Arriva Traincare 'disappointed' over strike action
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Arriva Traincare has reacted with disappointment over plans for further strike action.
The firm, which has a base at Bristol's Barton Hill railway depot, said it would put "robust contingency plans" in place to deal with the impact of the strike, set to take place on the 18th August.
Quote Message: Arriva TrainCare are disappointed in the RMT's continuation of an industrial dispute over a pay claim that was settled a couple of months ago with the company's recognised trade union Unite. The accepted pay deal was awarded to all staff in May, backdated to January 2017, and there is therefore no actual pay dispute and therefore no grounds for strike action. That said, Arriva TrainCare management and staff are determined to put in place robust contingency plans to ensure our customers are not impacted by this unnecessary strike action. from Arriva Trains spokesperson
Arriva TrainCare are disappointed in the RMT's continuation of an industrial dispute over a pay claim that was settled a couple of months ago with the company's recognised trade union Unite. The accepted pay deal was awarded to all staff in May, backdated to January 2017, and there is therefore no actual pay dispute and therefore no grounds for strike action. That said, Arriva TrainCare management and staff are determined to put in place robust contingency plans to ensure our customers are not impacted by this unnecessary strike action.
Video caption: Watch: See the wheelchair being usedWatch: See the wheelchair being used
Technology is used for all sorts of things these days - but how about helping disabled adults to dance.
Students at the National Star College, near Cheltenham, have been working with Remap Gloucestershire, a charity which helps disabled people live more independent lives.
The result is possibly the UK's first dancing wheelchair.
Call for clarity over future leadership of criticised fire authority
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Video caption: Watch: Sue Mountstevens, police and crime commisioner, says she has been asked to join the leadershipWatch: Sue Mountstevens, police and crime commisioner, says she has been asked to join the leadership
There has been a call for clarity over the future leadership of Avon Fire and Rescue Service after a government report which heavily criticised the organisation.
Earlier today more than 60 recommendations were debated and passed by those at an authority meeting to improve the running of the service.
One recommendation was rejected - to explore whether governance should be handed to Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner.
Quote Message: In the light of the announcement yesterday by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the leaders of the four unitary authorities there was a great deal of debate about the future constitution of the Fire Authority and how that can best serve local people. We need more clarity on that proposal as this came as a surprise to the Authority. from Cllr Donald Davies Chair of Avon Fire Authority
In the light of the announcement yesterday by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the leaders of the four unitary authorities there was a great deal of debate about the future constitution of the Fire Authority and how that can best serve local people. We need more clarity on that proposal as this came as a surprise to the Authority.
Guard honoured with train namesake
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Video caption: Watch: South West Trains honour guard with train named after himWatch: South West Trains honour guard with train named after him
A train has been named in honour of a South West Trains guard who died just before Christmas.
It's believed to be the first time a train has been named after a guard after colleagues wanted to pay tribute to Dave Gunson, from Tidworth in Wiltshire.
Mr Gunson, a father of three and grandfather of nine, died aged 65 after being hit by a car as her cycled to work.
The train was unveiled at a ceremony in Woking, attended by Mr Gunson's wife of 35 years, Chrystine, who said Mr Gunson had never held a driving licence and cycled everywhere.
Graffiti documentary given special screening
A special BBC1 documentary had its premiere at Bristol's Arnolfini tonight.
Vandals and Visionaries explores Bristol's graffiti arts scene, which gave birth to world-famous artists like Banksy.
It is being shown on BBC1 in the West tomorrow at 7:30pm.
Video caption: Watch: Carol Peace's grandfather Bill fought in the battleWatch: Carol Peace's grandfather Bill fought in the battle
On the 31st July 1917, the Battle of Passchendaele began.
It was one of the bloodiest battles in the First World War with around 325 Allied soldiers, and 260,000 German soldiers, dying.
Poor weather made the battleground so muddy that some soldiers and horses drowned in the water.
The battle saw British forces gain just five miles of land.
Carol Pearce's grandfather - who emigrated from Avonmouth to Canada - was one of those who fought in that famous battle.
Vulnerable mother left 'traumatised'
BBCCopyright: BBC
A vulnerable mother, whose baby was removed from her unlawfully last month, has said she was traumatised and distressed by it.
She told the BBC the whole incident had been "incredibly traumatic and distressing" and that she hoped no other family has to suffer in the way she and her child has.
The child, who can't be named for legal reasons, was taken into foster care in Gloucestershire while on a supervised visit with its father.
A judge ruled the parents should have been given 14 days notice, and "serious errors" were made by Gloucestershire County Council.
The council has apologised unreservedly and says it has now updated its policies.
BBC Points West: The headlines
BBCCopyright: BBC
BBC Points West's 6.30pm programme is now live.
Here's its three top stories:
An attempt to rescue Avon Fire Brigade from it's own internal problems has ended in stalemate today
A motorist has been jailed after driving off with another man on the bonnet of his car
It has emerged that a fortnight before a highly critical report into children's services in Gloucestershire was published, the department unlawfully took a child away from its mother
A baby was removed from its vulnerable mother unlawfully, a judge has ruled.
The child, who can't be named for legal reasons, was taken into foster care in Gloucestershire last month while on a supervised visit with its father.
The parents should have been given 14 days notice and "serious errors" were made by the local authority, a family court ruled.
Gloucestershire County Council has apologised and said it had now updated its policies.
Transgender former RAF pilot praises Trump response
MODCopyright: MOD
A transgender woman who flew search and rescue helicopters in the RAF has praised the British military response to Donald Trump's proposed ban on transgender soldiers in the US.
Anya Holdom, 36, was born in Somerset and said her colleagues supported her when she began the transition in 2010.
Rear Admiral Alex Burton was one of those who criticised Donald Trump on Twitter.
Quote Message: I've heard senior leadership talking before proudly about diversity and the need for diversity. I have heard that before, so I knew already that we had their support. But to do so publicly and in such quick defence like they did yesterday was actually very special. It would have been easy for them to say 'well you know that we support you' and leave it at that. from Ayla Holdom Former RAF pilot
I've heard senior leadership talking before proudly about diversity and the need for diversity. I have heard that before, so I knew already that we had their support. But to do so publicly and in such quick defence like they did yesterday was actually very special. It would have been easy for them to say 'well you know that we support you' and leave it at that.
Upfest preparations begin
Bristol's North Street will be transformed this weekend as graffiti artists and crowds visit for this year's Upfest.
Here's a work in progress shot from the Tobacco Factory on North Street. We can't wait to see what it will become!
PlasterCopyright: Plaster
The annual event celebrates graffiti art with artists from around the world using various large buildings as their respective canvases.
Man shown clinging to car bonnet in dashcam footage
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Video caption: Watch: Dashcam footage courtesy of Gloucestershire PoliceWatch: Dashcam footage courtesy of Gloucestershire Police
A motorist has been jailed after he was filmed driving off with another man clinging to the bonnet of his car.
Michael Seale, 29, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was banned from driving for 18 months, after the incident involving another driver, Radomir Seredynski, in Barton Street, Gloucester.
Mick Cash, the general secretary of the RMT, said another strike had been called because Arriva Traincare "did not table any improvements to their original pay offer".
The firm has a base at Bristol's Barton Hill railway depot.
Quote Message: In order to force the company to start treating our members with the respect and dignity they deserve, we have decided to call further industrial action. from Mick Cash RMT General Secretary
In order to force the company to start treating our members with the respect and dignity they deserve, we have decided to call further industrial action.
50,000-year-old animal bones found in cave
Video content
Video caption: Watch: A university team is excavating the siteWatch: A university team is excavating the site
Thousands of years ago, bears, hyena and reindeer roamed through Somerset.
Thankfully today's wildlife isn't as wild.
Evidence of those historical animals is being uncovered at a dig in a cave at Ebbor Gorge, near Wells.
The team of archaeologists, paleontologists and geologists is hoping to use the preserved animal bones to help understand how our climate changed and why some animals survived while others died out.
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Video caption: Watch: Ian Fergusson says it should be mostly dry tomorrow morningWatch: Ian Fergusson says it should be mostly dry tomorrow morning - How Avon Fire and Rescue is re-organising following a critical government report
- The 35th WOMAD festival opening
- One little girl raising money for the Grenfell Tower fire victims
Video caption: Watch: BBC Points West's Will Glennon reported from the festivalWatch: BBC Points West's Will Glennon reported from the festival Video caption: Watch: The project works by creating 3D images of facesWatch: The project works by creating 3D images of faces View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images View more on twitterView more on twitter Video caption: Watch: See the wheelchair being usedWatch: See the wheelchair being used Video caption: Watch: Sue Mountstevens, police and crime commisioner, says she has been asked to join the leadershipWatch: Sue Mountstevens, police and crime commisioner, says she has been asked to join the leadership Video caption: Watch: South West Trains honour guard with train named after himWatch: South West Trains honour guard with train named after him View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter Video caption: Watch: Carol Peace's grandfather Bill fought in the battleWatch: Carol Peace's grandfather Bill fought in the battle 
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BBCCopyright: BBC -
An attempt to rescue Avon Fire Brigade from it's own internal problems has ended in stalemate today
-
A motorist has been jailed after driving off with another man on the bonnet of his car
-
It has emerged that a fortnight before a highly critical report into children's services in Gloucestershire was published, the department unlawfully took a child away from its mother
BBCCopyright: BBC 
MODCopyright: MOD View more on twitterView more on twitter 
PlasterCopyright: Plaster Video caption: Watch: Dashcam footage courtesy of Gloucestershire PoliceWatch: Dashcam footage courtesy of Gloucestershire Police 
Gloucestershire ConstabularyCopyright: Gloucestershire Constabulary 
BBCCopyright: BBC Video caption: Watch: A university team is excavating the siteWatch: A university team is excavating the site
Latest PostGoodnight from us
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Thanks for being with us today - stories have included:
We'll be back online from 7am tomorrow with more live news, sport, weather and travel updates for the West of England.
Womad music and arts festival kicks off
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Thousands of music and dance fans are heading to Wiltshire as this year's Womad festival kicks off.
Womad is short for World of Music, Arts and Dance.
It's Wiltshire's biggest music festival and is now 35 years old.
Tech could lead to ticketless rail travel
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Technology being developed in Bristol could mean an end to crowded ticket barriers in stations.
Cameras create a 3D image of someone's face which is then matched to a database.
The technology will be tested for the first time on the London Underground later this year.
Can you work out where our police helicopter has been?
Graffiti film screening ends with Q&A
The premier of a documentary about the Bristol graffiti scene has ended with a Q&A with producers and those who appear in the programme.
The panel discussed the legality of the murals and how to encourage artists without it venturing into the criminal realm.
Arriva Traincare 'disappointed' over strike action
Arriva Traincare has reacted with disappointment over plans for further strike action.
The firm, which has a base at Bristol's Barton Hill railway depot, said it would put "robust contingency plans" in place to deal with the impact of the strike, set to take place on the 18th August.
Machines moving in to destroy viaduct
The Stapleton Road viaduct in Bristol is being demolished this weekend with a new structure being erected in its place.
For more information on the works, visit the Network Rail website by clickiing here.
Dancing wheelchair helping students with movement
Video content
Technology is used for all sorts of things these days - but how about helping disabled adults to dance.
Students at the National Star College, near Cheltenham, have been working with Remap Gloucestershire, a charity which helps disabled people live more independent lives.
The result is possibly the UK's first dancing wheelchair.
Call for clarity over future leadership of criticised fire authority
Video content
There has been a call for clarity over the future leadership of Avon Fire and Rescue Service after a government report which heavily criticised the organisation.
Earlier today more than 60 recommendations were debated and passed by those at an authority meeting to improve the running of the service.
One recommendation was rejected - to explore whether governance should be handed to Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner.
However, yesterday Sue Mountstevens and the leaders of four local councils said they intended to form a new and reduced size authority.
Guard honoured with train namesake
Video content
A train has been named in honour of a South West Trains guard who died just before Christmas.
It's believed to be the first time a train has been named after a guard after colleagues wanted to pay tribute to Dave Gunson, from Tidworth in Wiltshire.
Mr Gunson, a father of three and grandfather of nine, died aged 65 after being hit by a car as her cycled to work.
The train was unveiled at a ceremony in Woking, attended by Mr Gunson's wife of 35 years, Chrystine, who said Mr Gunson had never held a driving licence and cycled everywhere.
Graffiti documentary given special screening
A special BBC1 documentary had its premiere at Bristol's Arnolfini tonight.
Vandals and Visionaries explores Bristol's graffiti arts scene, which gave birth to world-famous artists like Banksy.
It is being shown on BBC1 in the West tomorrow at 7:30pm.
BBC Radio Bristol are tweeting from the premiere:
Battle of Passchendaele remembered
Video content
On the 31st July 1917, the Battle of Passchendaele began.
It was one of the bloodiest battles in the First World War with around 325 Allied soldiers, and 260,000 German soldiers, dying.
Poor weather made the battleground so muddy that some soldiers and horses drowned in the water.
The battle saw British forces gain just five miles of land.
Carol Pearce's grandfather - who emigrated from Avonmouth to Canada - was one of those who fought in that famous battle.
Vulnerable mother left 'traumatised'
A vulnerable mother, whose baby was removed from her unlawfully last month, has said she was traumatised and distressed by it.
She told the BBC the whole incident had been "incredibly traumatic and distressing" and that she hoped no other family has to suffer in the way she and her child has.
The child, who can't be named for legal reasons, was taken into foster care in Gloucestershire while on a supervised visit with its father.
A judge ruled the parents should have been given 14 days notice, and "serious errors" were made by Gloucestershire County Council.
The council has apologised unreservedly and says it has now updated its policies.
BBC Points West: The headlines
BBC Points West's 6.30pm programme is now live.
Here's its three top stories:
Watch the programme live on the BBC iPlayer, or afterwards by clicking here.
Baby removed from mother 'unlawfully'
A baby was removed from its vulnerable mother unlawfully, a judge has ruled.
The child, who can't be named for legal reasons, was taken into foster care in Gloucestershire last month while on a supervised visit with its father.
The parents should have been given 14 days notice and "serious errors" were made by the local authority, a family court ruled.
Gloucestershire County Council has apologised and said it had now updated its policies.
Transgender former RAF pilot praises Trump response
A transgender woman who flew search and rescue helicopters in the RAF has praised the British military response to Donald Trump's proposed ban on transgender soldiers in the US.
Anya Holdom, 36, was born in Somerset and said her colleagues supported her when she began the transition in 2010.
Rear Admiral Alex Burton was one of those who criticised Donald Trump on Twitter.
Upfest preparations begin
Bristol's North Street will be transformed this weekend as graffiti artists and crowds visit for this year's Upfest.
Here's a work in progress shot from the Tobacco Factory on North Street. We can't wait to see what it will become!
The annual event celebrates graffiti art with artists from around the world using various large buildings as their respective canvases.
Click here to visit the Upfest website.
Man shown clinging to car bonnet in dashcam footage
Video content
A motorist has been jailed after he was filmed driving off with another man clinging to the bonnet of his car.
Michael Seale, 29, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was banned from driving for 18 months, after the incident involving another driver, Radomir Seredynski, in Barton Street, Gloucester.
The court heard Mr Sarodynski was driven 160m along the street on the bonnet before Seale (pictured) finally stopped and let him jump off.
Mr Sarodynski had been trying to exchange insurance details with Seale.
Rail maintenance workers to stage another strike
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union at Arriva Traincare are set to go on strike from the 18th August for 24 hours.
It comes as part of a continuing dispute over pay and conditions.
Mick Cash, the general secretary of the RMT, said another strike had been called because Arriva Traincare "did not table any improvements to their original pay offer".
The firm has a base at Bristol's Barton Hill railway depot.
50,000-year-old animal bones found in cave
Video content
Thousands of years ago, bears, hyena and reindeer roamed through Somerset.
Thankfully today's wildlife isn't as wild.
Evidence of those historical animals is being uncovered at a dig in a cave at Ebbor Gorge, near Wells.
The team of archaeologists, paleontologists and geologists is hoping to use the preserved animal bones to help understand how our climate changed and why some animals survived while others died out.