October:

Solar energy park bid set to cause a storm: Controversial plans to build a huge solar energy park in Backwell were finally unveiled to the public. Wessex Solar Energy applied to North Somerset Council for planning permission to build a solar park across five fields in Backwell on the green belt at Garleys Wood.

Pressure piled on re-sit pupils: Hundreds of North Somerset teenagers prepared to re-take their English GCSE exam following the summer’s marking fiasco. Students who sat the exam in June were marked using different grade boundaries to papers in January, meaning thousands of pupils across the country had to re-sit the paper.

Contentious school plan to be dropped: Controversial plans to turn High Down infant and junior schools in Portishead into two primary schools were dropped due to public opposition and highways issues. The council announced it would instead look at expanding St Peter’s Primary School in 2014 to cope with the shortfall of school places.

Annual apple day fun: Games, performances and taster sessions were enjoyed during a day of apple-themed activities in Pill. The annual apple day was a huge success with many people turning out to enjoy fruit-themed games and musical performances.