Andy Bennett
As seen in:
Bottom Line,
Medium,
Yahoo Entertainment,
Yahoo Life,
BBC,
BBC News,
Yahoo Canada,
Yahoo News,
Yahoo News Malaysia,
Yahoo News New Zealand
and
Articles by Andy Bennett
Campaigner praises Corrie male breast cancer story
A man who survived breast cancer says he welcomes Coronation Street's storyline about the disease, which is often associated with women. Dave Talbot, 69, from Olveston, South Gloucestershire, has been raising awareness of male breast cancer since he was diagnosed in 2015. The charity Breast Cancer Now said most people do not realise that men can get breast cancer. About 400 men are diagnosed each year in the UK, compared to 55,000 women.
Penelope Keith 'was like part of the family'
Dame Penelope Keith starred alongside Peter Bowles in the TV series To the Manor Born The former owner of the estate where Dame Penelope Keith filmed hit BBC television series To the Manor Born has paid tribute to her after she died at the age of 86. John Taylor used to own the Cricket St Thomas estate and wildlife park near Chard in Somerset, where the show was filmed during the late 1970s and early 1980s He said: "There was no bad side to Penny, she was just an ordinary nice girl.
The Wurzels' Combine Harvester celebrates 50 years
The music video for the song was filmed in Kentisbeare, north Devon The most unlikely Number One of 1976, Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) by the Wurzels, topped the charts on this day 50 years ago. It was a parody of Brand New Key by Melanie, and stayed at the top spot for two weeks, beating Wings, Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart. Band member Pete Budd said the sound engineers predicted that it was going to be Number One when we recorded it because it was an "everyman's song".
Former MP marks his 80th with charity swim challenge
Andy Bennett & Jonathan Holmes - West of England December 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM Adrian Bailey has supported Cheltenham Town FC since childhood [Adrian Bailey] A former MP and football fan is to swim 80 laps of a swimming pool to raise money and mark his 80th birthday. Adrian Bailey is taking on the challenge for Cheltenham Town Football Club Community Trust. Mr Bailey first watched the Robins play in 1958 as a child, and has since spent more than six decades supporting the team.
Pitch perfect: the man behind Ashton Gate's grass
When thousands of sports fans pack the terraces at Ashton Gate stadium, all eyes are on the work done by Jack Langley and his team. Mr Langley is deputy head groundsperson at the stadium, the home of Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Bears Rugby. Advertisement "If I had my way, no one would play on the grass," he joked. This summer's unusually high temperatures made his job even harder, with temperatures around three to five degrees warmer inside the stadium than outside.
War War Two pillbox opened to the public
A refurbished wartime pillbox has been opened up for the first time since 1945 to commemorate the Filton Blitz, which killed more than 140 people. Bristol Aeroplane Company's works and airfield were attacked by the Luftwaffe just before 12:00 BST on 25 September 1940. Built between 1940 and 1941 to defend aircraft factories, pillboxes like the one in Filton provided protection for soldiers and the Home Guard during wartime preparations. The Filton pillbox is now on display at Aerospace Bristol.
Mum speaks out about 'shame' of husband's addiction
A mother-of-two is encouraging other families to seek help for problems caused by addiction [BBC] A mother has urged others affected by addiction in their families not to "suffer in silence". Jo – not her real name – sought help from Wiltshire-based charity Families Out Loud when her husband's alcoholism pushed her to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
Opal For Schools: A simple, student-friendly phone policy powered by our app. | Product Hunt
Opal is praised for effectively helping users manage screen time and improve focus. Users appreciate its ability to create friction that discourages compulsive app use, leading to a healthier relationship with their devices. Some find it particularly useful for maintaining focus during work and relaxing on weekends by blocking distracting apps. While some users mention the cost as a downside, the overall sentiment is positive, with many noting significant behavioral changes.
Wurzels end gig abruptly as band members fall ill
The Wurzels had to end their gig abruptly because the band's singer was "in a bad way" as temperatures peaked at 31C. Pete Budd, who turns 85 on 18 July, had to leave Party at the Palace stage in Wells on Saturday before the end of the set. Accordionist Tommy Banner said he also felt sunstroke and experienced dizziness after going off stage.
Nile Rodgers on 'all killer, no filler' Glastonbury set
Music legend Nile Rodgers has said playing Glastonbury Festival means "everything" to him. Thousands of people watched Nile Rodgers and Chic perform hit after hit on the Pyramid Stage earlier. Rodgers has written and produced songs for many other artists and played tracks he had worked on alongside the likes of Diana Ross, David Bowie and Madonna during the set.
Sam Ryder 'stoked' for Glastonbury performance
Eurovision star Sam Ryder has said appearing at Glastonbury Festival is his chance to "put a flag in the ground and stand behind" what he has been working on. The star has been spotted a number of times in the lead up to his set, from popping up on a train to giving an impromptu performance at "surprise shows". He will be playing the Avalon Stage at 19:50 BST and said: "There can't be any kind of approach of any arrogance to this sort of thing.
'I stopped for tea and helped to build the Pyramid Stage'
A man who was driving through Somerset when he saw a Glastonbury Fair sign says he stopped in for a cup of tea, before ending up helping to build the Pyramid Stage. Brian Johnson, who is now a WaterAid volunteer at the festival, was making his way from Cambridge to Cornwall with his then girlfriend in 1971 when he saw the sign nailed to a tree.
'I loved anarchy of Glastonbury Festival in 1970s'
An archivist said she "loved the anarchy" of Glastonbury Festival when it first started and people could just "wander in". Maureen Tofts, who grew up in Pilton, said the event was 'amazingly small' in the 1970s but quickly grew in size. By the 1980s, villagers had to stock up on food at home because no one could drive out of the area during the festival due to cars being parked everywhere.
Swindon's first wellbeing festival promotes 'healthy habits'
Town's first wellbeing festival promotes healthy habits Sacha Bigwood & Andy Bennett BBC News, West of England Swindon Borough Council Organiser Sally Langheim (R) says the two-day event is a chance for people to relax A town is holding its first Wellbeing Festival to promote healthy habits for your mind and body. There will be talks on stress relief, interactive workshops covering breathwork, dance flow meditation and mindful exercises.
Illustrator earns degree at 69 to help cut pay gap
An illustrator from Bath who left school with two O-levels has said he earned his first degree at the age of 69 in a bid to increase his earning potential. Stephen Spicer, now aged 70, fell in love with illustration as a boy and began working in the underground press in the late-1960s, before he was offered a freelance teaching job at Bath College. He said he enrolled at Bath Spa University after realising he could earn more money with a tertiary qualification.
Top 10 Christian Dating Sites To Find Someone Who Shares Your Beliefs
Everyone knows how nerve-racking dating can be, and it's even more difficult for single Christians trying to find a compatible partner. You're not just looking for a Christian by name but a dedicated partner who shares your faith and values...which brings us to Christian dating sites. The best Christian dating sites are not just randomly matching you with local singles.
Japanese tree spirits find home in 'unique' forest
Andy Bennett - BBC Radio Gloucestershire and Karen Johnson - BBC News, West of England June 5, 2024 at 12:58 AM·1 min read More than 100 never-seen-before art pieces will be displayed in a "unique" Gloucestershire forest. World-renowned sculptor Ed Elliott will display the tree spirits, inspired by Japanese folklore, in the Forest of Dean's Puzzlewood. The installation will be open to the public between 5 June and 7 July.
Saving money, helping the climate, aiding justice
Interested in saving money on home energy bills? How about helping to fight climate change by reducing your carbon footprint? Or ensuring that the New Jersey communities most affected by environmental pollution get justice and help? If so, the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 may have something to offer you - and your larger community.
Convergence
At a certain point as a software engineer, you realize that if you've learnt a couple of high level programming languages, then picking up the next is pretty trivial! Even allowing for differences in frameworks, there's not much difference between, for example, a REST API with some form of database storage implemented in Python, PHP, C# or Node.js.
Migrating birds from the tropics returning to New Jersey
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," according to a Chinese proverb. But in the avian world, journeys can last well over a thousand miles - and begin with a flap rather than a step! Each spring, birds known as "neotropical migrants" make incredible long-distance journeys to breed and raise young. These "New World" migrating birds spend winters in Central and South America and the Caribbean, with some as far away as the tip of South America.
Lions club to close due to lack of volunteers
The Lions club in Burnham-on-Sea is to close down after almost 50 years of fundraising in the town. In the UK, Lions clubs are volunteer-led organisations that raise money for charity and put on events in local communities. The group in Burnham-on-Sea said a lack of volunteers nationally and in the town, meant the club would close its doors permanently this summer. Burnham-on-Sea Lions have raised more than £500,000 in its 49-year history.
Bath choirmaster's award for sharing joy of singing Original
A choirmaster has been recognised with a Points of Light Award for his charity work bringing singing to older people. Grenville Jones, from Bath, said the letter from the Prime Minister also made note of the internet sessions he held during the pandemic. The daily Points of Light award recognises volunteers who make a change in their community. "It is a good endorsement of our work, [Singing] is exactly what makes me get up in the morning," he said.
Titanic: Extremely rare artefacts displayed in Bristol
Rare and "never seen before" items from the "fascinating and tragic" Titanic shipwreck have been put on display. The Titanic Exhibition in Bristol includes sheet music that was played by the ship's band as the vessel sank and a foghorn used during the rescues. The show was curated by White Star Heritage who specialise in collecting and preserving Titanic and White Star Line ship artefacts. Director Tom Rudderham said the pieces are part of our "culture and heritage".
Gemini carnival club will close unless it finds new home
A carnival club that has been running for more than 25 years says it may have to close if it cannot find a new home. Gemini, based in Ilminster, has won the top prize in the Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit three times and has been running since 1997. But the club has been asked to leave the building where it constructs its carts by the landowner and needs to find a new home by January 2025.
Sub-postmistress 'banned from seeing daughter by Post Office' Original
A former sub-postmistress said she did not speak to her daughter for 18 months after being threatened by Post Office investigators. Tracey Merritt, from Somerset, was prosecuted for theft but the charges against her were dropped. She ran two offices in Dorset and was dismissed for "inappropriate use of funds" in 2009.
Dunster by candlelight event permanently cancelled
An annual Christmas event, which has been going for more than three decades, has been permanently cancelled. Dunster by candlelight in Somerset has raised over £200k for St Margaret's Hospice and has been a fixture in the village since 1986. The event includes a lantern lighting procession and street entertainment. Founder and chair of the organising committee, Hannah Bradshaw said the "sad" decision was down to rising cost of holding the event.
Mastering the Inspiring Hybrid Workplace Recipe
While digital tools are abundant, are they intrinsically motivating employees to return to the workplace motivated to connect, communicate, and collaborate meaningfully to solve problems and innovate individually and collectively? What are we lacking here: training, executive support, technology standards, or conducive cultural norms?
Old Bridge man faces drug and weapon charges after months-long investigation
An Old Bridge man faces a number of drug and weapon offenses after a months-long investigation by the Middlesex County Narcotics Task Force, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Director Anthony A. Caputo of the New Brunswick Police Department. Elijah Parker, 35, was arrested in New Brunswick on Jan.
Gov. announces second extended deadline for property tax relief program
During his State of the State Address on Jan. 10, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that in concert with Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, the state is extending the application deadline for the new ANCHOR property tax relief program to ensure every eligible New Jerseyan takes advantage of the relief. The new application deadline is being extended to Feb. 28, giving taxpayers an extra month to apply, according to a press release from Murphy’s office.
Health and organ donation information event slated at Boscov's
By Andy Bennett Boscov's at Woodbridge Center will hold a Health and Organ Donation Information Event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. Please see the health display on the second floor for tips on how to sign up to be an organ donor, and talk to local volunteers about the organ donation process. Also, there will be crafts and heart-health activities for the kids. Light refreshments will be provided.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Andy
Contact Andy, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack