Bristol News by HANA Edition 13

Bristol’s Crime Closures, Computers & Cold Snap

Bristol News by HANA Edition 13

Bristol’s Crime Closures, Computers & Cold Snap

From the Editor

As the year comes to a close, two unspeakably tragic sagas drew to a close in Bristol this week. Three teenage boys lost their lives at the hands of other teenagers, all receiving lengthy prison sentences - and the 45-year-old Anthony Snook, who will likely never see the outside walls of a prison again. These crimes have shocked Bristol and forever changed those communities. Hopefully, the victims’ families found some closure this week. The police have vowed to prevent knife crime with programmes being led in schools, focusing on weapons and drugs, community mentoring and group work.

Looking towards the future, the Isambard 3 supercomputer went live this week. It is a collaboration between the GW4 universities—Bristol, Bath, Essex, and Cardiff—that will provide AI simulations in green energy and healthcare. As we prepare to usher in the New Year, Bristol Bears welcome the most famous woman to ever play rugby.

Louis Inglis | Bristol Editor

Medieval houses at the foot of the Christmas Steps

This week in Bristol

  • Two teenage boys each received 15 years in prison for the murder of Darrien Williams.

  • Antony Snook was sentenced to life for double murder, while Christina Howell denied a separate stabbing charge, and a rogue trader was jailed for fraud.

  • Southmead Hospital declared a critical incident, urging non-emergency patients to seek alternative care.

  • The £10m Isambard 3 supercomputer boosts UK research in energy, healthcare, and AI.

  • U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher joins Bristol to prep for the 2025 World Cup.

  • Bristol celebrates Christmas with festive events and a recognised apprenticeship program.

  • A cold snap brings freezing weather, strong winds, and ice warnings to Bristol.

Databox

  • 55.2% of adults in Bristol are overweight or obese (2021/22), significantly better than the national average (63.8%)

  • 74.2% of Bristol adults are physically active, significantly higher than the national average (67.3%) and highest of all English core cities

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

Outside Bristol Crown Court in the City Centre

Hyper-local news articles

Darrian Williams: Bristol teenagers jailed for murder

BBC News - December 5, 2024

Darrian Williams, 16, was fatally stabbed in a gang-related incident in Bristol, leading to the sentencing of his two teenage killers to over 15 years in prison. His mother, Charlene, expressed her profound grief in court, questioning the worth of their actions while highlighting the devastating impact of Darrian's loss on their family.

Read more at BBC News (4 mins)

Bristol crime stories you may have missed this week including a murderer and rogue trader

Bristol Live - December 1, 2024

This week in Bristol's legal system saw the life sentence of Antony Snook for the double murder of teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon, alongside Christina Howell's not guilty plea in the stabbing death of Hubert Brown. Additionally, rogue trader Richard Williams was jailed for defrauding vulnerable victims, including one who lost her life savings, while a 92-year-old man is set to stand trial next year for a decades-old murder case.

Read more at Bristol Live (4 mins)

Critical incident declared at Southmead Hospital in Bristol

BBC News - December 3, 2024

North Bristol NHS Trust has declared a critical incident at Southmead Hospital due to overwhelming patient numbers, urging people to avoid the emergency department unless facing life-threatening situations. They recommend seeking alternative care options like local pharmacies or NHS 111 for non-emergency needs, as wait times could exceed eight hours.

Read more at BBC News (1 min)

Cutting-edge research boost as GW4 Isambard 3 supercomputer goes online

Bristol University - December 4, 2024

The newly launched £10 million Isambard 3 supercomputer, a collaboration among GW4 (Great Western) universities and industry leaders like HPE and NVIDIA, boasts over 55,000 cores and six times the computational performance of its predecessor, enhancing research in sustainable energy, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. Located at the National Composites Centre, it promises to position the UK as a scientific superpower while emphasizing energy efficiency and innovative computing technologies.

Read more at University Of Bristol (4 mins)

USA International Ilona Maher (Credit: Sky Sports)

Olympics superstar Ilona Maher joins Bristol Bears in blockbuster deal

Sky Sports - December 2, 2024

United States sevens star Ilona Maher is set to join Bristol for the remainder of the season in January, aiming to sharpen her skills for the 2025 World Cup. Known for her dynamic play and popularity in women's sports, Maher's signing is expected to boost Bristol's attack and overall team dynamics significantly.

Read more at Sky Sports (1 min)

Bristol in pictures: Christmas markets, UWE graduations and more

BBC News - December 1, 2024

Bristol embraces the festive season with twinkling lights, holiday events like the Victorian Christmas at the Harbourside, and special activities such as Year 11 students creating baubles for the SS Great Britain's tree. Meanwhile, the University of Bristol's apprenticeship scheme gains recognition, highlighting efforts to nurture local young talent.

Read more at BBC News (2 mins)

Met Office forecast for Bristol as temperatures set to plummet across UK

Yahoo News - December 3, 2024

The UK is bracing for a cold snap, with temperatures in Scotland plunging below freezing and a yellow ice warning issued due to potential transport disruptions. Bristol will see chilly weather with lows of 4°C and strong winds up to 45mph this weekend, while icy conditions are expected on untreated surfaces in the coming days.

Read more at Yahoo News (2 mins)

Converted industrial buildings in the St Phillip’s district

Property news

Posh Bristol suburb named as one of Britain's most desirable areas

Bristol Live - December 4, 2024

Stoke Bishop in Bristol has been recognised as one of the UK's top affluent suburbs. It offers a blend of luxurious homes, green spaces, and vibrant community events like the Forwards Festival. With average property prices around £750,000 and proximity to iconic landmarks, it stands out as a prime destination for those seeking suburban living with rich outdoor activities and local amenities.

Read more at Bristol Live (4 mins)

Innovative Gap House scheme reaches final stage of construction in Bristol

South West - December 3, 2024

The innovative Gap House project in Bristol is nearing completion. It features nine sustainable one-bedroom homes on a previously disused garage plot. This initiative, a collaboration between BDP, Beard, and Etopia, aims to tackle the housing crisis by transforming neglected urban spaces into high-quality, affordable residences.

Read more at South West (4 mins)

Over 140 'vital' new homes are being built across three Bristol sites

Bristol Live - December 4, 2024

Bristol City Council is on track to build over 140 new affordable homes across multiple sites, including Lockleaze and Knowle West while focusing on sustainability and community integration. With ongoing projects to deliver additional social rented and shared ownership homes, the initiative underscores a commitment to tackling housing shortages and creating vibrant neighbourhoods.

Read more at Bristol Live (3 mins)

The Bristol Wheel and businesses at the Harbourside

What’s on in Bristol this weekend?

All photos are credited to Louis Inglis unless otherwise specified.

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