Bristol News by HANA - Edition 11

Bristol’s Leaky Barrels, Murder Mystery & Our Bridge that Brokeaway

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Bristol News by HANA - Edition 11

Bristol’s Leaky Barrels, Murder Mystery & Our Bridge that Brokeaway

From the Editor

A medieval trackway and pilgrims route, a luscious autumnal stroll along a quiet riverbank through a nature reserve… Sharp rusty barrels leak thick black tar into the soil, which nothing can grow through. Half-buried piles of brickwork, broken glass and a decades-old local mystery. That is the unfortunate reality of this green space in South Bristol. HANA News Bristol investigates - read all about it here.

HANA News previously reported on Avon & Somerset Police’s use of AI in investigating cold cases, condensing files that contain thousands of hours of police work. The story this week is that a 92-year-old has been charged with a 1967 rape and murder in Bristol. It will be interesting to see how this story develops and whether new technology played a role in the investigation. I imagine, and sincerely hope, there are criminals from other historic cases going out to buy new underpants this week.

One last word before this week’s edition: You can listen to this newsletter as a podcast on the go. We haven’t figured out how to change it to a Bristol accent just yet. Sorry!

Louis Inglis | Bristol Editor

A busy Park Street looking up towards the Wills Memorial Building

This week in Bristol

  • A 92-year-old man has been charged with the 1967 rape and murder of Louisa Dunne in Bristol.

  • Five individuals, including four teenagers, were convicted of the mistaken-identity murder of Mason Rist and Max Dixon linked to postcode rivalry.

  • The defence company that manufactures Storm Shadow missiles for use in Ukraine has an office in Bristol.

  • Bristol City Council agreed on plans to tackle water sewage in the Avon, including a £1.6bn improvement programme over five years by Wessex Water.

  • Clifton Suspension Bridge follows after the Guardian and makes a dramatic exit from X, formerly known as Twitter.

  • The East Bristol liveable neighbourhood trial has faced backlash, with over 3,000 residents petitioning against it.

  • Bristol City will host Burnley with the chance to move up the Championship table. City currently sits in 10th position and Burnley in 4th.

Databox

  • 25% of the world’s nature documentaries are produced in Bristol. This is largely due to the presence of the BBC Natural History Unit, which is based in the city and has been instrumental in creating many acclaimed wildlife programs featuring Sir David Attenborough.

  • Bristol is the second fastest-growing Core City in England and Wales, with a population increase of 10.6% over the past decade, reaching approximately 479,200 by mid-2022. This growth has been significantly influenced by a surge in international migration, marking Bristol as a dynamic urban centre with a diverse cultural landscape.

FEATURE

Leaking tar barrels on the banks of Brislington Brook

The nature reserve has been used since the Middle Ages, but where the industrial waste came from has been a mystery for several decades. Will the council step in, or will this popular green space be closed off to residents in the future? HANA News Bristol investigates. Read more here.

Scroll down for property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…

Ryland Headley, 92, will face trial for the murder of Louisa Dunne (Credit: PA)

Hyper-local news articles

Man charged with the rape and murder of Louisa Dunne, 57 years later

Avon and Somerset Police - November 20, 2024

92-year-old Ryland Headley has been charged with the 1967 rape and murder of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in Easton, Bristol. Headley will face trial on 16 June, marking a "hugely significant moment" in the long-standing investigation.

Read more at Avon and Somerset Police (1 min)

Five found guilty of murder of two boys in case of mistaken identity

The Guardian - November 15, 2024

Five individuals, including four teenagers, have been convicted of a fatal mistaken identity attack in Bristol. The group mistakenly believed teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon to be responsible for a previous attack linked to a long-standing postcode rivalry, leading to the brutal assault that resulted in the boys' deaths.

Read more at The Guardian (4 mins)

The company that makes Storm Shadow missiles has a base in Bristol

Bristol24/7 - November 21, 2024

MBDA, the defence company believed to manufacture the Storm Shadow missiles used by Ukraine, is based in Bristol as part of the BAE Systems site. The company, formed from a merger of missile systems firms from France, Italy, and the UK, offers a range of job opportunities and describes itself as a leading defence company in Europe, providing products and services to each branch of the armed forces.

Read more at Bristol24/7 (2 mins)

Bristol city councillors unanimously back motion to tackle river sewage

Yahoo News - November 18, 2024

Bristol City Council and Wessex Water are uniting to tackle the city's severe sewage spill problem, which currently ranks fourth-worst in the UK. Plans include a £1.6bn improvement programme over five years by Wessex Water, along with proposals for a new regulatory body to oversee water companies, stricter inspections, increased prosecutions for offenders, and better funding for environmental bodies.

Read more at Yahoo News (5 mins)

Listen up, Elon: Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum makes dramatic exit from X

The Art Newspaper - International art news and events - November 18, 2024

Following Elon Musk's outspoken support for Donald Trump, several entities, including The Guardian and the Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum in Bristol, UK, have decided to leave Musk's social media platform, X. The museum cited the rise in inappropriate content and decreased engagement with followers as reasons for their departure, a move that has sparked both serious and humorous responses online. 

Read more at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events (2 mins)

East Bristol liveable neighbourhood trial: Thousands sign petition

BBC News - November 21, 2024

Over 3,000 people have signed a petition to stop a liveable neighbourhood trial in Bristol designed to reduce traffic and encourage active travel. They cite increased congestion and delays on major city routes. The scheme, which includes traffic calming measures like bus gates and cycle lanes, is still under trial and costs around £6 million, but critics call it a "waste of taxpayers' money" and claim it does not sufficiently accommodate elderly and disabled residents.

Read more at BBC News (3 mins)

Preview: Bristol City vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole - November 21, 2024

Bristol City will host Burnley with the chance to move up the Championship table. With Bristol City currently sitting in 10th position and Burnley in fourth, a win could spark a promotion push for the Robins, who have been one of the form teams in the division, while Burnley will be seeking to improve their offensive game to match their outstanding defensive record.

Read more at Sports Mole (3 mins)

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Snapshot of the Bristol skyline by the Harbourside

Property news

Inside the luxury student accommodation ranked as the best in Bristol

Bristol Live - November 19, 2024

StudentCrowd has recognised Bristol's Study Inn at Marlborough House as the city's best student accommodation. The decision was based on analysis of nearly 49,000 reviews, evaluating factors such as location, management, cleaning, and social spaces; Marlborough House stood out for its luxury serviced accommodation, cinema room, and gym, despite high tenancy costs.

Read more at Bristol Live (3 mins)

The Bristol youth club for sale as a £650k development opportunity

BristolWorld - November 18, 2024

The Barton Hill Dug Out, a historic boxing club and birthplace of many of Bristol's street artists including Banksy, is on sale for £650,000 due to financial struggles. The property offers potential for residential, commercial, or community use, sparking conversation on its future.

Read more at BristolWorld (1 min)

Period two-bed property in South Bristol to go to auction next week

Bristol Live - November 14, 2024

A two-bedroom period property with potential for expansion in South Bristol is set to be auctioned with a guide price of £250,000. The property, previously listed at £315,000 and £290,000, offers the potential for multiple off-street parking spaces and could generate a rent of between £1,700 and £1,800 per calendar month if updated to a professional rental market standard.

Read more at Bristol Live (2 mins)

Bristol’s iconic Harbourside District

What’s on in Bristol this weekend?

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All images are credited to Louis Inglis unless otherwise specified.

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