Students from St George's Academy in Ruskington, Lincolnshire, have built electric cars to compete in the Greenpower Challenge International Finals at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in Sussex. The 14-student team, supported by sponsors like Ford and Siemens, will race two vehicles in the F24 category against more than 100 school teams from across Europe.
Summary headline: St George's Academy students race electric cars built for international STEM competition
The co-owners of Escobar bar and restaurant in Nottingham have expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support they received from the local community and fellow independent businesses after a major fire severely damaged the Grade II listed building. Around 60 firefighters responded to the blaze on Market Street, which started in the roof on 5 October. Two boys, aged 12 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of arson. The owners have launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover operational costs while navigating the insurance process, and are currently taking the recovery process day by day.
Summary headline: Bar owners amazed by community support following major fire in Nottingham
A Jersey-based charity, James' Ark, which supports mothers, fathers, and children navigating separation, reports that demand for its services is increasing significantly, leaving the organisation stretched thin. Founded by James Cunningham after his own separation, the charity provides guidance, emotional support, and practical help, and also works within Jersey Prison to support inmates with parenting programmes and child contact.
Summary headline: Jersey charity James' Ark reports rising demand for support among separated families
Families across the north-west of England are going to extreme lengths to create elaborate Halloween displays to raise money for charity. Louise and Vinny Towler from St Helens spent a month transforming a £400 Vauxhall Astra Estate into an Ectomobile alongside a 10ft Marshmallow Man and floating Slimer. Other households, including Emma Woodall in Wigan and the Payne family in Blackpool, are also putting on major seasonal displays to raise funds for local charities and children's hospices.
Summary headline: St Helens couple spend £400 turning Vauxhall Astra into Ghostbusters car for Halloween
Trading Standards officers have seized more than 1,000 suspected counterfeit toys, including sensory and plush toys, with an estimated value of £10,000 from stalls at Hull Fair on Walton Street. The operation followed public concerns and reports. Officers warned that the items lacked UK safety testing, featured poor construction, and could pose serious safety risks, including exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Claire Throssell has spent 12 years campaigning to change the law surrounding the presumption of parental involvement after her estranged husband, Darren Sykes, killed their two sons, Jack and Paul, in a house fire in October 2014. Despite warnings about his abusive behavior and the children's fear of him, the family court had allowed unsupervised access visits. Following a dedicated campaign, the Courts and Tribunals Bill has successfully passed its final stages in the House of Commons, removing the automatic presumption of parental contact to help protect children from known abusers.
Summary headline: Claire Throssell campaigns for 12 years to change family court law after sons' deaths
A weekly round-up of local news stories from the West of England covers several key events, including an inspection report on the collapse of Pero's Bridge in Bristol due to severe corrosion and lack of maintenance. Other major stories feature animal cruelty cases in Gloucestershire and near Bristol, discussions over unsafe electric vehicle charging cables in Swindon, and a new walking and cycling route planned in Somerset.
Summary headline: West of England weekly news roundup featuring bridge collapse findings and animal cruelty cases
Jersey politician Deputy Louise Doublet has criticised the government's decision to end a trial of free fruit in primary schools, arguing that cost-of-living pressures were not adequately considered. While the education minister ended the scheme due to food wastage and low consumption levels, Deputy Doublet advocates for greater investment in healthy, locally grown food to support families.
Summary headline: Jersey deputy calls for increased food funding amid rising cost of living
Independent breweries across the UK face growing uncertainty, rising costs, and market pressure from global conglomerates. To secure their future, protect their local identity, and avoid being acquired or closed down, some breweries like Rebellion Brewery in Marlow and Abbeydale Brewery in Sheffield have transitioned to employee ownership trusts. This model allows profits to be reinvested into the business, provides staff with tax-free bonuses, and gives employees a greater stake and say in the company's success.
The family of Vijay Singh, a 13-year-old Manchester schoolboy who died following severe racist bullying, have marked the 30th anniversary of his death. His sister, Preet Kaur, spoke out against racism and bullying, sharing how Vijay had hidden the abuse from his family before taking his own life on 12 October 1996. Stretford High School, where Vijay was a pupil, has since implemented strong anti-bullying policies and maintains a memorial plaque in his honour.
Summary headline: Family of Vijay Singh mark 30 years since racially bullied Manchester teenager died
Andrew Teverson, a 41-year-old businessman from Halesowen, has transformed a 1948 Citroen 2CV into a mobile DJ booth called the 'Snail Stage'. After purchasing the vehicle for £100 to save it from the scrapyard, he and his events company built a stage into the back where DJs can perform. The car remains fully driveable and has been used for events at university student unions and shopping centres.
Summary headline: Businessman converts classic Citroen 2CV into a functional DJ booth
The growing popularity of pumpkin-picking during Halloween has become a vital source of income for many farms, helping businesses diversify and boost their takings. Farms like Over Farm in Gloucester report that a third of their annual turnover is generated during the Halloween period, driven by social media trends, family traditions, and a desire for direct-from-farm produce.
Summary headline: How pumpkin-picking is helping to boost profits and save farms
Film poster artist Paul Shipper, whose career began by sharing fan art online, has worked on major Hollywood franchises including Marvel, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars. Based in Stourport, Worcestershire, Shipper is known for his classic 1970s and 80s illustration style. He is currently collaborating with AMPjam founder Gareth Griffiths on 'We've Been Framed', a charity exhibition in Birmingham featuring original artworks by over 60 international artists fitted into vintage and repurposed frames, with all auction proceeds supporting Edward's Trust.
Summary headline: From fan art to Star Wars: How Paul Shipper became a Hollywood poster artist
Stained glass artist Nathalie Hildegarde Liege has launched a crowdfunding campaign to create a dedicated library and study room at her studio in Wem, Shropshire, aiming to inspire future generations and help preserve an endangered craft.
Summary headline: Shropshire stained glass artist launches appeal to preserve endangered craft
A new musical titled Salt the Musical, featuring comic singing alpacas, is set to debut in a concert performance at Victoria Hall in Saltaire. Written by Maria Mullin and directed by Anita Adams, the show tells the story of 19th-Century industrialist Sir Titus Salt, who built the model village of Saltaire for his textile mill workers and helped introduce alpaca wool to the UK.
Summary headline: Titus Salt musical featuring singing alpacas to debut in Saltaire
Thames Water has announced that its hosepipe ban, affecting over 10 million customers across London and the Thames Valley, will remain in place throughout the autumn. Despite recent cooler weather, reservoirs remain well below normal levels following a record-breaking summer and exceptionally dry conditions. The company urges customers to continue conserving water until substantial rainfall replenishes depleted supplies.
Summary headline: Thames Water hosepipe ban to continue through autumn due to ongoing drought
Janine Fossey, an 80-year-old runner from Jersey, completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on 11 October to raise funds for Sepsis Research FEAT. She was inspired by Lily McGarry, a medical student and family friend who became a quadruple amputee after developing sepsis from meningitis B. Despite experiencing thigh pain during the race, Fossey persevered by thinking of McGarry's resilience, ultimately finishing third in her age category and expressing eagerness for future races.
Summary headline: 80-year-old Jersey runner completes London half marathon for sepsis charity
Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are consulting residents, workers, and visitors to help shape transport and public space improvements in an eastern section of Leeds city centre. The consultation covers roads such as St. Peter's Street and York Street, aiming to address issues including congestion, road safety, a lack of green spaces, and incomplete cycling networks. An online survey is open until 17 November, alongside in-person events, to inform plans for a potential funding bid.
Summary headline: Leeds City Council seeks public views on transport and public space improvements in eastern city centre
A Shropshire-based police officer, referred to as Officer A, has been dismissed without notice for gross misconduct following a four-day hearing. The panel found that he bullied a student he was tutoring, swore at them, and lied about serving in Afghanistan to influence an inspector.
Summary headline: West Mercia Police officer sacked for bullying student and lying about Afghanistan service
Liverpool Cathedral is celebrating the centenary of its Grand Organ with an exhibition and recital, welcoming back the grandson of its original organist, Harry Goss-Custard. The events mark 100 years of the UK's largest pipe organ and celebrate the instrument's history, alongside recognizing the service of current organist Prof Ian Tracey.
Summary headline: Liverpool Cathedral organ centenary brings family story home
