Royalty free stock photo of Union Jack flags bunting in local street party.SeeThe 80th anniversary of VE Day
marking eight decades since the end of the Second World War in Europe (May 8
The day commemorates the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied Forces
the nation will be embarking on celebrations ranging from live music concerts
Remembrance services and exhibitions are also taking place
telling the important stories of local communities and its people - those who fought and died during the war
While the anniversary itself takes place on Thursday
the weekends either side of it - including this Bank Holiday weekend - boast a lot to get stuck into
Here's a list of events we know about so far..
Aerospace Bristol is hosting a step back in time to the year 1945
where visitors will be able to soak up the street party atmosphere in celebration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day
The museum promises a weekend packed with 'fun
Some of the activities on offer include being among the first to enter a real WWII air raid shelter in the new Filton Blitz Experience
see the WWII Bolingbroke bomber restored by volunteers
enjoy a cream tea out in a street party setting
There will also be games and activities for children across the weekend
On Monday (May 5) visitors can take part in a Lindy Hop dance class
say hello to Winston Churchill as he roams the museum
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Kingswood Heritage Museum - Guided Tour and Cream Tea VE Day 80 Celebration
On Monday (May 5) step back in time with a guided tour led by an expert curator at the museum
who will take you through the fascinating WWII exhibits to be found here
You'll be able to hear stories of the local community during wartime
as well as wartime artefacts and displays that bring the 1940s to life
After the tour, you'll be able to relax in the charming Windmill Cafe and enjoy a traditional cream tea, all included in your ticket. Find out more and book your tickets here
Berkeley Castle will be hosting a weekend of events to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day
From live performances from members of the D-Day Darlings
Find out what's on and book your tickets here
Flying the Union flag on Armed Forces Day 2017(Image: Paul Slater)May 6'Citizens of Bristol at War' at Portishead Library
Portishead Library will host an author and film event on Tuesday, May 6, from 11am until noon, with Clive Burton, a social historian. While a free event, you'll still need to book a ticket here
(Beacons will be lit across the city on this day - so check your local information if you can't see your beacon featured in the list below)
Long Ashton Royal British Legion at Peel Park
The Long Ashton Royal British Legion is hosting an event at Peel Park at 6pm on Thursday
There will be performances by the Church Choir
Plus there will be prizes for the best Demob Suit and Vera Lynn impersonation
The village beacon will be lit at 9.30pm as part of the National Chain of Beacons
Find out more here
Yate Town Council are hosting a beacon lighting event to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day
The event will take place at Tyler's Field
and will include musical performances from the D-Day Dollies
and a short service before the beacon is lit at 9.15pm
and attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets
Chipping Sodbury Town Trust will be lighting the beacon in Chipping Sodbury at 9.30pm (when beacons across the UK will also be lit to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day). According to the official VE Day events page
this will take place on Wickwar Road (BS37 6GA)
Residents are invited to join Siston Parish Council for an 80th anniversary of VE Day celebration
From 6.30pm you'll be able to enjoy a picnic of fish and chips
with live music from contemporary musician Robbie Culley beginning at 7.30pm
Rosemary will host a service with music from the Songsmith Quarter
You're welcome to wear costumes from the era and wave flags in celebration
Esteemed OAP luncheon and community evening celebration in Cadbury Heath
The Coronation Centre in Cadbury Heath is inviting all 'esteemed OAPs' to a special luncheon in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE Day
The afternoon will also include camaraderie
Later in the day (from 6-10pm) the Centre will open its doors to the rest of the community, with music and a 1940s fancy dress theme. Find out more here
Nailsea Town Council will be holding a raising the flag event from 9am on the village green
and supporting Holy Trinity Church with the lighting of the town beacon in the evening
Clevedon Pier is hosting a special talk by The Lady Time Traveller about the roles of women in the Second World War, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm
They’ll also have a fish and chip evening that night, and a VE Day Big Band Concert will be held at Clevedon Community Centre and the Princes Hall from 7.30pm - buy your concert tickets here
Bristol Dementia Action Alliance VE Day Celebration at Ambition House (BS11 0PZ)
From 1.30-3.30pm there will be an afternoon of celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day
Afternoon tea will be provided and there will be plenty of musical entertainment
Book your tickets here
Classic street party scenes - the road blocked off with chairs and a Union Flag
and bunting right across the road on Woodbridge Road(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)May 10Keynsham Bandstand Performance with 1940s Swing Band
Keynsham Town Council will be hosting a special VE Day bandstand performance in Memorial Park from 2-4pm
Thornbury Swing Band will be playing classics from the 1940s and memories of VE Day will be shared
friends and a picnic to enjoy what promises to be a special afternoon of live music and remembrance
This VE inspired concert will be performed by the popular WorleWind band and will feature a host of big band, wartime and patriotic tunes. It will take place at Uphill Road South, BS23 4SD) - find out more here
There will be free vintage bus rides running through the day between 10.30am and 4pm
taking you on a nostalgic bus ride through the village
there will be a theatrical performance titled 'Rationing Woes'
there will be a musical performance from the D-Day Dollies at 12.30pm
The British Royal Legion will be in attendance with special VE Day lapel pins available
More vintage bus rides will take place in Clifton on this day
There will then be an open day at The Clifton Club
one of Clifton's most historic venues
you'll be able to embark on guided tours of the 200-year-old club
and drinks in the elegant bar overlooking The Mall Gardens
there will be a number of live performances throughout the day
Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ invites guests to Bristol Cathedral for a special Evensong service to be held at 3.30pm to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)
Residents and business in Nailsea are invited to attend an engagement event this month to help shape the future of a transport hub and have their say on walking
wheeling and cycling routes in the town.
The public event will take place on:
Location: Outside Waitrose on the High Street in Nailsea town centre.
Council officers will be available to discuss potential plans and schemes.
Following previous engagement with local schools and key stakeholders to understand local concerns and aspirations
Nailsea residents will be invited to review initial plans at this drop-in session in the town.
Officers will also be available to discuss the proposed transport hub for Nailsea
giving the chance for communities to influence the initial concept designs for these important transport facilities.
transport hubs are intended to offer useful facilities that make it easier and more appealing to travel on foot
by wheel and by bus – providing a connection point between these different forms of transport
They also offer an attractive focal point for communities
helping to boost town and village centres.
Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council said: “If you live or work in Nailsea
North Somerset Council is working with the local community to help make it easier for people to get to school
the shops and travel for leisure and is an exciting opportunity to help directly shape the designs and tailor them to the needs of the community.
which support the council’s commitment to improve sustainable travel routes
medium and long-term projects (that would require future funding).
The transport hub initiative is UK Government-funded through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), with funding awarded specifically for this purpose. Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/bsip
North Somerset communities are to see changes and improvements to bus services in the region from Sunday 6 April 2025
in a bid to offer improved travel options and a better coordinated bus network for residents.
The network improvements have used community engagement from bus users
aiming to offer a more reliable and flexible service with improved community links
securing services for now and into the future
Some key improvements include the introduction of a new night bus service
an increase in frequency in certain areas and aligned timetables to help children get to school more easily
with students now able to access all Weston College campuses in Weston-super-Mare on a direct and faster service
X14: Bristol – Portishead – Clevedon – Weston-super-Mare – New night service
offering two late journeys on Fridays and Saturdays between Bristol
opening up nighttime opportunities for residents and supporting hospitality.
1: Sand Bay – WSM (via Kewstoke) – Seasonal increase in service
with a frequency increase from 60 to 30 minutes and the return of a Sunday service.
X5: WSM – Clevedon – Portishead – The X5 bus will now use the M5 between Worle and Clevedon
Claverham and Locking Castle will no longer be served by the route but will be picked up by the new X11 bus.
X11: WSM – Yatton – Clevedon – New service
The X11 offers service for Locking Castle/Weston Village
as well as a connection to Yatton Rail Station
There will be a reduction in frequency from 75 to 120 minutes
and the bus will serve West Wick instead of Worle on its way in and out of Weston
7: Worle – Weston Town Centre – Locking Parklands – In order to deliver a more consistent service
The changes aim to speed up journeys and make the service more efficient
so the bus will not serve the seafront and instead will travel via Alfred Street
Weston Interchange roadworks are planned to take place in March to enable buses to turn into/out of Alfred Street
7B: Weston Town Centre – Bleadon Hill – A variation of the number 7 bus
The service will travel from Weston Town Centre via Hildesheim Bridge to Weston General Hospital
increasing frequency for some parts of the 7 route.
7H: Weston Town Centre – Hutton – A variation of the number 7 bus
5: Atlantic Road – WSM – This area will now be serviced by the number 9.
9: Worlebury – Weston Town Centre – Improved service
including a route change and an improved timetable with additional journeys in the morning and the evening
20: Burnham – WSM (via Brean) – Seasonal increase in service
with a frequency increase from 70 to 35 minutes and the return of a Sunday service.
126: Wells – WSM (via Cheddar and Winscombe) – Improved timetable and a route change
Hutton will now be serviced by the 7H and Bleadon Hill will be served by the 7B.
Bournville) – Minor changes to the X1 timetable
There will be a new ‘X1s’ bus to take Backwell students from and to Long Ashton
with one service in the morning and one back in the afternoon
This route will be served by the region's first fleet of electric double-decker buses
X4: Bristol – Portishead (via Pill) – Minor changes to timetable
This route will be served by the region’s first fleet of electric double-decker buses.
X6: Bristol – Clevedon – Increased frequency to every 30 minutes and a new Sunday service
Walton Park will now be served by X7/X7A instead.
X7/X7A: Bristol – Nailsea – Clevedon – The X7 will take on the previous X8 route through east Nailsea and Nailsea and Backwell Station
The service will operate as the X7A during evenings and on Sundays
X8: Bristol – Backwell – Nailsea – This area will now be served by the X7 service
X9: Nailsea – Bristol – Minor changes to timetable.
X10: Clevedon – Southmead Hospital (via Portishead
including the first journey of the day moved earlier and last journey moved slightly later
A1: Bristol Bus Station – Bristol Airport – Service increased to every 7-8 minutes.
A3 Flyer: WSM – Congresbury – Cleeve – Bristol Airport – Increased frequency to every 30 minutes
and the bus will operate for a full 24-hour service.
M2: Long Ashton Park and Ride – Bristol City Centre – Extra late evening journeys Monday to Saturday and a new Sunday service for the first time
Useful for North Somerset residents wanting to make use of Long Ashton Park & Ride.
P1 (WESTlocal): Felton – Bristol (via Winford
Dundry and Imperial Park) – Minor changes to timetables based on feedback from residents.
There are also minor changes to the WESTlink boundaries in Weston-super-Mare
to include Weston College’s Knightstone Campus
Loxton Campus and South West Skills Campus.
Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council
said: “Using community feedback is a key part in improving our bus services in North Somerset
Following the increased feedback from residents on overcrowding on late buses
we hope that the introduction of late buses on Friday and Saturday nights from Bristol will be popular
and therefore commercially viable services.
We’re trying to stretch the resources available to match competing demands
This does mean that not every person will get the service they would like
we ask that residents continue to talk to us
and we will continue to make improvements throughout the year.”
service changes are put in place every April and September
basing amendments on passenger numbers and community needs as part of North Somerset Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
funded by the Department for Transport.
For full details of the bus service changes, visit First Bus' website
For information on the X10 bus, visit The Big Lemon's website
Communities are being invited to have their say on fresh designs for creating attractive new transport hubs in three North Somerset towns
as well as upgrading the Worle Interchange.
can now take part in a survey for their area
and comment on specific design features.
Communities will also be able to discuss plans at several community events.
Transport hubs are intended to offer useful facilities that make it easier and more appealing to travel on foot
by wheel and by bus – providing a connection point between these different forms of transport
helping to boost town and village centres.
The four transport hub designs and locations have been directly shaped by conversations with community representatives
businesses and bus operators – to create sensitive
attractive designs tailored to local needs and the environment.
While hub designs differ from town to town
they include features such as high-quality bus shelters and waiting areas
said: “We have a fantastic opportunity here to enhance our public spaces and make it easier and more comfortable for residents to choose sustainable travel options in Clevedon
with these bespoke transport hubs.
attractive designs that are tailored to the local needs and the environment
we are really keen to hear of practical feedback from local residents
“I would urge anyone interested in what the changes could bring to the accessibility
economy and experience of your local town to take part in the survey and get behind this exciting project.”
The individual surveys on the four distinct hub designs are open Tuesday 18 March - Friday 11 April.
The transport hubs initiative is funded by UK government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), working to sustain, improve and strengthen North Somerset’s sustainable transport network. The conditions of the BSIP funding mean it cannot be used to pay for any unrelated council activities or services, such as road maintenance. Read more at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/bsip.
Imperial, Nailsea & Backwell and Dings Crusaders are the featured Club Connexion partners for the visit of Northampton Saints to Bear Country on Friday, October 25th.
The three local rugby clubs from the Foundation’s Club Connexion programme take centre stage as Pat Lam’s men host the reigning Premiership champions (7.45pm KO).
Club Connexion is our local club partnership offer which supports the community clubs with coach education workshops, player development camps and many other benefits.
All 30 local rugby clubs will enjoy a featured Bristol Bears home game at Ashton Gate throughout the 2024/25 season as part of the Club Connexion programme and you can find out more about Imperial, Nailsea and Backwell and Dings Crusaders below.
One of Bristol’s oldest rugby clubs, Imperial RFC is a great family club located in the heart of south Bristol with thriving mini, juniors and girls sections.
With rugby enjoyment central to the club’s philosophy, Imperial has youngsters from as young as U6 to U16 as well as a full girls section with U12s, U14s and U16s.
“We got involved in the Club Connexion programme to improve the rugby experience for our players, coaches and parents. It gives our players opportunities to meet their idols and also helps us improve the coaching standards with the Foundation’s CPD events.
“We’re really looking forward to our featured match as it’s an excellent fixture between two great running rugby sides. It’s great to have this connection with the Bears as it gives our players exposure to experiences like this that they normally wouldn’t get.”
Established in 1972 and with over 50 years of continuous playing history, Nailsea and Backwell – otherwise known as The Ravens – are at the heart of a local community and are inclusive of every age with a proud history of developing homegrown talent.
Located in Nailsea, North Somerset, the club field three senior teams, colts, a burgeoning youth section as well as Touch Rugby and Silver Ravens Walking Rugby.
Alan Wilson, from Nailsea and Backwell, said: “Apart from being an amazing sport, rugby is an amazing vehicle for developing young people into productive and resilient members of our community.
“To have the Bears spearheading this drive to raise the standards of rugby for our young players is not only a worthwhile endeavour, but it also provides aspiration for our young people. To see and even be coached by your heroes is a massive boost for our youngsters.”
Originally formed by The Shaftesbury Crusader in the Dings area, around Temple Meads and Barton Hill, Dings Crusaders came into being after moving from their based in Lockleaze to their current impressive home of Shaftesbury Park in Frenchay.
Dings Crusaders have three senior men’s teams and the Dings Crusaders Mavericks, the club’s first women’s XV, while there’s also a thriving mini and junior section with new players always welcome to the friendly and welcoming club.
Baz Johnson, Dings Crusaders and Shaftesbury Park Media, said: “The Club Connexion programme is great as it brings grassroots rugby closer to the top flight game, with opportunities for all young players of all abilities, and key learning for coaches.
“There is a real buzz around the junior section for our featured game against Saints. It’s a great bonding experience for all and we have seen a greater interaction between the age groups and coaches, plus a connection between the adult sections too.
“We are especially proud to be part of the Connexion programme as not only does it link us to the Bears, but it underlines our commitment to supporting both senior development with our 1st XV, but also the Bears Women home ground.”
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Local people in Nailsea are being invited to have their say on walking, wheeling and cycling routes in the town.
North Somerset Council is working with the local community to help make it easier for people to get to school, work, the shops and travel for leisure.
The plans, which support the council’s commitment to improve sustainable travel routes, include a range of short, medium and long-term projects (that would require future funding).
The council has been working with schools and key stakeholders to understand local concerns and aspirations and outline a walking, wheeling and cycling network that addresses local needs.
Nailsea residents are now invited to review the initial plans at two drop-in sessions in the town.
The events will be attended by council officers and people will be able to leave comments on the proposed new network.
Friday 6 December at Tesco, Nailsea between 12pm and 2.30pm
Saturday 7 December as part of the Eat Nailsea Festival between 10.30pm and 3.30pm. The stand will be in front of Holland and Barrett.
Cllr Hannah Young, North Somerset Council's executive member with responsibility for sustainable travel said: "This is a great opportunity for people to get involved in the future of active travel in the town.
"We have been working hard to design a network of routes that further encourage walking, wheeling and cycling and make it easier for active travel to be the transport mode of choice.
"Please come along and have your say on these exciting proposals."
Cllr Clare Hunt, ward member for Nailsea Youngwood added: "Do ensure you go along and have your say about how you would like to use all the routes available to travel in an around Nailsea.
This is a fabulous opportunity for you to contribute so we can make the best use of our footways, bridle paths and cycle tracks."
Play Brightcove videoWatch Trevor Maybury tell ITV News' Max Walsh about losing his job
A man from Nailsea claims he lost his job at a building site after leaving work early for kidney dialysis treatment
who was employed as a traffic marshall through an agency
had been receiving dialysis for two months but says he was suddenly told he was being let go at the end of January
Mr Maybury says he was left shocked and in “disbelief”
He said: “Given the opportunity I can work
"I don’t normally get emotional but it’s just ridiculous."
Trevor has been living with chronic kidney disease for a number of years and started dialysis in December while waiting for a transplant
He says he began leaving work early twice a week
so he could travel from the building site in Congresbury to South Bristol for treatment
Mr Maybury claims he was told he was not in position when he needed to be and he was being replaced
needs a traffic marshall on site at all times during the working day
Disability rights lawyer Chris Fry says more should be done to support workers like Trevor
even if they are employed through agencies or on zero-hours contracts
You owe them a duty even if they are an agency or an employer
"The upshot is if someone discloses they have a kidney issue which has a life changing impact then you have a responsibility to those people to look after them
"That’s really what the equality act says.”
Mr Maybury is now hoping to get work elsewhere
He says he is desperate to keep earning and busy
while he manages his life threatening illness