2012 was a big year for Bath, and here’s some of the top stories we published here on nowbath.co.uk throughout the past twelve months. Happy New Year!
1. The Olympic Torch Comes Through Bath
(Story published: 22/5/2012)
Back in May, Bath did the Olympics proud as the Olympic Torch Relay came through the city. Chosen as one of the few places that would be on the route, local residents came out in their thousands to support the torch bearers as they came through.
2. Fighter Jets Get Scrambled To Bath
(Story published: 12/4/2012 – link)
Bath hit national news in April after a civilian helicopter let off a distress signal indicating it had been hijacked. Even though it was accidental, two Eurofighter Typhoons rushed to the scenes in the skies above Bath.
3. Poundland Arrives In The City
(Story published: 2/11/2012 – link)
Residents of Bath had a mix of relief and doubt over the new Poundland store which announced it was coming to Bath at the start of November. We think it’s a nice change for shopping locally!
4. Coach In Serious Brassknocker Hill Crash
(Story published: 15/8/2012 – link)
Bath once again hit international news after a tour bus with band Baroness inside came off the viaduct at the bottom of Brassknocker Hill and dropped 30 feet onto the road below.
5. Unsafe Bath Window Cleaner Causes Stir
Health & Safety got a bit concerned when a video of a window cleaner on the Loch Fyne building at the top of Milsom Street was spotted clambering down the building with no protective equipment. The video, which first appeared on YouTube has now been seen nearly 83,000 times.
6. BBC’s The One Show Turn On Our Christmas Lights
(Story published: 18/10/2012 – link)
Bath had The One Show broadcast live from the City for this year’s Christmas Light Switch On, as part of a Children In Need special. The route across the UK came through Bath on the way back to London.
7. Flog It! Comes And Films In Bath
(Story published: 20/1/2012 – link)
Residents were able to get their possessions valued when Flog It! came to Bath in February to host and film a valuation day at the Assembly Rooms. Hundreds of people turned up for the filming.
8. Nick Clegg Makes A Visit To Bath College
(Story published: 23/2/2012 – link)
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visited Bath in February to promote work across the area. During a visit to the City of Bath College, he took a tour of the new Roper building and had a food demonstration.
9. Gabrielle Aplin Reaches UK Number 1
(Story published: 10/12/2012 – link)
Former City of Bath College student Gabrielle Aplin made Bath proud in December by getting to Number 1 in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart with her cover of ‘The Power of Love’ used by John Lewis.
10. Les Miserable Finishes Film In Bath
(Story published: 23/10/2012 – link)
Bath became the home to another film set after it became the final location to finish off the Les Miserable film being filmed this year. After a failed scene elsewhere, Bath’s Weir was chosen to host the film crews.
11. Cash Van In Bath Robbery
(Story published: 25/01/2012 – link)
Moorland Road became the scene of a bank robbery in January after a G4S security money van was targeted in a raid. Members of the public did their best to help but the thieves escaped with a substantial amount of money.
12. Whole Area Loses Television and Radio Signal
(Story published: 20/08/2012 – link)
Bath was without television and radio for most of a day in August after a power failure at the Bathampton transmitter. Although many instead get their television signal from Mendip, no-one in Bath could receive radio.
13. £30,000 Worth Of Wine Stolen
(Story published: 30/11/2012 – link)
A house in Combe Down was the subject to a somewhat expensive burglary in November after £30,000 of wine was stolen. The burglars stole around forty cases of the wine during the robbery.
14. New Council One-Stop-Shop Opens
(Story published: 18/5/2012 – link)
The Council consolidated all of their locations into one this year to make it easier for the public to get things done more easily. You can find the offices on Manvers Street.
15. Avon Fire and Rescue Unveil New Bath Fire Engines
(Story published: 19/9/2012 – link)
Bath was lucky enough to get two new fire appliances this year as Avon Fire & Rescue invested in new equipment to make rescues more effective and quicker.
