
Plans for the new park include flatter ground and installing a zip wire and fort towers.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service tackle a fire in a the two storey industrial unit in Calne.
Festivals are being hosted by growing numbers of rugby and football clubs to help boost the coffers.
A round-up of stories from local newspapers and the BBC from the past week in the West of England.
Police and the fire service are investigating the cause of the blaze, which broke out at 03:59 BST.
The art pieces were taken from Iford Manor in Wiltshire, where a Jazz festival is taking place.
Our weekly round-up showing life across the county this week.
English Heritage say 25,000 witnessed the sunrise Stonehenge.
The order means Swindon Borough Council can fine owners who fail to pick up after their dogs.
The A420 is closed as six crews battle the fire in South Marston.
Health inspectors find rat droppings and evidence of gnawing in the food preparation areas.
A town councillor says revamping disused Grade II listed building could benefit young people.
Sustain Wiltshire is hoping to harvest fumes from a landfill site to generate electricity.
Swindon Borough Council is going to spend £250m improving social housing over the next five years.
The 12-year-old took to her bed for six months and dropped out of school.
A look at what stories are trending across the West of England on 20 June 2025.
Wiltshire's new Lib Dem leaders say Conservative predecessors had "questions to answer".
Meet the team catching dangerous offenders, helping protect kids from sexual exploitation.
The shocking story of two innocent teenagers murdered in a case of mistaken identity.
Steven Craig re-enacted a torture scene from the film Reservoir Dogs burning his partner.
Linda Razzell was murdered by her husband in 2002 - will he now reveal where her body is?
Kidnapped and murdered while on a gap year in France. Is it finally time for justice?
With a heatwave likely, how much longer will the weather stay like this?
The story of travellers on their way to a music festival at Stonehenge who were stopped.
Jeremy Stern visits the town and residents where Disney+ is filming.
Nick Jewers tells the story of the Glider Pilot Regiment.
Swindon Town forward Aaron Drinan signs a new two-year contract with the League Two club.
Premiership-winning flanker Ted Hill says he is "a completely different player and different person" compared to when he made his England debut as a teenager.
England head coach Steve Borthwick names an initial 36-player training squad for a match against France XV in preparation for the summer Tests against Argentina and USA.
Bath captain Ben Spencer says the "sky is the limit" for the club after they ended a 29-year wait for a Premiership trophy.
Finn Russell says winning a first Gallagher Premiership title is "special" and "has not sunk in" as the fly-half guides Bath to victory against Leicester Tigers.
Swindon Town forward Aaron Drinan signs a new two-year contract with the League Two club.
Swindon Town sign central defender Filozofe Mabete from Wolves on a two-year deal.
Swindon sign midfielder Joe Snowdon on a one-year deal following his release from Leeds United.
Swindon Town goalkeeper Connor Ripley signs a new two-year contract at the League Two club.
League Two club Swindon Town have signed midfielder James Ball on a two-year deal.
Whether the Middle East conflict escalates further will depend on Iran and its allies, writes the BBC's Jo Floto.
The BBC's world news correspondent Joe Inwood answers three key questions after the US strikes in Iran.
Three nuclear facilities in Iran have been bombed, including the uranium enrichment facility at Fordo.
The prime minister says he wants to "reassure the British public that we're doing everything we can to stabilise the situation".
British nationals are being asked to register their interest in joining the flight.
Celebrities tell BBC about "horrendous" abuse on Tattle Life, a site run anonymously - until now.
Students are being targeted by romance scams on dating apps, but talking to a friend can help avoid the danger.
After the recent heat, Sunday feels very different - and there is unsettled weather ahead.
The Lib Dems argue Britain needs to become "war-ready" to deal in an increasingly unpredictable world.
He made the comments after Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared in court on Wednesday.
Cortisol is one of the hormones that control stress - without it we die. But too much can cause problems.
Russian minister Maxim Reshetnikov has warned that the country's economy was teetering "on the brink of recession".
The King Of Pop had 10 statues made in his image in 1995, but where can they be seen three decade later?
Some are beguiled by the Zimbabwean tycoon's generosity, others alarmed about the source of his wealth.
Ten years on, the killing of the notorious Brink's-Mat suspect at his home in Essex remains unsolved.
The BBC goes behind the scenes at a GP surgery dealing with the high demand for appointments.
The bodies of Yonatan Samrano, Sgt Shai Levinson and Ofra Kedar were recovered on Saturday.
Ministers are being urged to back the event amid calls for more funding to address safety issues.
Former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence dies at the age of 61 following a Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis last year.
The Vietnam War veteran started the firm in 1973 with 14 planes before it became a global brand.
Many others were injured when a barrier collapsed as MC Alger fans celebrated winning the league, reports say.
Top stories, breaking news, live reporting, and follow news topics that match your interests
We speak to Trump’s former representative to Iran
And Iran warns of "everlasting consequences".
28 days after a killer virus spreads through the UK, a group in London try to survive.
Former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence dies at the age of 61 following a Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis last year.
Verbal jousting on British and Irish Lions tours is as much a part of the deal as the rugby itself - and the mind games started anew in recent days, writes Tom English.
England's Harry Brook is caught out for 99 after dropping a pull right into the hands of Shardul Thakur at deep backward-square on day three of the first Test at Headingley.
1. How to improve interpersonal conflicts. In today’s fast-paced and often high-pressure work environments, the ability to navigate interpersonal relationships is more critical than ever. Even the most capable teams experience conflict - it’s a natural byproduct of collaboration, diversity of thought, and ambitious goals. Conflicts are inevitable, but how we respond to them defines our leadership. READ MORE 2. Tariffs, tensions, and trouble. In a bold (some say reckless) move, President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium, triggering global concern. Britain dodged the worst, facing 25% duties instead. But the economic fallout is real. The OECD warned that Trump’s combative trade stance has helped tip the global economy into a downturn - and the US isn’t spared. Its 2025 growth forecast has been cut from 2.2% to 1.6%, with further slowing expected in 2026. Meanwhile, Britain’s very thin public finance buffer has put it in a tight spot. The OECD urged the UK to raise taxes and cut spending. The leadership lesson? Playing hardball on the world stage can lead to bruises at home - especially when economics forgets to follow politics. Editor 3. The era of nice bosses may be over. In a shifting economy, once-empathetic executives are dialling up the pressure. A growing number of leaders are demanding more output, fewer complaints - and showing less patience. The tone shift reflects a broader power pivot: companies are cutting middle managers at a brisk pace, tightening control from the top. Experts say the growing rift between workers and leadership is partly to blame. AI adds fuel to the fire, introducing both productivity gains and job insecurity. But some caution against panic. “When the market turns around,” says one Stanford professor, “employees will take advantage of it.” The Wall Street Journal 4. AI anxiety in Anglosphere. New global research highlights a stark divide in public attitudes toward AI. People in English-speaking countries like the UK, US, Australia, and Canada are more anxious about AI’s rise than those in major EU economies, where excitement is higher. This nervousness is linked to low trust in governments to regulate AI effectively - especially in the UK, where only a minority trust the government’s approach. By contrast, countries in southeast Asia are far more optimistic. A quarter of people globally still don’t fully understand AI, yet many believe it will reshape jobs and content creation. While AI is increasingly used in music, media, and recruitment, public resistance is growing, especially among artists and writers pushing for stronger copyright protections amid the rapid deployment of large language models. The Guardian 5. Should leaders prioritise employee well-being over organisational profit? In today’s corporate landscape, the debate between prioritizing employee well-being versus organisational profit has gained prominence. Advocates for employee-centric approaches argue that a satisfied workforce leads to increased productivity, innovation, and long-term profitability. Conversely, traditional business models emphasize profit maximization as the primary objective, suggesting that financial success enables better employee benefits. Striking a balance between these perspectives is crucial, as neglecting either can impact organizational sustainability. This poll seeks to understand your viewpoint on whether leaders should place greater emphasis on the well-being of their employees or focus predominantly on achieving financial targets. VOTE HERE |
6. Puff, Puff, Non Merci! France is taking the “oui” out of wheezing this summer! From 1 July, smoking will be banned in outdoor spots where children roam - think beaches, parks, sports venues, and bus stops. Light up in the wrong place, and it’s a €140 fine and some very disapproving glares from toddlers. The Health Minister declared, “Freedom to smoke ends where children’s right to breathe begins” - a slogan ripe for a motivational poster. It’s all part of France’s plan to raise a smoke-free generation by 2032. Spain’s also butting out, banning smoking in more public areas and supporting quitters. The message from Europe’s leaders? Puff less, lead more. And maybe swap that cigarette for a baguette - still French, but less likely to get you fined. Editor 7. European hotels dominate luxury rankings. Europe reaffirms its status as the epicenter of high-end hospitality, with Paris and London each placing two hotels in the world’s top 10, according to the prestigious travel guide La Liste. Iconic names like The Savoy in London and LVMH’s Cheval Blanc in Paris lead the charge. Italy also makes a strong showing with Il San Pietro in Positano and J.K. Place in Capri. The rest of the elite list is rounded out by standout properties in Bangkok, Shanghai, Chicago, and Cancún. Compiled by a Paris-based publisher, La Liste synthesises insights from over 400 global sources to create what it calls “the most selective” guide to luxury hospitality. Bloomberg 8. AI and the gender divide in automation. Artificial intelligence is poised to disrupt the workforce - and women are more at risk. A new report from the UN’s International Labour Organization finds that 9.6% of jobs traditionally held by women, such as secretarial and administrative roles, face automation, compared to just 3.5% of male-dominated roles. While human skills remain essential, the report urges employers, governments, and unions to act now - ensuring women in vulnerable roles are supported through reskilling and inclusion in future-focused industries. Editor 9. Coffee and healthy ageing. A 30-year study of nearly 50,000 women by led by Harvard University suggests that regularly drinking caffeinated coffee may support healthier ageing - both mentally and physically. Women who consumed around 315mg of caffeine daily (about three small cups) were more likely to maintain good cognitive and physical function into their 70s. Interestingly, decaf coffee and tea did not show the same benefits. These findings build on growing evidence linking coffee consumption with reduced risks of Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. It’s a small daily habit that could have a big long-term impact. The Times 10. The bottom line. More than 30,000 criminal cases collapsed due to lost, damaged or missing evidence, between October 2020 and September 2024, according to Crown Prosecution Service data. The figures, which include 70 homicides and over 550 sexual offences, follow “a series of damning reports” about how police forces store evidence. BBC |