised to find a clear horizon away from trees and buildings; binoculars and telescopes are unnecessary.

Shropshire firefighters assisted Hereford & Worcester Fire Service after reports of a grass fire on the verge beside the Severn Valley Railway line near Bewdley Station. Crews from Cleobury Mortimer were sent to Northwood Lane at about 1:50 p.m. on August 2, while images and video showed smoke rising from the blaze. Further information from Hereford & Worcester Fire Service was awaited.

Housing Plus Group has completed a £2.5 million regeneration project at The Ley in Dawley, Telford, replacing five ageing bungalows with 16 energy-efficient homes for social rent. The development includes one- and two-bedroom bungalows and a specially adapted home for an Armed Forces veteran, enabling independent living in the local community. Housing Plus Group and R1 Construction described the project as an important contribution to local regeneration and housing provision.

The RAF Museum has launched the Red Arrows Challenge, a nationwide fundraiser running from August 1 to October 3. Participants can walk, run or cycle any distance, with proceeds supporting the museum’s preservation work and its planned exhibition on the RAF from 1980 to today. Participants receive a commemorative coin, while larger fundraisers can earn additional rewards including 2027 air-show tickets and a Red Arrows meet-and-greet.

Three boys aged 12, 13 and 14 from the Rugeley area were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a woodland fire near Bower Lane in Etchinghill, Staffordshire. Police said the fire was deliberately started using pieces of burning wood thrown into the woodland. Local residents’ CCTV footage helped identify the suspects, and police are seeking further witnesses or camera evidence.

Two men aged 36 and 31 were arrested in Walsall on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs after West Midlands Police executed warrants as part of a County Lines Taskforce operation. Police said a drone recorded crack cocaine and heroin being thrown from a property window, with the drugs later recovered. The arrests form part of Operation Target, an ongoing effort to disrupt serious and organized crime, and both men remained in custody.

YouTuber Tom Scott’s England series visits Shropshire’s Iron Bridge, where he proposes that the structure was originally intended to be nearly flat but became steep after the unstable land beneath it settled. He points to the lack of early designs, the bridge’s uneven approaches and the area’s history of landslips, while acknowledging that the theory is speculative. The series is available on YouTube, with episodes released a week earlier on Nebula.

A shortage of trains on the Transport for Wales network caused cancellations between Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International, with disruptions expected until the evening. Some services were forced to start and end at Wolverhampton, while other operators accepted TfW passengers at no extra cost. The issue also affected routes between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, with replacement buses operating, and a track defect near Craven Arms disrupted services on the Heart of Wales Line.

Multiple areas across Shropshire, including Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and surrounding postcodes, experienced water outages, low pressure and discoloured supply as Severn Trent responded to a series of technical failures and a burst pipe. Engineers were deployed to fix pump failures near Shrewsbury and repair a burst pipe affecting Clunbury and Craven Arms. The disruptions occurred during an extended heatwave, with high temperatures expected to continue into the following week.

A series of animal births at Telford Exotic Zoo has created excitement ahead of the summer holidays, including Patagonian mara, a genet named Jenko and a young wallaby emerging from its mother’s pouch. The zoo also announced hatchings of endangered stick insects and iguanas. The surge in baby animals follows the zoo’s recent Excellence in Tourism Award, and a new summer schedule will offer visitors more opportunities to see the new arrivals and learn about the species.

Burst pipes in Shropshire and Leominster left residents with no water or low pressure as Severn Trent Water and Welsh Water worked on repairs during a prolonged heatwave. Both companies issued apologies and expected restoration later in the day while temperatures remained above heatwave thresholds.

A popular Telford Lego café, Brick & Beyond, has reopened in a larger permanent location on Ironbridge High Street after outgrowing its previous pop‑up venue. Owners Kayleigh and Mark Parsons announced the move and encouraged visitors to book hourly sessions online. The café offers Lego building experiences along with coffee, milkshakes, cakes and food.

Fire crews responded to a wildfire reported in Kingsnordley near Bridgnorth and asked the public to avoid the area while they worked at the scene. A fire service spokesperson confirmed the incident occurred on Monday afternoon and said further updates would follow.

The Newport Show returns to Chetwynd Deer Park on July 11 with a full schedule of entertainment, food events and family activities. Celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager will headline the Festival of Food, supported by additional chefs and producers. Attractions include lumberjack displays, BMX stunt performances, a country sports area, live music, artisan food vendors, a vintage tractor parade and a demonstration of the JCB Fastrac 6000. Organisers expect good weather and strong attendance, offering free parking and online ticket availability.

A single‑vehicle crash on the A442 near Bridgnorth left a 14‑year‑old boy seriously injured, with three others also taken to hospital. Police located a blue Ford Fiesta that had left the carriageway and arrested a 20‑year‑old man on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Officers are appealing for witnesses and any dashcam or CCTV footage to support the ongoing investigation.

Residents of Bridgnorth describe the town’s appeal, highlighting its ease of access to shops and services, strong community spirit, and popular local events. Weekly markets, castle grounds, and riverside areas contribute to a relaxed lifestyle that locals value and visitors appreciate.