Friday, May 29th, 2026
Fresh Council Strikes Planned | Swan + Cygnet Deaths in Lock | Romance Fraud Cost £2.2m in Somerset
🪧 Some 200 council social workers could go on strike in a fresh dispute, writes Local Democracy Reporter John Wimperis in the Bath Echo.
⛑️ The council may appeal to the government over a plan by the RUH to privatise its flexible workers, writes John in the Bath Echo.
⚓️ Houseboats opposite Parade Gardens have been ordered to leave or face legal action, writes John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter, via the Bath Voice.
👮🏼♂️ Police have escalated action against anti-social behaviour at Snow Hill, reports the Bath Echo.
🔍 The former Mayor of Bath who re-posted antisemitic conspiracies on social media in March is facing a fresh investigation, reports BBC News.
🎙️Local radio presenter Emma Britten has died of cancer, reports the BBC.
🦢 A swan known as Jeffrey, crushed by a hire boat while trapped in a Bath lock, has spurred a local charity to raise awareness among boaters, reports the BBC.
📱More than 200 people in Somerset were the victims of romance fraud last year, suffering financial losses totalling £2.25million - an increase in this type of crime, say Avon & Somerset Police.
⚽️ Fans have raised more than £16,000 to help a Bath City FC player deal with career changing injuries, reports the BBC.
Weather
🥵 Ok, maybe I prayed a litte TOO hard for sun! Mercy! This weekend’s forecast brings fresher weather.
🎭 Bath Fringe Festival
📆 Fri 22 May - Sun 7 June
🔴 Bath Colourscape, a live music installation - is on for a few more days! The Bath & Wiltshire Parent has a review with tips and photos.
📅 23–31 May
📍 Bath Recreation Ground
🎟 Tickets £15/adult. Book here.
🏳️🌈 The month-long Queer Bath Festival starts on Monday!
📆 Event listings and information here.
⛺️ Bath Refugee Week
📅 13-20 June - it’s grown to 10 events over multiple venues this year!
🎟️ Book your spot for the main festival at Fairfield House, June 20th here!
🧕🏽 We’ll profile the festival’s founder next week!
📜 The American Museum will exhibit a rare original print of the Declaration of Independence this summer, reports the Bath and Wiltshire Parent.
🚂 The Bath Magazine meanwhile has a visual preview of the moving toys exhibition at the Museum.
City & Region
🌳 A huge tree branch fell and nearly crushed a Bath woman walking her dog near Locksbrook cemetery, reports the BBC.
🏘️ In Saltford, a developer has submitted new plans to build dozens of homes after a previous application was denied, reports the Bath Echo.
🚑 This week’s heatwave sparked a record number of ambulance callouts across the west of England, reports BBC News.
🥛 Farmers ath the Bath & West Show say food security can no longer be taken for granted, reports BBC News.
🔔 A ‘decaying’ church next to Bath Abbey will undergo a renovation if proposals by the council are approved, reports the Bath Echo.
🏕️ Soaring fuel prices have led to record campsite bookings across the West Country this summer, reports BBC News.
🏏 The Purnell Cricket Club in Paulton near Bath is celebrating its 100th birthday, reports BBC News. The club was was formed by staff working at the Purnell and Sons Ltd. Printing Works, once the largest in Europe. Although the company closed in 2005, the team endures.
Crime
🚨 A 24-year-old man has appeared at Bath Magistrates’ Court charged with causing criminal damage at his ex-partner’s home, reports the Bath Echo.
⚖️ A woman arrested for possession of 50 small bags of cocaine with an estimated value of £2,000 has pleaded guilty to two charges, reports the Bath Echo.
Transport
⛔️ Roadworks across the city centre are scheduled to finish by December, reports the Bath Echo.
😥 Businesses on Chelsea Road have seen a drop of 40 to 60 percent in trade with recent traffic restrictions and roadworks, reports the Bath Echo.
Sweet stuff 🍯
💡The Anglepoise lamp - a close cousin of the animated Pixar logo - was invented here in Bath by a local motor engineer. Its spring loaded design hasn’t changed in more than century, reports the Bath Magazine.
🐴 Actor Martin Clunes has opened the heavy horse show in Shepton Mallet, reports the BBC.
🎉 Bathford’s village shop, a community co-operative, celebrated 20 years this week, reports the Bath Echo.
📽️ Check out an exhibition which includes items from old local cinemas at the Museum of Bath at Work - the BBC has details.
🎩 Top posts from last week’s Bee:
🧽 The council tackles a spray-painted graffiti ‘heritage crime,’’ but the task is not so simple.
💘 The super-sexy entry was one of many gardens aimed at younger audiences.