Discover nature and find out about the sun this week

The Discover Festival continues with lots of local events. This Friday 26 September at 2 pm there is a Wild Walk in Yate to discover autumn wildlife, fungi and wild edibles with local naturalist Ed Drewitt on ramble around Goose Green. No dogs allowed except guide dogs.

Meet at Goose Green on the Frome Valley Walkway, at the entrance on Oak Close, BS37 5TW. Booking required - press the Book Now button on http://www.southglos.gov.uk/events/wild-walk-discover-autumn-wildlife-fungi-and-wild-edibles-2/

And this Saturday 27 September you can "Discover the sun!" starting 11 am at St. Nicholas’ Family Centre, Chargrove, Yate, BS37 4LG.  Discover more about the sun at this astronomy talk with the Cotswold Astronomy Society plus outdoor observation session using solar telescopes (weather permitting).

No dogs allowed except guide dogs. Age: 12 plus. Booking required - press the Book Now button on http://www.southglos.gov.uk/events/discover-the-sun-astronomy-talk-and-use-of-solar-telescopes/

Many more Discover Festival events are listed here: http://www.southglos.gov.uk/discover-festival/#!/

Success as new proposals received for Wapley footbridge over railway

Paul Hulbert at the Wapley Footbridge

We reported previously that Network Rail's original plans for raising the footbridge from Shire Way to Wapley Common had been rejected by South Gloucestershire Council.

Network Rail have now produced much more realistic plans, with a bridge width of 3 metres which will accomodate bikes and pushchairs safely. They presented their plans to Dodington Parish Council's Planning Committee yesterday evening, and the plans will be made more widely available shortly.

The bridge needs to be modified to cope with the electrification of the main railway line. There will be a temporary footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists while work takes place, but unfortunately the temporary bridge will not be suitable for pushchairs.

Work is likely to restart in November, with the bridge being closed from December to March.