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From our Editor,

Bristol Bites: Municipal money makers

April is the month when many Bristolians are most grumpy about matters municipal. Fresh (and increased) council tax bills hit doormats and inboxes. Not all residents are happy about the services they receive for the money. 

The cry of “what are we paying for?” goes up. And, inevitably, there is greater scrutiny of salaries paid to senior Bristol City Council officers. 

Let’s look at the numbers. Here are the council’s top five earners:

For many citizens, these seem punchy pay packets for pen pushers. Mr Hibberd gets paid more than the Prime Minister! But that’s always been a lazy and pointless comparison (one favoured by journalists after an angle and on a deadline).

The real comparison should be with others in similar roles. More than 260 council officers across the country received total remuneration in excess of £200,000 each in 2024. The highest paid was Glasgow City Council boss Annemarie O’Donnell, who received £567,317 (a big chunk of which was pension contributions but, hey, it’s all money).

And then there is the money paid to the top brass at the West of England Combined Authority, within which Bristol falls.

WECA apparently manages funding for infrastructure, transport and housing, while investing in skills training, job creation and green innovation. All very laudable, if a little nebulous. It doesn’t provide any direct services to the citizens of Bristol and its neighbouring areas. No social care, no education services, no street cleaning, no bin collection.

So, how much does the CEO of WECA, Stephen Peacock get paid? £205,000 as of 2025. A few quid more than Mr Hibberd - with no frontline service responsibilities. 

Mr Peacock’s interim predecessor, Richard Ennis, received £120,664 in 2024 for 10 weeks work. Pro rata, that equates to well over £650,000 for a full 12 months.

In the context of the figures above, it appears Mr Hibberd and his senior team may well be providing (relatively) good value for money. But they will be judged on delivery. Decent and dignified social care. Affordable and well maintained social housing. Excellent education services. Swept roads and bins emptied on time. 

Bristolians demand and deserve no less.

Rhidian Wynn Davies | Editor in Chief

BB82 V2 Data Box

Another sweep across the tech arc that embraces Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge - creative cities at the heart of British innovation. How do they compare on travel and transport?

Bristol: 39.2 Oxford: 119.9 Cambridge: 224.3

Bristol: 8.1 Oxford: 8.5 Cambridge: 8.1

Bristol: 6.9 Oxford: 7.2 Cambridge: 7.1

Bristol: 8.7 Oxford: 9.7 Cambridge: 8.6

It’s always difficult to pick the bones out of this type of data. But one thing screams out: cars in these cities are pretty pointless, at least during the working week. Owning a car costs in terms of tax and insurance, before you get on to the price of fuel. And Bristol has a relatively scarce number of public charging points for electric vehicles. Driving to work in Bristol saves under three minutes compared with using public transport or walking.

The message seems to be bike and hike. Rather than sit in a traffic jam with an idling engine, coughing out toxic fumes, and staring at the rear end of a Volvo at a red light. 

Source: Office for National Statistics

Scroll down for best of Instagram, sport, property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…

Bristol Bears

The Bears tore Gloucester to pieces last Friday night in a seven try, 53-12 mauling at Ashton Gate. The Cherry and Whites failed to trouble the scoreboard in the second half, emphasising Bristol’s utter dominance. 

The win brought a welcome five points for The Bears as they continue to hunt for a top four playoff place. Things got even better on Saturday - up to a point. Fourth placed Exeter Chiefs lost 28-35 Northampton Saints at home. But the Chiefs managed to snaffle two bonus points - one for losing narrowly and one for scoring four tries.

There are still five games to go, but there is a mountain to climb. In the Prem table, Bristol lie fifth on 43 points, while Exeter occupy that precious fourth place berth on 47.

An unexpected - and unacceptable - 14-18 defeat in March to lowly Harlequins was a huge blow. A blow which may well haunt top man Pat Lam, his players and the fans come the end of the season. Five points went begging. Five points which could, and probably will, prove crucial. 

Next up are Newcastle away next Friday night (7.45pm).

Bristol City

The Hodgson honeymoon lingers, but the sun is setting on City’s season. Roy the Boy has done well to steady things at Ashton Gate as interim gaffer. Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw against Southampton was a decent result coupled with a positive performance. 

The only real blot on the Hodgson copy book was last Saturday’s shocking defeat to Norwich City at home. The Robins were 2-0 up at halftime, but contrived to lose 4-2 come the final whistle.

So, it’s mid-table mediocrity for City, having been real Championship playoff contenders earlier in the season.

The Robins have two games left: Birmingham City away (Saturday 25 April, 3pm) and Stoke City at the Gate (Saturday 2 May, 12.30pm).

One suspects the squad’s thoughts are already turning to sun lotion and speedos. 

Bristol Rovers

Rock n Roll Rovers. It’s now seven League Two wins on the trot after The Pirates slayed Tranmere 2-1 away at Prenton Park. A remarkable 21 points from 21 on offer.

This brilliant run of form has put fears of relegation firmly in the past. Rovers are safe. They lie a creditable 15th in the League Two table. The best The Pirates can achieve come the end of the season is 13th. Whatever transpires, it’s been a remarkable turnaround for Rovers. 

Two games to go. First up? Cheltenham at The Mem, Saturday 25 April, 3pm. Go the Gas!

Guinness Women’s Six Nations: Red Roses v Wales – Ashton Gate (Sat 25 April 2026)
On Saturday 25 April the England women’s rugby team (the Red Roses) face Wales in the Six Nations at Ashton Gate. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to soak up pre‑match entertainment and secure seats; the stadium offers ample parking, accessible facilities and covered stands. Expect top‑tier women’s rugby and a vibrant atmosphere.
https://www.myguidebristol.com/events/guinness-womens-six-nations-red-roses-v-wales

Bris‑Fest 2026 – The Sawmills (Sat 25 April 2026, 14:00–23:00)
For dance‑music lovers, Bris‑Fest returns on Saturday 25 April with a sprawling indoor–outdoor festival at The Sawmills complex on Eugene Street. Running from 14:00 to 23:00 and open to those aged 18+, it transforms the venue into a playground of six stages, street‑food traders and stalls. The line‑up spans drum‑and‑bass, trance and bass music genres with performers such as P Money, Devilman, Navigator, Dread MC and DJ Hybrid.
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Bristol/Sawmills/Bris-Fest-2026/41652627/

Silent Disco – Bangers & Mashups – Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (Sat 25 April 2026, 19:00–22:00)
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery hosts a playful silent disco on Saturday evening from 19:00 to 22:00. Ticket‑holders (18 and over) receive wireless LED headphones with multiple channels and can dance beneath the museum’s spectacular lighting while DJs spin break‑up hits and dancefloor classics. LED batons are provided and a full bar is available; glow sticks are not permitted.
https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/silent-disco-bangers/

Bristol Radical History Festival 2026 – M Shed & Cube Microplex (Sat 25 – Sun 26 April 2026)
This free festival celebrates radical history with talks, panel discussions, exhibitions and history walks. It runs over the weekend: Saturday’s programme (10:30–16:30) takes place at M Shed on the harbourside and explores themes like the 1926 General Strike and Welsh risings; Sunday’s sessions shift to the Cube Microplex (13:00–21:00) for a “Utopias and Dystopias” symposium. Visitors can browse stalls from over 30 publishers and attend the premiere of new history pamphlets.
https://www.brh.org.uk/site/event-series/bristol-radical-history-festival-2026/

Forbidden Worlds Film Festival 2026 – Bristol Megascreen (Sun 26 April 2026)
The Forbidden Worlds festival, Bristol’s genre film celebration, concludes on Sunday at the Bristol Megascreen. Running 23–26 April, it screens fantasy and science‑fiction favourites such as a new 4K restoration of Excalibur, a 40‑year anniversary showing of Highlander and cult classics like The Brotherhood of the Wolf and The Legend of the 8 Samurai. Special guests include armourer Terry English and representatives from the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation.
https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-megascreen/sun-26-apr-forbidden-worlds-film-festival-2026-festival-passes-149335

The Scratch – Thekla (Sun 26 April 2026, 18:30)
Dublin folk‑metal outfit The Scratch bring their “Pull Like A Dog” tour to Thekla on Sunday evening. Doors open at 18:30, with tickets priced around £20. The band blends acoustic and electric folk‑metal, and their forthcoming album (due in March 2026) has already received acclaim; the group’s live shows are renowned for high energy.
https://www.theklabristol.co.uk/gigs/the-scratch/

Ireland: The Silent Voices – The Cube (Sun 26 April 2026, 19:00)
As part of the Radical History Festival’s propaganda theme, the Cube screens Ireland: The Silent Voices, a seldom‑seen 1983 Channel 4 documentary exploring media narratives during the Northern Ireland conflict. The 19:00 screening includes a discussion with director Professor Rod Stoneman and is recommended for audiences aged 18+.
https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-cube/sun-26-apr-ireland-the-silent-voices-149784

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