Dan Aldridge MP has announced the return of the Weston Summer School, bringing together students from across Weston-super-Mare for two days of inspiration, skills-building and career opportunities. Following the success of last year's inaugural event at the Grand Pier, the Summer School will once again connect young people with leading figures from business, technology, the creative industries, public service and entrepreneurship. The initiative was created by Dan Aldridge af

A move to bring North Somerset into the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has taken a significant step forward after receiving support from both councillors and local residents. The decision follows a public consultation in which 56.7 per cent of respondents backed the proposal, opening the door for stronger regional cooperation on key issues including transport, housing, skills development, and investment. West of England Mayor Helen Godwin (Centre) with WECA council

Ahead of a Full Council meeting of North Somerset Council, Liberal Democrat councillor; Cllr Jemma Coles has hit out at criticism of her scrutiny of the proposed Live Nation lease of the Tropicana. North Somerset councillors will meet on Tuesday 12 May and vote on recommendations that could see world-class event organiser Live Nation sign a lease to run the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare for the next 25 years. In a statement issued by Cllr Jemma Coles, the Liberal Democrat co

Great Western Railways (GWR) will be brought into public ownership this year, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced yesterday. The Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, has confirmed GWR’s contract with DfT will end on 13 December. The West of England's Mayor has welcomed the news. Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “I’m sure everyone in the West who – like me – catches the train will welcome this news. “We need a transport network which wor

Weston-super-Mare’s MP, Dan Aldridge, is to host a summer school once again this year after last years success. Last year more than 40 young people from Weston-super-Mare and surrounding areas attended a two-day summer school hosted on The Grand Pier which gave young people the opportunity to learn from leaders in tech, media, and business. The Summer School last year (Photo: Supplied) Dan Aldridge MP said; “I’m really excited to be having my Second Summer School in Weston-su

Yesterday (Monday 27th April) Weston Town Council held its Annual General Meeting in the wonderful setting of the revamped Blakekay Theatre auditorium. Attendees were treated to a detailed update of the councils activities over the last year with the meeting also showcasing three local community groups that are supported by Weston Town Council. The event started with opening remarks from the outgoing Mayor Cllr Martin Williams, followed by addresses from Cllr Ciaran Cronnelly

Families across Weston-super-Mare are set to benefit from new free breakfast clubs, launching as children return to school after the Easter break. Four local schools are now taking part in the Government’s Best Start programme: • Oldmixon Primary School • Windwhistle Primary School • Westhaven School • Bournville Primary School The rollout will provide children with a healthy start to the day alongside 30 minutes of free childcare each morning, giving parents valuable extra t

An eight-week consultation on whether North Somerset Council should join the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has found that people and businesses across the West back the proposal. The results show 56.7% of those who responded are in favour of the expansion, with 37.6% opposed, and 5.7% not sure. Detailed analysis of the 1,273 responses received will take place over the coming weeks before being published. The consultation , which closed on Monday (13 April), follo

Weston College has secured significant new investment to deliver advanced manufacturing training, marking a major win for Weston-super-Mare and the wider region’s skills and jobs pipeline. The funding - linked to the UK’s world-leading aerospace sector, including Airbus- will support high-quality technical education and help young people access well-paid, skilled careers in advanced manufacturing. The successful bid was delivered through close collaboration between college le

Dan Aldridge, Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare, has backed new Government action to tackle knife crime as part of a wider plan to halve offences and make communities safer. With knife crime already down by 8% nationally, and knife-related homicides and hospital admissions for assaults involving a sharp object at their lowest level in a decade, the Government has announced further measures to drive down violence. The plans include targeted support for schools in high

Weston-super-Mare’s MP, Dan Aldridge, has secured a further £19 million in Growth Mission funding to complete the restoration of the town’s iconic Birnbeck Pier, following months of lobbying Government to close a critical funding gap. With the first phases of restoration already progressing at pace – including essential repairs to the island sea wall and stabilisationworks on the boathouse, clock tower pavilion and landside cliff face, completed in 2024 – a significant shortf

Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare, has welcomed the publication of the Government’s new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) White Paper, saying it reflects many of the concerns raised directly by local families at a SEND roundtable he hosted in September. Last autumn, Dan Aldridge MP brought together parents, carers, teachers and local advocates in Weston to hear first-hand about the challenges families face navigating the current SEND system. “ Parents tol

by Paul Howe National politics can be frustrating. Headlines are dominated by disputes, policy U-turns and criticism of government decisions. That noise will always exist. But here in Weston-super-Mare, there is a more grounded and practical question: What is our MP doing for us — locally? Since being elected in 2024, Daniel Aldridge has shown that when he sets his sights on something for Weston, he pursues it. Not with slogans, but with action. A clear example of that determ

Most Reform members believe non-white UK citizens born abroad should be forced or encouraged to leave a poll finds. The bombshell new poll has laid bare the hardline views held by many members of Reform UK — and the findings could spark fresh debate in communities like Weston-super-Mare. Research by Survation for the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate found that 54% of Reform members think non-white British citizens born abroad should be deported or encouraged to leave the UK. E

Rail commuters across the West will benefit from the national freeze for train fares coming into effect from today. For the first time in 30 years, regulated rail fares across England have been frozen – meaning passengers won’t pay a penny more. Without the freeze, regulated rail fares would have increased by 5.8% today and added to the 60% rise experienced nationwide since 2010. With transport costs making up 14% of household spending, this cost-cutting move will provide

North Somerset Council have confirmed Worle Library is to close amongst a range of other changes to library services across North Somerset. North Somerset Council has agreed, as of yesterday (24 February) evening, to implement a number of changes to its local library services following Full Council’s approval of the recommendations considered by Cabinet earlier this month. A spokesperson for North Somerset Council said; “The decision marks the end of a comprehensive review

Up to £500,000 of funding is available this year to support Armed Forces Day celebrations across the United Kingdom, and Weston-super-Mare’s MP, Dan Aldridge, is encouraging local organisations to apply. Every year, local authorities, schools, sports clubs, charities and community organisations bring people together to honour serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families. Weston groups have the opportunity to bid for up to £10,000 to host their own Armed Force

A group of five defectors, at least 3 of which are related, including the former Weston Reform UK chair Oliver Louis Roger-Hargreaves (aka Oliver Louis, aka Oliver Hargreaves, aka Oliver Roger-Hargreaves) have announced the launch of a new political party. The new party, to be called “Weston-super-Mare First” was described by the group as “ A local party giving Westonians a strong voice in local politics ”. The launch of a new party was announced this afternoon by the group o

Dan Aldridge MP has welcomed the publication of the Government’s landmark Water White Paper, describing it as the biggest overhaul of the water system in a generation and a major step forward for Weston-super-Mare’s coastline and waterways. The reforms will create a stronger single regulator with tougher powers to hold water companies to account. For the first time in two decades, a Chief Engineer will sit inside the regulator to provide hands-on technical oversight, ending w

Oliver Louis Roger-Hargreaves, who was the chairman of the Weston Reform UK branch has tonight defected to the newly formed Restore Britain Party that was recently launched by Rupert Lowe. Rupert Lowe himself was suspended from Reform UK after accusations of bullying and verbal threats. A statement issued by Oliver Louis Roger-Hargreaves tonight on X said; “I am hereby standing down as Reform UK Weston-super-Mare Chairman and North Somerset Regional Coordinator with immediate