Bristol Highlights: From Winter Flurries to Festive Fun and Local Achievements

Bristol experienced a brief period of winter weather this week, with snow falling in the city on Tuesday, though it did not accumulate as heavily as in other areas of the West. These light snowfalls contributed to a more festive ambiance in the city centre. Additionally, Aardman offered a preview of the upcoming Wallace and Gromit film, slated for release at Christmas. In Bishopston, a special ceremony took place to commemorate the childhood home of Cary Grant, who later moved to Hollywood. Despite Bristol not experiencing the significant snow accumulation that impacted other regions of the country on Tuesday, sufficient snowfall occurred to necessitate Bristol Rovers players dressing warmly for their training session. This did not appear to hinder their performance, as they secured a 1-0 victory away against Mansfield on Saturday. Laya, the recently introduced red panda at Bristol Zoo Project, was among the animals that endured the cold winds and snowfall on Tuesday, during Bristol’s short period of wintry conditions. The Gromit Unleashed 3 trail has been officially confirmed, promising the return of Aardman characters throughout Bristol in the summer of 2025. This announcement comes as enthusiasts anticipate the release of the newest Aardman film, scheduled for Christmas. Brunelf, Bristol’s distinctive giant Elf on the Shelf, has returned, making an appearance on Park Street on Friday. He is set to travel across the city between now and Christmas Eve, with the top selfie taken alongside him earning a £500 shopping gift card, courtesy of two of the city’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Bristol Bears Women achieved an emphatic victory over Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday at Shaftesbury Park in Frenchay, scoring four tries during the match. The sixth annual Tech South West Awards took place at Ashton Gate this week, acknowledging the 18,000 technology companies operating in the region. Among the recipients of awards were Bristol-based companies Neuronostics (pictured), Albotherm, and WASE. Bristol City competed against Burnley in a lunchtime kick-off at Ashton Gate on Saturday, coinciding with Storm Bert’s impact on the West. A goal from Jaidon Anthony proved sufficient for the visiting team to claim a 1-0 victory. Musicians from the Bristol Ensemble have collaborated with three local schools to prepare a special performance, marking the group’s 30th anniversary and 15 years of its music education initiative, Preludes Music. Residents of Totterdown have been tracing the paths of individuals who may have ascended St Luke’s Steps over the last 140 years. The Museum of Totterdown partnered with local residents to investigate the area’s history for a project titled Ghosts on the Steps, which forms part of a broader heritage trail. A blue plaque was unveiled at the childhood residence of Bristol native Cary Grant, whose birth name was Archie Leach. He spent his formative years in the city before relocating to Hollywood and achieving legendary status as an actor. The plaque is now visible on the Bishopston house where he resided with his parents. Dan Norris, the West of England Mayor and MP for North East Somerset & Hanham, was questioned by students during his visit to Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common, an event held as part of UK Parliament week. Among the topics he addressed were lowering the voting age to 16, accessible transportation, and support for pensioners. Volunteers from Bristol’s St Peter’s Hospice are preparing to collect Christmas trees after the festive season concludes. These trees will be recycled to generate funds. For those wishing to donate, collections are scheduled to take place from January 10 to 12. For updates, follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.