Bristol News by HANA - Edition 39
Bristol Bites: Smart women burnish Bristol's cool credentials
Bristol's most exciting new charitable initiative is Smart Works Bristol – an organisation dedicated to helping women re-enter the workforce through high-end fashion and job interview training.
Smart Works will relocate to the Easton Business Centre in July, with a view to launching in September. Scroll down to read more.
Bristol's cultural appeal is burgeoning. The sector is worth a massive £1.2 billion, a whopping 37% growth between 2011 and 2019. Nearly half a million international tourists visit the city each year to experience the Bristol buzz. See Databox for details.
News that a 92 year old man is on trial for the rape and murder of a 75 year old Bristol woman some six decades ago is deeply depressing. Let's hope justice is done (whatever verdict the jury reaches) after so much time.
On a lighter note, Miss Saigon is coming to Bristol. The stellar cast will be at the Hippodrome from 21 July to 1 August. Book now to avoid disappointment, folks.
Rhidian Wynn Davies | Editor in Chief
Image by David Harper from Pixabay
Make Bristol an even better community - share Bristol by Hana with friends and family for a more informed and better run city - local news and views you can use - forward this link for instant sign up
Databox
Popular destination
The visitor economy demonstrates Bristol's broad cultural appeal, with the sector valued at nearly £1.2 billion, representing 37% growth between 2011 and 2019.
Recent data for 2022 shows approximately 1.5 million domestic staying trips, 10.8 million day-trips, and more than 450,000 international visitors
Scroll down for property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…
Bristol News
Bristol climbs three places in QS World University Rankings Bristol Uni - June 19, 2025 The University of Bristol has climbed to eighth in the UK and 51st globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with a notable 12th place for sustainability. Vice-Chancellor Professor Evelyn Welch emphasized their goal of breaking into the top 50 worldwide by 2030, celebrating the university's growing international recognition and impactful research. |
Cyclist get 3D printed face after bike accident BBC - June 17, 2025 Cyclist Dave Richards, who suffered severe facial injuries after being hit by a drunk driver, has experienced a remarkable recovery thanks to the Bristol 3D Medical Centre, where advanced technology creates custom prosthetics that have boosted his self-esteem. This innovative facility at Southmead Hospital also enhances surgical procedures by providing detailed 3D models for better preoperative planning, significantly improving patient outcomes. |
Ontario Teachers’ announces agreement to sell stakes in Birmingham, Bristol and London City airports to Macquarie Otpp - On June 18, 2025, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board announced the sale of its interests in Birmingham, Bristol, and London City Airports to Macquarie Asset Management, marking the end of an 18-year investment period that saw significant growth, with Birmingham Airport alone experiencing a 35% increase in passenger numbers. Under Ontario Teachers' ownership, these airports collectively contributed over £3.7 billion to the UK economy and achieved notable milestones in carbon accreditation and customer experience enhancements. |
Bristol climbs three places in QS World University Rankings Bristol Uni - June 19, 2025 The University of Bristol has climbed to eighth in the UK and 51st globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with a notable 12th place for sustainability. Vice-Chancellor Professor Evelyn Welch emphasised their goal of breaking into the top 50 worldwide by 2030, celebrating the university's growing international recognition and impactful research. |
Man, 92, on trial accused of rape and murder of Bristol woman almost 60 years ago Sky News - June 16, 2025 Ryland Headley, a 92-year-old man, is on trial for the rape and murder of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in 1967, with new DNA evidence linking him to the crime. Despite his denials, prosecutors point to his history of targeting vulnerable elderly women as part of their case against him. |
DNA profile from victim’s skirt linked to suspect in trial for 1967 Bristol murder, court hears The Guardian - June 18, 2025 Forensic evidence has linked 92-year-old Ryland Headley to the 1967 rape and murder of Louisa Dunne, with DNA analysis revealing a billion-to-one match from samples found on her preserved clothing. Despite his denial of the charges, the cold case review by Avon and Somerset police has reignited attention on this decades-old crime. |
X Factor and Hamilton stars come to Bristol with Miss Saigon tour Yahoo News - June 19, 2025 Miss Saigon will tour the UK, with a stop at the Bristol Hippodrome from July 21 to August 1, 2024, telling the poignant love story of Kim and American GI Chris amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War. The cast features X Factor star Seann Miley Moore as The Engineer, alongside rising talents Julianne Pundan as Kim and Jack Kane as Chris. |
Imperial supports Bristol on a Cyber Growth Action Plan for Government Imperial News - June 18, 2025 Imperial College London's Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance and the University of Bristol are joining forces to develop a Cyber Growth Action Plan that will enhance the UK's cyber security sector, which is currently valued at £13.2 billion and employs over 67,000 people. Led by Professors Chris Hankin and Simon Shiu, the initiative aims to evaluate the UK's cyber capabilities and identify growth opportunities in line with the upcoming refresh of the National Cyber Strategy. |
'I thought I was going to die': easyJet passenger's fear as plane makes emergency landing Bristol Live - June 17, 2025 An easyJet flight from Paphos to Bristol made an emergency landing in Izmir after passengers reported a smell of smoke, leading to chaos and panic onboard. The incident highlighted frustrations with the airline's communication, as passengers were left uninformed for 20 minutes before discovering a suspected cooling system fault. |
Bristol Port lands groundbreaking Class 99 locomotives ‣ WorldCargo News WorldCargo News ‣ Leading site for cargo handling industry - June 18, 2025 Two new Class 99 locomotives have arrived at Bristol Port, kicking off a fleet expansion of 30 state-of-the-art freight engines designed to boost economic efficiency and promote environmental sustainability across the British rail network. Their introduction is set to significantly enhance freight operations, paving the way for greener transportation solutions in the UK. |
Smart Works Bristol, the charity dedicated to helping women back into the workplace through job interview training and fantastic fashion, is on the runway to launch (or should that be the catwalk to launch?).
Led by Imogen Franklin, Smart Works Bristol has secured premises at the Easton Business Centre, close to Barton Hill – one of the most deprived areas of this scintillating city. The team aim to move in July and then hit the big bang button in September. Take cover, because an army of talented, enthusiastic women are coming to a workplace near you soon.
Imogen and her terrific team need your support in these ways:
• Become a Founding Partner (basically, unbutton your wallets for those who can afford it)
• Donate clothing (rustle through your wardrobes for high-quality workwear. Drop donations off, marked Smart Works Bristol, at Big Yellow Self Storage, Bristol Central)
• Extra support (can you loan a van, print a sign or provide a spare laptop?)
Let’s make Bristol an even better, brilliant and beautiful city.
For more information: [email protected]
Property news
Discover Bristol’s 10 most popular neighbourhoods Spray Vue, a UPVC home renovation company, has identified key desirable locations for homebuyers through an analysis of recent sales data, considering factors like property prices and local amenities. This insight enables them to tailor their marketing strategies and services to meet the needs of homeowners looking to renovate in these sought-after areas, while also helping potential buyers make informed decisions. |
Bristol's 'most expensive street' where houses sell for more than £2m Yahoo News - June 14, 2025 Bristol's real estate landscape reveals Seawalls Road as the priciest street, boasting an average property price of £2,145,833, while Manor House Court stands out as the city's most affordable at just £87,333. The analysis by Property Solvers highlights a stark contrast between luxury and budget-friendly living in the city, showcasing the top ten most expensive and cheapest properties. |
Bristol and Brighton most expensive cities outside London PropertyWire - June 19, 2025 Brighton and Bristol top the list of the most expensive cities outside London, with Brighton boasting the highest house prices at £420,181 and Bristol leading in rental costs at £1,750.6 per month. In contrast, North East cities like Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Newcastle offer affordability, while Northern Irish cities like Belfast and Derry present some of the cheapest property prices in the UK. |
Joy as troubled flagship Bristol housing site to be 100 per cent affordable Bristol Live - June 17, 2025 The Bonnington Walk development in Lockleaze, Bristol, has been revitalized as affordable housing after housing associations GreenSquare and Bromford purchased all 185 homes, with half allocated to local residents. Cllr Zoe Peat praised the initiative for addressing the housing crisis while incorporating sustainable features like solar panels and air source heat pumps. |
Wind farms in Port Talbot and Bristol 'hugely significant' BBC News - June 19, 2025 The UK government is set to develop new floating wind farms off south Wales and south-west England, expected to power four million homes and create 5,300 jobs by the early 2030s. This ambitious project, involving major energy companies and significant investment in local infrastructure, aims to drive economic revitalization in Port Talbot and Bristol while raising questions about ensuring profits benefit Wales directly. |
Australian investment giant looking at buying back major holding in Bristol Airport Australian investment firm Macquarie is close to finalizing a multi-billion-pound deal to reacquire a stake in Bristol Airport, aiming to bolster its infrastructure portfolio amid rising travel demand. This strategic move underscores the airport's growth potential and will enhance Macquarie's footprint in the UK market as expansion plans for the airport advance. |
'Obtrusive' new house in countryside near Thornbury will be ‘too large’ Bristol Live - June 17, 2025 A new energy-efficient home has been approved near Thornbury, despite local opposition led by Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, who argued it would disrupt the countryside's character. Architect Lee Holcombe defended the design, highlighting its sustainable features and plans for increased greenery. |
Music legend's Rainbow Bridge plea to taggers ignored within hours Bristol Live - June 18, 2025 Bristol music legend Roni Size has urged young graffiti taggers to respect the newly restored Rainbow Bridge, which was repainted by local families in vibrant colors during a community event. Despite his heartfelt plea, the bridge was tagged just hours after the repainting, highlighting ongoing challenges in preserving this cherished community landmark. |
What’s on in Bristol this weekend?
Sundowners at The White Lion Terrace
All photos are credited to the source articles unless otherwise specified.
This newsletter was partly curated and summarised by AI agents, who can make mistakes. Check all vital information.
For any issues or inaccuracies, please notify us here
View our AI Ethics Policy