Bristol News by HANA - Edition 5

From Tragedy to Triumph: Shocking Crimes, Scorpions and Innovations That Inspire – This Week In Bristol

Bristol News by HANA - Edition 5

From Tragedy to Triumph: Shocking Crimes, Scorpions and Innovations That Inspire – This Week In Bristol

From the Editor

The trial involving the murders of teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon continues at Crown Court this week. The prosecution argue that the stabbings were a case of mistaken identity and that the boys were wholly innocent. Three teenagers in Bristol have lost their lives this year after being stabbed by other children in acts of ‘postcode rivalry’. I could never do justice to the tragedy of these events or pay due respects to these boys’ lives in a few lines of text. We can only hope that justice is served in the courtroom.

More news from the research sector in Bristol, as a joint project between UWE and the University of Bristol works on ‘robotic trousers’ - quite like something from Wallace & Gromit. The developers hope the trousers will aid those with impaired mobility and promote an active lifestyle, not take on a mind of their own and begin scaling walls. Once again this week, a tale of two cities in Bristol - the good and the bad, the horrific and the optimistic.

Louis Inglis | Bristol Editor

Bristol Harbourside from Spike Island

Contents

This week in Bristol

  • A 15-year-old pleaded guilty to the murders of Mason Rist, and a 17-year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Max Dixon's death, with others also facing charges. Prosecutors argue both incidents were due to mistaken identity.

  • Thomas Osbourne received nine-and-a-half years in prison for rape in Bristol, with authorities praising the victim’s courage and urging others to seek help.

  • York Road in Bristol will remain partially closed for 18 months for New Cut and River Avon embankment repairs, which will cost £2 million and cause significant local disruption.

  • University of Bristol student Sophia Alonso-Mossinger found a live scorpion in her new boots, startling her and her flatmates. They captured it in Tupperware and handed it to the National Centre for Reptile Welfare.

  • The VIVO Hub, a joint initiative between the University of Bristol and UWE, is developing robotic clothing to help people with mobility issues. These smart garments aim to assist with daily activities, prevent falls, and promote an active lifestyle, redefining clothing as a health and rehabilitation tool.

  • UWE Bristol students released the charity single "Run Skin," which supports men's mental health via Talk Club. The single is now available on streaming platforms.

  • After an impressive start to the season, Max Malins will miss the Autumn internationals due to a knee injury, sidelining him for at least eight weeks. Bristol Bears also lose James Williams for 12 weeks following pectoral surgery, leaving the team to cope with key absences.

Databox

  • In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the University of Bristol performed strongly in health-related subjects. Around 83% of its research in medical sciences was rated as "world-leading" or "internationally excellent".

  • The University of Bristol’s robotics laboratory (BRL) has received millions in funding for research projects in areas such as autonomous systems, soft robotics, and robotics for healthcare. In 2018, BRL was part of a national initiative that received a share of £17 million from the UK government for robotics and AI research aimed at healthcare and industrial applications.

  • Bristol tech companies account for 36% of the city’s high-growth businesses. Around 216 tech startups and scaleups employ over 10,000 people and reported a combined turnover of £223m in their latest financial reports.

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

Mason (left), 15 and Max (right), 16, were stabbed to death in January (Credit: Avon & Somerset Police)

Hyper-local news articles

Teenager pleads guilty to murder of Mason Rist and Max Dixon, trial continues

Date: 2024-10-10 13:32:23 | Reading Time: 1 minute | Source: BBC

A 15-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to the murder of Mason Rist, who was fatally stabbed outside his home earlier this year. Additionally, another teenager, aged 17, has admitted to manslaughter in the case of 16-year-old Max Dixon's death. The ongoing trial at Bristol Crown Court has also seen three more teenagers and two adults face charges related to these violent incidents. The prosecution has argued that the deaths were a result of mistaken identity.

Man jailed for nine and a half years after two rape convictions

Date: 2024-10-10 14:12:31 | Reading Time: 2 minutes | Source: Avon & Somerset Police

Thomas Osbourne has been sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison for raping a woman in Bristol earlier this year. The victim, whose identity remains anonymous, spoke out about the profound impact on her life, expressing feelings of fear and isolation that stem from the trauma. Authorities celebrated the conviction as a victory for justice, highlighting the resilience of the victim throughout the process and encouraging others affected by sexual offences to come forward for help.🛡️

Work on closed embankment road in Bristol will continue until at least 2026

Date: 2024-10-10 05:20:00 | Reading Time: 3 minutes | Source: Yahoo News UK

Bristol City Council has announced that York Road will remain partially closed for at least 18 months due to urgent stabilization work on the New Cut River Avon embankment, which has been at risk of collapse. The project, which begins on October 28 and involves a £2 million investment, aims to ensure the long-term safety of the roadway while minimising disruptions. Despite the significant inconvenience for local drivers, authorities are taking swift action to complete the necessary repairs and maintain traffic flow wherever possible. 🏗️

A diagram of the ‘smart trousers’ (Credit: University of Bristol)

Robotic clothing which can aid walking a step closer after £11 million funding

Date: 2024-10-10 15:14:28 | Reading Time: 3 minutes | Source: University of Bristol

Innovative robotic clothing is making strides in enhancing the independence of people with mobility issues. The newly launched VIVO Hub, a joint research venture between the University of Bristol and UWE, aims to develop smart garments and wearable technologies that assist users with daily activities while preventing falls and encouraging an active lifestyle. Led by esteemed academics from multiple institutions including the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, this initiative seeks to redefine clothing as not just a fashion statement but as a vital tool for health monitoring and rehabilitation, providing a promising horizon for enhancing well-being and independence in later life. 🌟

Bristol student discovers live scorpion inside Shein parcel

Date: 2024-10-11 10:11:30 | Reading Time: 1 minutes | Source: BBC

In a bizarre twist, an electrical engineering student, Sophia Alonso-Mossinger, discovered a live scorpion while unpacking her new boots, prompting quite a startling scene among her flatmates. The students captured the creature in Tupperware rather than dispatching it immediately and handed the scorpion over to the National Centre for Reptile Welfare. This unusual encounter certainly added an unexpected thrill to their day! 🦂

UWE Bristol graduates release song for World Mental Health Day

Date: 2024-10-10 08:17:00 | Reading Time: 2 minutes | Source: University of the West of England

A new charity single, "Run Skin," was released on October 10 to support Talk Club, a mental health organization encouraging men to share their feelings. The project, backed by students and graduates from UWE Bristol's New Wave initiative, aims to create meaningful connections through music while fostering important conversations about mental health. The single is now available on major streaming platforms, featuring a music video on the band’s social media channels.🎶

Bristol Bears’ Max Malins and James Williams out with injury

Date: 2024-10-11 10:11:32 | Reading Time: 1 minute | Source: BBC

In a tough blow for the Bristol Bears and England fans alike, Max Malins will miss the Autumn internationals due to a knee injury that sidelines him for at least eight weeks. The 27-year-old was in excellent form, scoring five tries in his first three Premiership matches, but now joins teammate James Williams, who is facing a 12-week recovery period following pectoral surgery. Head coach Pat Lam highlighted the commitment of the players, noting that their injuries reflect the effort put into the game. The Bears now look to regroup and cope with these significant absences from the team. 🏉

Top-floor flat windows in the City Centre

Property news

"The Banksy is a bonus": Bristol building with Banksy mural up for auction for £750,000

Date: 2024-10-09 11:04:00 | Reading Time: 2 minutes | Source: The Standard 

Exciting news for art enthusiasts! Buyers now have the chance to acquire Banksy artworks through auctioned building developments, offering a unique opportunity to invest in both real estate and art simultaneously. According to Andrew Morgan, director at Hollis Morgan, this could lead to unexpected treasures for savvy bidders - imagine snagging a Banksy while securing an investment property! 🎨 

Huge Georgian townhouse overlooking iconic Bristol landmark up for sale

Date: 2024-10-05 04:00:00 | Reading Time: 1 minute | Source: Bristol Post 

A stunning seven-bedroom, five-storey family home in Bristol has recently sold for £1 million, offering breathtaking views and a unique opportunity for renovation. Meanwhile, a charming Georgian townhouse at Number 3 Queens Parade is on the market for £650,000, featuring beautiful views of Brandon Hill and a wealth of original period features. This freehold property, priced to sell, requires complete refurbishment, making it an enticing project for those looking to create their dream home. With a spacious layout, including seven generous bedrooms and a delightful walled garden, prospective buyers are encouraged to seize this incredible opportunity. 🌟 

New homes set for former petrol station site in Bristol

Date: 2024-10-10 05:28:00 | Reading Time: 3 minutes | Source: Yahoo News UK 

Exciting developments are on the horizon for Bristol, as plans for new homes on a former petrol station have been submitted, alongside proposals for more classrooms for special educational needs students at Broomhill Junior School. The transformation of solicitors’ offices into nine residential units in the city centre is also in the works. These initiatives aim to provide much-needed housing and educational facilities, all part of a larger effort by Bristol City Council to enhance community resources. As the council reviews these applications, residents are encouraged to participate in the planning process by sharing their views. 🏡

A Banksy mural along Stoke’s Croft

What’s on in Bristol this weekend?

All photos are credited to Louis Inglis unless otherwise specified.

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