As part of this commitment, the College is establishing on-site food banks across its three main campuses. These will provide free, stigma-free access to food for any learner in need, responding directly to the increasing levels of hardship faced by many students.

Weston College is appealing to local businesses to consider donating non-perishable items to support their campus food banks.

To find out how your business can help, please contact: chloe.wilde@weston.ac.uk or lynsey.mckinstry@weston.ac.uk

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The College is one of just 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the UK, backed by £175 million of government investment, which will provide around 65,000 learners with access to training for high-demand roles across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, and digital technologies. This comes at a crucial time, with an estimated 600,000 additional workers needed in these sectors by 2030.

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO at Weston College Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing. It reflects the quality and scale of our provision, the strength of our employer partnerships, and our commitment to delivering the higher technical skills which industry needs. I would like to personally thank our partners, Airbus, Rolls‑Royce, GKN Aerospace, NCC, West of England Combined Authority and Business West.”

This recognition also builds on Weston College’s ambitious plans for expansion, including the £2.6 million Aerospace Skills Academy on Airbus’s Filton site, opening this September. This facility will significantly increase the College’s training capacity and give learners access to advanced manufacturing environments that directly support the needs of leading aerospace employers.

For businesses in North Somerset, this is a direct investment in the future local workforce – creating a stronger pipeline of skilled talent right here in the region.

For more information, visit the Weston College website.

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This project invites local people of all ages to explore the stories, mysteries and human histories embedded within the Hoard.  Through creative workshops, school sessions and a new intergenerational community performance, participants will uncover and reimagine lives, voices and legacies connected to the Chew Valley.

Valley Arts will deliver an ambitious seven month programme of community activity, including:

• Creative workshops for everyone across the Chew Valley
• Workshops in local primary schools, exploring heritage, storytelling and performance
• The creation of a new intergenerational community play, co-authored with local adults and young people
• Professional support from scriptwriters, directors, designers, musicians, choreographers and technicians
• Four public performances at Yeo Valley Organic Gardens
• A documentary film sharing the creative process, stories and community voices
• Material that can feed into temporary exhibitions in Bath and Taunton, including behind-the-scenes insights and digital content

There will be a Community Engagement Day in Chew Magna – Every Coin Tells a Story – all day on 20^th June across a multiple space venue.  The day will feature a lot of free-to-access general community fun and live entertainment.

There will also be a live community performance at Yeo Gardens on 18th & 19th July. 

Further information: https://www.valley-arts.co.uk/the-hoard/

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The directory will help residents, cafés, restaurants, visitor attractions, retailers and visitors discover and source local food and drink made right here in North Somerset. It builds on the success of the much-loved Made in North Somerset directory and will also support the wider visitor economy.

Deadline extended – entries close Friday 24 April

To give as many local businesses as possible the chance to be included at launch, the deadline has been extended to Friday 24 April. Entries received after this date will still be accepted but may not appear in the directory when it goes live.

Who can take part?

Independent food and drink producers, manufacturers and growers based in North Somerset, or those where the majority of sales are local products. Listings are completely free.

Why get listed?

Being included will help you:

• Raise your visibility with residents looking to buy locally
• Connect with cafés, restaurants, attractions and hospitality businesses wanting to reduce food miles
• Strengthen local supply chains and support the local economy
• Celebrate the diversity and quality of North Somerset’s food and drink offer

To be included, complete the short online form here.

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Do you remember your first job and how important that opportunity was? Your business could make that same life-changing difference for a care leaver.

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Programme is working with local employers in North Somerset to help care leavers take their first steps into employment.

We are looking for businesses who can:

• Offer work placements that can lead to paid employment
• Provide mentoring and support within the workplace
• Give care leavers the opportunity to build confidence, skills and experience

Targeted employer support measures are available to reduce recruitment barriers for employers and help facilitate the recruitment of young people — making a positive social impact in your local community.

✅ Be the employer who opens the door
✅ Help a young person build a future
✅ Strengthen your workforce and your community

To find out more, please contact:

Claire Ramsay Youth Guarantee Business Development Officer 📧 claire.ramsay@n-somerset.gov.uk

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Nell Barrington, Awards Director, said: “I know how many brilliant businesses there are across Bristol, Bath, Somerset and Gloucestershire, and I’d love to see more of you getting the recognition and reward you deserve. So many entrants have told me about the positive impact the awards have had on them, and we’re here to make it as easy as possible for you to take part.”

The awards celebrate the best of the region’s tourism and hospitality sector and are open to businesses of all sizes.

Entrants benefit from increased visibility, PR opportunities and independent feedback, while selected winners go on to represent the region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2027.

Previous entrants, Tyrone and Neil Mundell-Phipps from Myrtle Cottage, Porlock, told us, “We genuinely see no downside to entering these awards. The process offers invaluable insights and feedback, the chance to build meaningful connections, and, of course, the exciting possibility of winning.”

Workshops and support are available to help businesses prepare their entries.

For full details and to enter visit www.somersettourismawards.org.uk

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To make sure the evaluation reflects real workplace experiences, we are recruiting up to six people who work in North Somerset to join a Public Advisory Group. Members will help shape the study, advise on the design of surveys and interview questions, and provide insight throughout the evaluation.

You should be:

• Working for an organisation in North Somerset
• Willing to share your ideas and experiences
• Able to attend three workshops over the next year
• Interested in helping improve workplace health locally

You do not need to be part of the Healthy Workplaces Programme to take part. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

📧 For more information: nina.pugh@bristol.ac.uk

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Following an open recruitment process, John Wheatley has been appointed as Chair, alongside Deputy Chair Chloe Critchley. Together, they will play a key role in championing the local area and ensuring the community-led spirit remains at the heart of this significant investment. 

John has lived in Bournville for 16 years with his family. A dedicated volunteer youth and community worker, he currently chairs the local network of children’s and youth organisations. He is also a school governor and works part-time training youth and community workers, while studying community leadership. 

John said: “I’m excited to be leading our Pride in Place team. After 16 years of building community here, this is an opportunity to really bring people together, grow local leadership, and build things that will last. I’m looking forward to the whole community working side by side to make a long-term difference in our neighbourhood.” 

Chloe grew up in Bournville and, after spending some time living elsewhere, returned to raise her own family in the area she calls home. She has a strong track record of supporting the local community, from running baby groups with XTND and delivering youth sessions with the YMCA, to supporting older residents at the For All Healthy Living Centre. Alongside her practical experience, Chloe holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years. 

Chloe said: “Having grown up and raising my family here, I know just how much potential is within our neighbourhood. I want this project to be a space where everyone from our youngest residents to our elders feels heard and empowered to help build on their amazing community.” 

With £20 million set to be invested over the next ten years, Pride in Place represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver lasting change in Weston Bournville, with local residents at the centre of decision-making. 

Recruitment for additional board members will open soon. Look out for further information on how to get involved and help shape the future of Weston Bournville!

The long-term nature of the funding means plans can evolve in response to community needs, providing a stable foundation for sustainable investment.

The post Big step forward for Pride in Place funding in Weston-super-Mare appeared first on In North Somerset.

Due to the approved redevelopment of their current site, Mendip RC Raceway will lose access to their facility on 31st March 2026 – and they need your help to secure their future.

The club is on the search for 1.5 to 2 acres of land which can be greenfield or brownfield to build a new, purpose-built National Standard off-road track. It would serve not just the local RC community, but enthusiasts across the entire UK.

A few things worth knowing:

• All RC vehicles are strictly electric, keeping noise to an absolute minimum
• National events regularly draw up to 120 competitors, with over 250 people nationally expressing interest in attending
• The new facility would bring regular, well-organised events to whatever community hosts it

If you know of any suitable land, or can point the club in the right direction, please get in touch: business@n-somerset.gov.uk

The post Mendip RC Raceway Seeks New Home After Nearly 50 Years of Racing History appeared first on In North Somerset.

Find out more: https://innorthsomerset.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Marine-Lake.pdf

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