Bristol News by HANA - Edition 77
Bristol Bites: Culture clowns
From our Editor,
Bristol Bites: Culture clowns
Bristol failed to make the long-list for the 2029 UK City of Culture. Nine cities made the cut: Blackpool, Inverness and The Highlands, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham.
Stifle your sniggers. Yes, according to a committee, these places rank above Bristol as beacons of the nebulous notion of culture.
Blackpool is fun, if you enjoy candy floss and ballroom dancing. But Swindon and Milton Keynes? That’s before we even consider Middlesbrough.
Bristol’s failure to make the long-list is either down to a poor expression of interest submission (one wouldn’t put that past the council) or political correctness/levelling down.
The clue may lie in the words of Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy: “For far too long, opportunity has not been shared equally across the country.”
So, a tacit admission that the award is not about merit but handing out a biscuit (worth 10 million quid) to a place that has little or no cultural relevance. In hindsight, Bristol should not have bothered bidding. Too affluent, too, er, cultural.
The chair of the independent committee which selected the long-list is Sir Phil Redmond - he of Grange Hill and Brookside fame. Valuable contributions to our nation’s rich cultural tapestry, in their own way. But leaving Bristol off your list was a mistake, Sir Phil.
Just when we thought Sir James Dyson - he of pricey vacuum cleaner fame - couldn’t become more unpopular in Bristol, he’s managed it!
In January 2025, it emerged the Knight of Plastic Suction would relocate all his West of England staff to the metropolis that is Malmesbury in Wiltshire. Some 180 Bristol workers were promised help with their commute to Sir Dyson’s HQ. Brilliant. A 60 minute+ slog minimum in the rush hour.
Now his slim chances of being granted the Freedom of Bristol have been well and truly scuppered. His Knightliness has acquired a 50% stake in Bath Rugby - sworn rivals of our beloved Bristol Bears. He may be a lifelong fan of Bath, but the lauded and laureled entrepreneur should not expect a warm reception at Ashton Gate.
Rhidian Wynn Davies | Editor in Chief
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Databox
This week we focus on Bristol’s culture vultures and heritage hawks. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the city scores well.
Engaged with the arts
Bristol 92%, compared with a national local authority average of 91% in 2024. Close, but the city is a wing beat ahead on this metric.
Visited a heritage site
Bristol 70%, compared with a national local authority average of 67% in 2024. Again, not a huge difference but Bristol is still flapping ahead.
Visited a museum or gallery
Bristol 55%, compared with a national local authority average of 42% in 2024. That’s a significant gap. But it should be noted, though, that the city has more museums and galleries per capita than many other local authorities.
Visited a public library
Bristol 26%, compared with a national local authority average of 25% in 2024. Not much in it, but still a data positive for Brizzle.
Conclusions? Well, it’s clear that, when it comes to culture and heritage, Bristol beats the rest of the nation on all of these measures. But not by much. Typical Bristol. Anyone who has been to the city knows very well that it’s steeped in culture and heritage. But part of the charm of Bristol is that it doesn’t brag.
The peregrine falcons by the suspension bridge fly in freedom, perhaps inspiring another generation of creative folk in Britain’s most creative of places.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Scroll down for best of Instagram, sport, property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…
Best Articles From Bristol This Week
as chosen by our editors
‘Evil’ paedophile jailed for 24 years after abuse of five children at Bristol nursery The Guardian - March 16, 2026 Nathan Bennett, a 30-year-old nursery worker in Bristol, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for sexually abusing five young children, with the judge labelling him as "evil" due to his manipulation of vulnerable victims. The case has sparked criticism towards the nursery's handling of previous concerns, prompting the Partou group to enhance their child safeguarding measures. |
Bristol snubbed for City of Culture and £10m prize Yahoo News - March 18, 2026 Bristol has been eliminated from the longlist to become the UK's next City of Culture in 2029, missing out on a £10 million prize for cultural events. Despite this setback, city leaders emphasized their commitment to a new cultural strategy and the value of community connections formed during the bidding process. |
Bristol’s Club395 co-founder vows to continue championing grassroots arts and music after venue closure DJ Mag - March 19, 2026 Ray, a Bangladesh-born creative producer and co-founder of Bristol's Club395, has successfully secured a five-year UK Global Talent Visa after community support helped overturn their initial rejection. Despite the venue's recent closure due to rising costs, Ray remains dedicated to fostering grassroots arts through new initiatives like BeVibes TV and Bristol Creative Co, showcasing resilience and collaboration in the face of adversity. |
Bristol Castle Park incident: Arrest after woman raped BBC News - March 17, 2026 A man in his 30s has been arrested and released on conditional bail following a rape incident at Castle Park, Bristol, where emergency services responded to concerns for the victim's wellbeing. The woman was hospitalised but has since been discharged to recover at home as Avon and Somerset Police continue their investigation. |
Africa’s Triggerfish opens UK animation studio in Bristol city centre Broadcast - March 18, 2026 A renowned studio known for projects like "Kizazi Moto" and "Star Wars Visions" is expanding by opening a new facility in Bristol, aimed at harnessing the city's creative talent to enhance its animation and storytelling capabilities. This move not only promises to boost local economic growth but also reflects the studio's dedication to innovation and diverse content production in the animation industry. |
Man arrested after alleged hate crime at Bristol protest BBC News - March 13, 2026 A 26-year-old man has been arrested for a religiously-aggravated public order offence during a Bristol Patriots protest, which was countered by a large demonstration. Avon and Somerset Police are investigating the incident following multiple reports and videos circulating online, with several other arrests made during the event. |
'Gone' Filming Locations: All The Bristol Backdrops, From Clifton To Berkeley Square ELLE - March 17, 2026 ITV's gripping crime thriller "Gone," starring David Morrissey and Eve Myles, delves into the mysterious disappearance of a woman in a charming Bristol town, with the victim's husband emerging as the prime suspect. Filmed across picturesque locations in Bristol and nearby areas, the series showcases the city's diverse landscapes while ensuring minimal disruption to local schools during production. |
Rape, attacks and drugs: city centre park hit with crime spate Bristol Live - March 18, 2026 At Reach, we enhance your online experience and personalize advertising through cookies and device identifiers. You can easily opt out of data sharing anytime via the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button on our website, while also being mindful that your preferences apply to each browser you use. |
Police cordon off woodlands after child sexually assaulted in broad daylight Express.co.uk - March 18, 2026 Avon and Somerset Police are hunting for a man in his early 20s, described as having braided hair and a tattoo on his left forearm, following the sexual assault of a secondary school girl in Brislington, Bristol, on March 17. The community is being reassured with increased patrols as the victim receives support from specialist officers and her family. |
Discover Bristol's 19 most antisocial areas based on the latest crime data for January 2026 - see full list For up-to-date crime statistics and insights on antisocial behaviour in Bristol, it's best to consult local law enforcement reports, community safety bulletins, or official city websites, as my data only extends until October 2023. Keep an eye on local news outlets for coverage on trends and issues in specific areas. |
March: Study shows babies can grasp art of deception even before their first birthday Bristol - March 16, 2026 Research from the University of Bristol reveals that children as young as 10 months start to grasp deception, with many recognizing it by 17 months and becoming adept liars by age three. This study challenges previous beliefs about the cognitive requirements for deceit, highlighting that early deceptive behaviors, such as exaggeration and distraction, are a normal part of toddler development and can inform better communication between parents and children. |
Best Of Instagram
Sport
Bristol Bears
The Six Nations has dominated rugby over the last couple of months. The final Saturday brought agony and ecstasy for The Bears international headliners.
England prop Ellis Genge suffered a last kick defeat at the hands of France, 48-46, handing the French the title. Ouch.
Louis Rees-Zammit fared better as his Wales beat Italy 31-17. LRZ didn’t score but his defence was outstanding. Switching him to full back, copyright Bristol, has proved to be valuable to the Welsh.
Saturday sees a big match for The Bears at fellow playoff challengers Leicester Tigers. Bears are third, Tigers are fourth. Just a point separates these ursine and feline opponents. Expect bared teeth and wish the referee the very best of luck.
Bristol City
Adam Randell’s thumping 96th minute header earned City a point in a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough last Saturday.
A creditable result, but The Robins need wins. They are flying away from, rather than towards, the playoffs. They have slumped to 14th in the Championship table. The men in red need to finish in the top six and games are running out.
Next up for City are West Brom at Ashton Gate on Saturday at 3pm. It’s a must-win match.
Bristol Rovers
Rovers are proving gritty. A 1-0 win against Shrewsbury at The Mem on Tuesday night was important. It means The Pirates are 10 points clear of the relegation zone with just eight games to go in League Two. Should be safe.
Next up are Gillingham away on Saturday at
3pm. A tough one but Rovers have shown real spirit recently.
Property News
Former Bristol Steiner school site sells for £1.5m Yahoo News - March 16, 2026 Redland Hill House, a historic Grade II listed mansion in Bristol, has been sold at auction for £1.5 million, following the closure of the Bristol Steiner School which previously occupied the property. Built around 1761 and spanning nearly 11,000 sq ft, the mansion features expansive gardens and outbuildings, with the winning bidder remaining anonymous. |
7ft wide house narrower than tube carriage hits market in Bristol for £325,000 Bristol Live - March 16, 2026 A charming and uniquely designed two-floor, one-bedroom house in Bristol has hit the market for £325,000, measuring just 7ft 5in wide—narrower than typical Tube carriages. Originally a hay store, this creatively reimagined property features a suspended double bed, an open-plan living area, and a cosy log burner, maximising its 502 sq ft of space. |
IN SEARCH OF BANKSY Reuters - Recent investigations suggest that the enigmatic street artist Banksy may be Robin Gunningham from Bristol, raising questions about how this revelation could impact his market value and public perception. While his identity might shift fans' views, the allure of Banksy's art, which critiques societal norms, continues to navigate the tension between commercial success and rebellious spirit. |
What's happening to house prices? Which? - April 22, 2024 UK house prices rose by 2.4% over the year leading to December 2025, with significant regional variations and a notable price gap between first-time buyers and home movers. Despite a slight monthly decline in December, experts predict continued growth in 2026 as the Bank of England reduces interest rates. |
Where LISA home purchases are happening PropertyWire - March 20, 2026 In 2025, first-time buyers utilising the Lifetime ISA (LISA) primarily purchased homes in Bristol, Belfast, and Sheffield, with an average government bonus of £2,594, as over 50,000 homes were acquired despite tough market conditions. Notably, Nottingham experienced the largest growth in LISA purchases, highlighting the scheme's impact on more affordable housing areas. |
‘Bristol can become the UK’s sauna capital’ Bristol24/7 - March 19, 2026 Bristol is rapidly becoming the UK's sauna capital, with the Bristol Sauna Trail expanding from six to 18 locations in just a year, reflecting a cultural shift towards communal spaces as traditional pubs decline. Amidst this trend, innovative sauna experiences like Johnny Palmer's ambitious Picaroon project promise to enhance social connections and offer unique wellness benefits in the heart of the city. |
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What’s on in Bristol this weekend?
Main picks
Bristol Gallery Weekend — a citywide arts weekend
Greg Davies: Full Fat Legend — comedy at Utilita Arena Bristol on Friday, 20 March 2026.
Bruce Foxton — live at Trinity Centre on Friday, 20 March 2026, 7:00 PM.
Crystal Tides, Luna Bay, Chasing Kites — at Thekla on Friday, 20 March 2026.
The Biggest Afro Caribbean Party in Bristol (March edition) — 98 Club, Friday night into Saturday morning.
All photos are credited to source articles unless otherwise specified.
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