Children at St Mary’s School in Broughton Gifford enjoyed a magical start to the new term when award-winning children’s author Sophie Kirtley visited for a special book launch celebration. Sophie’s new book Swanfall has just been released. It’s a wintery adventure inspired by Irish mythology and by the real-life Bewick’s swans who migrate to the...
Category: General news
First Steps seeks new trustees to help shape brighter futures for Bath’s children
Bath charity First Steps is inviting local people to join its Board of Trustees and play a part in transforming the lives of children and families across the city. For more than 30 years, First Steps has been supporting families in Twerton, Moorlands and beyond through quality childcare, early education and family services that help...
Young designer’s artwork takes centre stage at Swindon’s Day of the Dead Festival
A talented young designer from Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon has seen her creativity come to life this weekend, with her artwork chosen to promote the town’s first-ever Day of the Dead Festival on Sunday 2 November. The festival, organised by the Old Town Business Association, will transform Wood Street in Swindon’s Old Town into...
Families set for a magical adventure at Longleat’s Festival of Light
Longleat is once again set to dazzle families this winter as The Festival of Light returns from 8 November 2025 to 11 January 2026, transforming the Wiltshire estate into a glowing wonderland of colour, creativity and festive fun. This year’s theme, A Magical Adventure, invites visitors on an extraordinary journey around the world through spectacular...
Over 170 families, students and staff take part in RUHX night-time Glow Run
Over 170 people lit up the night for Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH Bath) at the Glow run on Friday 24 October. The event took place at Odd Down Sports Ground, and despite the wet and windy weather, families, students and NHS staff braved the elements to give back to their local hospital. Kicked off...
Finding clarity and confidence through perimenopause – helping women feel like themselves again
For years, Karen Leigh prided herself on her focus, memory and ability to think five steps ahead. Working in corporate HR, she thrived in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, juggling complex projects and people challenges with ease. Then, without warning, things began to change. “Words started to disappear,” Karen remembers. “Sentences became muddled. I’d lose track of...
Living Well Through Music: unlocking children’s wellbeing through sound
Music can unlock something special in every child – a way to express feelings, build confidence and find joy. That belief is at the heart of Living Well Through Music, based at Griffin Studios near Lacock, a therapeutic music service created by music therapist Alphonso Archer, MA (HCPC Registered). The service offers music therapy, creative music-making...
Families invited to go green with Wiltshire Libraries this half term
Wiltshire Libraries will be marking Green Libraries Week 2025 with a packed programme of free eco-themed events, activities and advice for families across the county. Running until Sunday 2 November, the national campaign celebrates how libraries are helping communities build a greener, more sustainable future. This year’s theme – Seeds of Change: Make a Difference with...
Straight from the red carpet: del Toro and stars honour Bath with signed Frankenstein poster
The House of Frankenstein in Bath has just added a new treasure to its ever-growing collection — and this one comes straight from Hollywood’s red carpet. Wayne Sheridan, who visited the museum over the summer, surprised staff with an official poster from the newly released Frankenstein film, signed by director Guillermo del Toro and stars Jacob Elordi (The Creature) and Oscar Isaac...
Warm Spaces return to Bath & North East Somerset – welcoming families to stay warm and connected this winter
Families across Bath & North East Somerset are once again being invited to make use of Warm Spaces — welcoming venues across the area offering warmth, company and support throughout the colder months. Now in its fourth year, the Warm Spaces scheme has relaunched for Autumn/Winter 2025–26, with dozens of community venues listed on the...
An evening with Clive Deamer of Portishead coming to Roseberry Road Studios in Bath
Bath’s Roseberry Road Studios – the city’s new creative hub for music, art and performance – will welcome one of the UK’s most inventive drummers this November. Clive Deamer, best known for his work with Portishead, Roni Size Reprazent and Radiohead, will be appearing at the venue on 8 November for a special Q&A and...
Make handwriting fun – expert advice for Now, Next & Then
Rachel White, a Children’s Occupational Therapist with Now, Next & Then, explains how to support a child with their handwriting One of my favourite things to do with children is to support them to develop their handwriting skills. I often meet young people who have struggled to consolidate the basic skills of this complicated activity....
Royal High School Bath offering a morning of magic with Wicked-themed open event
Royal High Bath is set to host a spellbinding Wicked-themed open event on Saturday 29 November, 10:00-12:30. Girls will be invited to channel their inner Glinda or Elphaba as they take part in a range of imaginative activities, from making potions and learning spells to getting active with a choreographed dance. After all the magic-making...
Oldfield Park pupils raise funds to protect endangered pangolins
A group of Year 6 pupils from Oldfield Park Junior School in Bath have been inspired to take action to protect one of the world’s most endangered animals – the pangolin. The idea began when pupil Hayden Brown watched a wildlife documentary with her aunt shortly before a family trip to South Africa. Fascinated by...
Major investment proposed for safer, healthier school journeys for B&NES pupils
A major new investment in safer, healthier and more sustainable school journeys is being proposed by Bath and North East Somerset Council, with plans to introduce a number of School Streets across Bath. Following requests from schools for improvements around their entrances to support walking and cycling, the council is proposing new School Streets at...
Inaugural Giving Day at King Edward’s School, Bath raises an incredible £126,287
The first ever Giving Day at King Edward’s School, Bath, which brought together pupils, staff, parents, Old Edwardians and supporters in a joyful celebration of the KES community’s spirit and generosity, has raised an extraordinary £126,287 to support the school’s means-tested Bursary Programme and two new outdoor spaces for learning and wellbeing. Giving Day saw...
How the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is changing lives in Bath & North East Somerset
In a world where young people face increasing challenges transitioning from education into employment, the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme in Bath & North East Somerset is quietly transforming futures. Designed to support 16–21-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the initiative offers tailored, person-centred support that meets young people where they are...
Pitton Primary celebrates 175 years of learning, laughter and community
Pitton Primary School in Wiltshire has marked an incredible milestone – its 175th anniversary – with a day of celebrations that brought together generations of pupils, families and staff past and present. On 10 October, the village school welcomed the local community to join in the festivities, with tea, a celebratory cake, music from the...
Royal High Bath launches Flying Club to inspire next generation of female STEM leaders
Royal High School Bath (RHB) has taken STEM education to new heights with the launch of its first-ever Flying Club – an exciting initiative inspiring students to explore the world of aviation and aerospace engineering. Open to students from Years 7 to 13 and run in partnership with British Young Pilots, the club offers a...
Spooky family fun on the Trowbridge Pumpkin Trail
Families are invited to enjoy some spooky half-term fun this Halloween by joining the annual Trowbridge Pumpkin Trail, running from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November. The popular event will see 34 individually decorated pumpkins displayed in shops and businesses across Trowbridge town centre, each with its own creative twist – from spooky and...
Parents urged to apply for secondary school places before 31 October deadline
Wiltshire Council is reminding parents and carers of children currently in Year 6 that the deadline to apply for secondary school places for September 2026 is fast approaching. All applications must be submitted by Friday 31 October 2025 to ensure the best chance of securing a preferred school and parents and carers are encouraged to...