June 2011:

School bans skirts after girls flout uniform rules: Nailsea School announced that wearing skirts would be banned from September. Governors made the decision following concerns girls were not adhering to uniform policy and were wearing their skirts too short. They heard from students, parents and staff before voting in favour of the ban.

Parish gets more power: Backwell Parish Council was chosen as one of 31 councils across the country to pilot the Neighbourhood Planning Vanguards Scheme. The scheme, part of the Government’s Big Society vision to give neighbourhood groups more say, will give the council more influence on planning matters.

Times is the tops – official: The Nailsea, Clevedon & Portishead Times was named the best free weekly newspaper in the South West. Your local paper was awarded the title at a presentation of the EDF Energy South West media Awards for 2011, beating off competition from papers from Gloucester to Cornwall. The award judges said the Times has ‘that little bit more of everything – news, sport and reader interaction’.

Picturesque parade: Scores of villagers from Pill and Easton in Gordano took to the streets for the annual rag event. A fancy dress procession through both villages resulted in the presentation of cups and prizes for those who were dressed to impress. The final of Pill’s Got Talent and the crowning of the Rag king and queen added to the day’s events.

Portishead carnival goers refused to let rain dampen their spirits as thousands lined the streets for the town’s annual event. More than 20 vibrant floats and walking parties followed a marching band through the streets to the carnival field packed with entertainment, stalls and fairground rides.