Headlines: M5 e-scooter incident and supermoon

The silhouette of a plane crossing the moon.Image source, BBC Weather Watcher/Woodys Elf
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A plane crossing in front of the supermoon over Gloucestershire

  • Published

It has been quite the week for fans of astronomy, with sights of a supermoon lighting up the night sky across the world.

On Tuesday, the moon appeared brighter and bigger than usual, as it was at its closest point to Earth in its orbit.

A partial lunar eclipse could also be seen in the early hours in some areas.

Harry Mockridge from The Weston Mercury featured some shots, external taken in Somerset.

Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard also shared a round-up of some of the best pictures, external from around the globe. These are too amazing to not share.

Image source, Google Maps
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The rider was spotted near to Junction 18 for Lawrence Weston

Drivers were left shocked this week after spotting a man riding along the M5 on an e-scooter.

The incident happened close to Junction 18 for Lawrence Weston on Monday.

One motorist said: "This is getting out of hand quite a few e-scooters been stop(ped) on motorways in last eight months."

Shannon Brown from Somerset Live shared a story about the incident, external.

Image source, Ben Birchall/PA Media
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A dragon dance was held at Stonehenge

Celebrations were held at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, to mark the the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival on Sunday.

It is one of the most cherished traditional events in Chinese culture, held to symbolise family reunions, gratitude, and appreciation of the full moon.

The festival featured a variety of performances, including a dragon and lion dance parade.

Charles Elliman from the Salisbury Journal rounded up the festivities, external.

Image source, Getty Images
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Gloucester was recognised as a Heritage Harbour this week

Over the border, celebrations were also held in Gloucester to commemorate the city's new title of a Heritage Harbour.

It joins a network of 12 other locations, which is supported by National Historic Ships UK, Historic England and the Maritime Heritage Trust.

A cannon was fired to mark the milestone and Alan Myatt, the Town Crier made the official announcement.

Phil Norris from Gloucestershire Live wrote about the exciting moment, external.

Image source, Getty Images
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Bristol City Council is owed £229m in unpaid debt

In other news, Adam Postans from the Local Democracy Reporting Service wrote about Bristol City Council being owed £229m, external in unpaid debt earlier this week.

The figure is made up of unpaid council tax, rent arrears and clean air zone charges.

Other reasons cited in the report to the council's strategy and resources policy committee included cost of living pressures and payment delays caused by court backlogs and additional reminder notices.

Following on from Adam's initial article, Claire Elliott gathered reaction from readers, external of Bristol Live.

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Leonardo Helicopters' parent company has invested £435m into the business

Sir Keir Starmer spent time meeting the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, this week.

During the trip, Starmer announced that the Italian parent company of Leonardo Helicopters has invested £435m into the business.

The money is being shared around the company's UK sites, including one in Yeovil.

Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton said it is a "brilliant investment" for the area.

Lewis Clarke from Somerset Live wrote all about the "major leap forward", external and shared photos from the unveiling of a new £30m hub at the Yeovil site.

Image source, Chris Turner
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Nobody was hurt in the incident on Wednesday night

Elsewhere in Somerset, police were called to Lower Bristol Road in Twerton, near Bath, on Wednesday evening after a double-decker bus crashed into a low railway bridge.

Nobody was injured in the crash and a structural engineer was called to assess the damage to the bridge.

The road was closed to traffic and trains were stopped from crossing the bridge while investigation work was carried out, but things were up and running again a few hours later.

The team from Bath Echo covered the incident, external and gathered pictures at the scene.

Image source, Tom Anders/Longleat
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Longleat Safari Park welcomed Dot and Other earlier this year

To end on a happy note - keepers at Longleat Safari Park in Warminster released new photos of their fennec fox kits to mark National Fox Day on September 17.

The park welcomed twins named Dot and Other in April, but keepers had to hand-rear the pair after their mum struggled to take care of them herself.

Five months on, the kits are "doing well" and are gradually being reintroduced to their parents.

Sarah Dalton from Wiltshire Times covered the adorable moment, external.

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