Wiltshire families are being reminded that there is just over a month left to apply for primary school places for children starting school in September 2026. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026. Applications can be submitted online via Wiltshire Council’s website or by using a paper form available from the council’s Customer Services Team...
Category: Featured
St Benedict’s Primary School pupils enjoy a host of Christmas activities
Pupils from St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School, part of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, have been overflowing with festive cheer. Children and staff at the Midsomer Norton school have taken part in a host of Christmas activities, celebrating the season, supporting good causes and spreading community spirit. The celebrations began with a fun-filled pantomime organised...
Review – A Christmas Carol at the Theatre Royal Bath
Victoria Walters enjoys a one-man performance of a festive masterpiece Master storyteller, Guy Masterson, renowned for his distinctive brand of physical storytelling in one-man productions of classic stories such as Animal Farm and Under Milk Wood, makes a very welcome fifth annual Christmas visit to Bath’s Theatre Royal this week. He returns with his spellbinding,...
Funding confirmed for new specialist education schools in Bath
Families across Bath and North East Somerset are set to benefit from long-awaited investment in specialist education, following confirmation that government funding has been secured for two new schools on the Culverhay site in Bath. The announcement comes as part of a national commitment to create at least 50,000 new places for children with special...
Winners announced in Wera Hobhouse MP’s Christmas card competition
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has announced the winners of her annual Christmas card competition, after receiving a record number of entries from schoolchildren across the city. Launched in October, the competition invited local pupils to create artwork inspired by the theme A Bath Christmas. With more submissions than ever before, Wera said the standard this...
Grinch brings festive mischief to students at staff at Wiltshire College’s Salisbury campus
Students and staff at Wiltshire College & University Centre were treated to a surprise visit last week when the Grinch himself appeared on the Salisbury campus for a festive filming project – bringing laughter, mischief and plenty of Christmas cheer. The much-loved character was brought to life by 17-year-old Izzy Barnett from Marlborough, a Performing...
Christmas Lights at Stourhead: A magical new festive family favourite
Ian Waller and his family enjoy a wonderful visit to the stunning Christmas Lights at Stourhead in Wiltshire There’s a wonderful choice of Christmas lights for families across the Bath and Wiltshire region, with Longleat and Westonbirt among the most popular. And they’re great – we’ve been to both and loved them. But this year...
A family Sunday lunch at Flourish Farleigh Road: Bath mum reviews this standout roast
Bath mum Georgie Crawshaw heads to Flourish’s Farleigh Road site near Norton St Philip with her young son and a friend, discovering a crowd-pleasing Sunday roast, warm family-friendly service and plenty to keep little ones happy. Is there anything better than a slap-up Sunday roast and catching up with a friend you haven’t seen for...
Review – The Further Adventures of Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal Bath Panto
Ian Waller and his family enjoy traditional fun and silliness with Bath’s best panto The Theatre Royal Bath panto is back and we couldn’t be happier. For so many families across the region, this show marks the true start of Christmas, and even with my three now firmly in their teenage years, there was never...
Then Now When – Helping families shape sustainable, future-proof homes
Introducing Then Now When – the Bath-based practice blending heritage, sustainability and family living Families across Bath and Wiltshire are increasingly looking for ways to make their homes work harder for them, whether that’s creating better space for growing children, improving energy efficiency or protecting the character of an older property. One practice helping them...
Dementia wellbeing programmes and activities helping to transform lives
Many families across Bath and Wiltshire are part of a ‘sandwich generation’, juggling the needs of children while also caring for ageing parents and grandparents. For those supporting a loved one with dementia, finding reliable, local and compassionate help can be life-changing. A new programme from ReMind UK, the Bath-based dementia charity, will be welcome...
Malcolm Bond appointed permanent Head of The Paragon School
The Paragon School in Bath has appointed Malcolm Bond as its permanent Head, who will be taking up the post in January 2026. He succeeds Rosie Allen following a highly competitive recruitment process. Malcolm brings extensive experience in independent education. He joined Prior Park College in 2012 and has progressed through a series of leadership...
Bath Literature Festival announces first 2026 event with The Rest is History’s Tom Holland
Bath Literature Festival 2026 has unveiled its first headline event, confirming that Tom Holland – award-winning historian and star of the world’s most downloaded history podcast, The Rest is History – will appear at The Forum next May, with tickets available from 10am on Friday 12 December. Holland will take audiences deep into the world...
Introducing Flowerpot – a colourful, multilingual AI companion at Stonar
Stonar’s prep school pupils have welcomed a very unusual new classmate this week: Flowerpot, a colourful, multilingual AI companion created to spark creativity, curiosity and environmental action in young learners. Stonar is one of only four UK schools – and more than 40 across nine countries – taking part in the pioneering Globeducate initiative. Schools...
RUH Bath maternity team praised in latest national CQC survey
The maternity team at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised once again for providing supportive, respectful and high-quality care, following the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s 2025 Maternity Survey. Feedback from women and birthing people who gave birth at the hospital earlier this year places the RUH better or...
Christmas gifting: How to be generous and tax-efficient
By Andrew Langbridge, Private Client Solicitor, Goughs Solicitors Christmas naturally brings out people’s desire to give. Many parents and grandparents want to offer financial help, especially with rising costs putting pressure on younger generations. While the sentiment is simple, the tax rules around gifting can be less so. Understanding such allowances can help you support...
Follow the Trowbridge Snowman Trail for some festive fun this Christmas
Families can enjoy some wonderfully cool Christmas fun this winter by taking part in the Trowbridge Snowman Trail, which runs across the town centre from Friday 12 December to Sunday 4 January. A total of 32 individually decorated snowmen will be displayed in shops, cafés and venues across the town. There are some great prizes...
Review – the Coast Trail range of children’s bikes from Marin
Georgina Crawshaw and her four-year-old son test out one of Marin’s kid specific Neighborhood bikes – the Coast Trail 20in 7. Photos by Andy Lloyd Talk about Christmas coming early! This little beauty is part of the Coast Trail range from award-winning manufacturer Marin. Maybe not a brand you’ve heard of, but don’t let that...
WASPS footballers crowned champions after 70-mile dash to the final
The Year 5 and 6 boys’ football team at Weston All Saints Church of England Primary School (WASPS) in Bath have been crowned champions of this year’s Bath & North East Somerset ESFA Tournament – despite a dramatic 70-mile dash to make the final. The tournament concluded at Odd Down on 20 November, right in...
How Roots Allotments is helping families across Bath reconnect with nature and the joy of growing
Fancy growing your own vegetables and enjoying some outdoor time with your family? Ed Morrison, co-founder of Roots Allotments, talks to us about the fast-growing movement helping families enjoy time outdoors, learn new skills and grow their own food – and why a Roots membership voucher might be the perfect Christmas gift. Roots Allotments began...
New Performing Arts Institute launches in Bath with classes, workshops and plenty of performance opportunities
A brand-new performing arts school is launching in Bath, with weekly classes, holiday workshops and musical theatre opportunities for young people aged 6–16. The Performing Arts Institute, founded by professional singer, actor and theatre maker Carley, will open its doors this January – with Bath families invited to enjoy a free two-week trial. Carley says...