Friday, July 3rd, 2026
Warleigh Weir Rail Warning | Farleigh Hungerford River Illnesses | Rat Leaflet Mocks Council | Omaze Bath House Details
☠️ The owner of the land that Warleigh Weir sits on has said it’s only a question of when that a rail death occurs as visitors ignore safety issues, reports the BBC.
🤒 A number of children have fallen ill after swimming in the River Frome at Farleigh Hungerford, a popular camping site, reports the BBC, after the heavy rain and legally sanctioned sewage overflows of last week.
🚫 Defra’s Swimfo website shows tests conducted six days ago rated water quality at Farleigh Hungerford as ‘poor’.
💩 If you haven’t already, watch Channel 4’s drama, Dirty Business, or listen to the BBC podcast, Rinsed to hear the full story of how Britain’s water quality was sold out, leading to a death and life changing illnesses.
🗳️ You can also read about the campaign group Top of the Poops’ petition for a referendum on bringing the water industry back into public ownership.
💧 Meanwhile, Wessex Water’s website below shows all existing storm overflow locations (white circles). If there has been a discharge in the past 24 hours, the icons are diamond shaped - light green if happening now.
🐟 And you can support local campaign group, We Are Avon:
🚨 The CPS is considering charges against MP Dan Norris, former WECA Mayor, over allegations of rape, reports the BBC.
🏫 Bath’s only social housing tower block, Berkeley House in Snow Hill, has been partially closed by police due to rough sleeping and defecation in common areas, reports the BBC.
🩻 Somerset Confidential reports on the Council’s role over the debacle at the RUH plans to slash the pension contributions of its “bank staff” by moving them to a new private equity owned company. (Subscribers only).
🏛️ The Council has blocked a £200k proposal to make the vaults under the Empire Hotel safe, reports the Bath Echo.
🧑🏻🌾 The Council has formally confirmed it is in talks to re-open Combe Down Allotments, reports the Bath Echo, after plot holders were forced to vacate when the privately-owned site’s lease ended.
🦟 The South West has the highest risk for tick bites and Lyme disease, reports the BBC.
↪️ Read more about why Lyme disease is so serious here.
↪️ And why it’s spreading globally in this piece by the New Scientist.
🐀 Residents in Norfolk Crescent in central Bath are mocking the Council with a ‘Rat Appreciation Society’ leaflet to highlight an infestation, reports the Bath Echo.
Weather
😊 Finally, not a heatwave or a cold snap… this week’s forecast is just… summer!
🧊 Watch this BBC story on the research lab in Somerset where they test fridges in heatwaves.
👒 Sunlit Uplands - the actual art - not Jacob Rees Mogg’s shorthand tall tales for the benefits of Brexit - is coming to the Holburne Museum.
📆 the nearfield magazine - which is independent and LOCAL - does a GREAT round-up of comedy, arts, cultural events, talks, music and festivals. Check out their listings here.
🎟️ Visit Bath also has extensive listings for events this month in Bath, including Bath Boules and the Garden Theatre Fest.
🐷 Bath City Farmfest
📅 Saturday, July 4th ⏰ From 1 p.m.
🎪 Music, food, craft, games - more info here
🍺 Packhorse Pub Keg Race
📅 Saturday, July 11th ⏰ 1 p.m.
🐴 A race to pick up a keg for the pub with teams, fancy dress and 400 years of tradition! Read all about in the Bath Echo.
City & Region
🌊 Most areas along the Bristol Channel would disappear under rising seas, according to a new interactive climate change map reported on by the BBC.
🔥 Police are investigating after a fire destroyed an historic warehouse in Frome, reports the BBC.
⛔️ Local journalist Richard Wyatt wonders whether there may be movement on development of the old King Edward’s school building on Broad Street on his Newseum blog.
💷 The Council has struck an agreement with striking care managers, but a separate dispute involving more than 200 social workers remains unresolved, writes Local Democracy Reporter, John Wimperis, in the Bath Echo.
👠 A Bath-based travel firm specialising in stag and hen do’s has fallen into administration, reports the Bath Echo.
🧠 A retired Bath TV presenter has become the 1,000th volunteer for a landmark dementia study, reports the Bath Echo.
Crime
🚨 Two men have been ordered to pay £1k to the man they attached in Bath city centre, reports the Bath Echo.
Sweet stuff 🍯
🚀 Meet the Somerset farmer who tends cows by day, and impersonates Elton John by night, courtesy of the BBC.
🎾 A Team Bath tennis player is playing at Wimbledon, reports the Bath Echo.
🎙️ A GCSE student fond of Latin created an audio guide in the language for the Roman Baths and convinced Sir Stephen Fry to voice it, reports the Bath & Wiltshire Parent.
🧙🏻♂️ A Somerset Nan’s gnome collection, left to her grand-daughter who decided to give them away, have been featuring in pranks across her hometown, reports the BBC.
Omaze Bath House Draw, 10th July
🧻 In January 2025, a Reading pub manager was on the loo when he won the Omaze grand prize in Bath - the former estate of the inventor of the first flushing toilet! Hopefully this time, the winner will be less disposed when the call comes.
🤑 Where is the current Omaze house? Reddit is all over this one with the original Rightmove listing shared, address and all; discussion of the quality of neighbourhood, parking, crazy list price… and of course, what folks would do if they actually won it! If it’s me, you’re all invited to the house warming! 🎉 (Good luck peeps!)
🎩 Top posts from last week’s Bee:
💥 A mysterious underground explosion in central Bath closed roads and caused a sinkhole.
🥢 Actor Kiefer Sutherland named his favourite Bath restaurant.
🚨 Police launched an appeal after a Bath girl was sexually assaulted.