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In Pictures: Blessed pets and Jacob Elordi lookalikes

News imageSalisbury Cathedral A female vicar in a turquoise robe is leaning down to shake a dog's paw. The dog is all white except for its brown ears. Behind them are rows of seats in Gloucester Cathedral with people sitting down with their pets. Some people in the congregation are smiling while one man is laughing at the scene.Salisbury Cathedral
People brought their furry and feathered friends to be blessed at a special service at Salisbury Cathedral

There were lots of furry and feathered pets on show in Salisbury Cathedral this week during a special service of thanksgiving for animals.

In Bristol, a mural designed by AI was painted on a pub wall and taken down a few days later after backlash from the community.

And new students were welcomed to the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucester, including a member of the royal family.

Here's a round-up of the best photographs from across the West this week.

Somerset

News imageRSPCA West Hatch A close up of a hedgehog curled into a ball with its face just visible in the centre. It is in an animal clinic with equipment blurred in the background. It's being held in the gloved hands of a member of staff close to camera.RSPCA West Hatch

Urgent plea: An animal rescue centre in Somerset said it had seen a 22 per cent increase in hedgehog admissions this summer compared to previous years. RSPCA West Hatch, near Taunton, is urging people to donate shredded paper to use as bedding.

News imageSomerset NHS Foundation Trust Four clinicians in blue scrubs and wearing lanyards are standing in a hospital room all smiling to cameraSomerset NHS Foundation Trust

Innovative research: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is one of 13 centres in the UK taking part in a trial to determine which blood thinning medications are the most effective at preventing complications after an angioplasty.

News imageChris Harvey Photography A little egret standing with its head tucked under its wing and a stunning reflection in the shallow water. The bird's feathers are a beautiful white and its body is bathed in light from a setting sun off camera. Chris Harvey Photography

Majestic pose: This little egret and its graceful reflection was captured by a patient birdwatcher as the sun set over the Ham Wall Nature Reserve.

Wiltshire

News imageSalisbury Cathedral People are sitting inside Salisbury Cathedral with dogs at their feet. The vicar is wearing a long turquoise robe and she is standing in the centre of the congregation. There are rows of seats on either side of her. She has an open book in her hand.Salisbury Cathedral

Giving thanks: Dozens of pets were blessed at the special All Creatures Great and Small service at Salisbury Cathedral on 19 September. The event was first held in 2024 to celebrate the companionship pets bring to their owners.

News imageSwindon Local Studies A black and white photo of a couple dancing as people watch onSwindon Local Studies

Keep dancing: Swindon Borough Council enjoyed a trip down memory lane this week to mark the return of Strictly Come Dancing on our TV screens. This 1950s photo from Swindon Local Studies shows a couple dancing at the Majestic Ballroom, which was once above the large pool at the Health Hydro.

News imageBBC Weather Watchers/katrina A misty scene with a spire peeking out the mistBBC Weather Watchers/katrina

Shrouded spire: There have been some misty mornings across the county this week, such as in Salisbury where the Cathedral could barely be seen on Tuesday morning.

News imageBBC Weather Watchers/Heathery Feathery A heron perched by a canalBBC Weather Watchers/Heathery Feathery

Keeping watch: Thank you to Weather Watcher Heathery Feathery for this photo of a heron sat calmly by the side of the Kennet and Avon canal in Devizes on Monday.

News imageDWFRS Four people who are formally dressed, with military-style medals and decorations prominently displayed, stand behind the memorial bench. The bench is black and white, with the nickname "Sparksy" printed on the front. There are paw prints to symbolise the family dogs. The words "Forever our hero" are printed below.DWFRS

Forever our hero: A special memorial bench in tribute to Watch Manager Mark Hillier from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was unveiled at Pewsey Fire Station. Mark died on 12 October 2023 while responding to a 999 call.

News imageDWFRS A group of off-duty firefighters dressed in cycling gear stand in front of a fire station while mounting their bikes. They are stood with colleagues from the fire service who are not taking part in the cycle challenge.DWFRS

Epic ride: A team of firefighters from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service took on a five day cycling challenge to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Bristol Children's Hospital, via the Grand Appeal.

News imageRight at Home UK A group of people dressed formally are standing shoulder-to-shoulder smiling at the camera.Right at Home UK

Award wins: Right at Home Central Wiltshire, a local homecare provider, picked up two national awards earlier this week. It won business of the year and its registered manager Amy Purps was named rising star of the year at the ceremony in Cheshire.

Gloucestershire

News imageRAU A man wearing an elaborate ceremonial outfit with a Union Flag vest leads a group of university students dressed in black gowns through the streets of Cirencester.RAU

Royal welcome: Students, including a member of the royal family, paraded through Cirencester on Tuesday to mark the beginning of their studies at the Royal Agricultural University. Prince Edward's son James, Earl of Wessex, was one of more than 250 students who took part in the matriculation ceremony.

News imageHouse of Commons The speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is standing between Gloucestershire MPs, Alex McIntyre and Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. They are all holding a giant flag with a cross in blue and yellow on it and green background. They are standing in a lawned area with a hedge behind and two large municipal type buildings in the background.House of Commons

Flying high: The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, joined Gloucestershire MPs, Alex McIntyre and Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, in New Palace Yard, Westminster, to mark Gloucestershire Day 2026, alongside the county flag.

News imageGloucester History Festival Adrian Utley and Philip Selway playing instruments on a dark stage.Gloucester History Festival

Portishead meets Radiohead: Two British music legends, Adrian Utley of the band Portishead, and Philip Selway of Radiohead, performed an exclusive live set together for the finale of Gloucester History Festival. The artists joined forces on stage at Blackfriars Priory for a special musical collaboration.

News imageCarl Sukonik A man and woman smile as they stand on stage with the compere at the Great British Pub Awards. The woman, who is stands in the middle, is holding the award.Carl Sukonik

Best pubs: Two Gloucester pubs were crowned the best in the UK at the 2026 Great British Pub Awards. The Plough in Prestbury was named Best Pub for Families and Dr Foster at Gloucester Docks received the award for Best Town Pub.

Bristol

News imagePA Media Two middle aged male Bristol Rovers fans smile and clench their fists as they pose for the camera before the game with Exeter City at the Memorial StadiumPA Media

High flying Gas: Bristol Rovers made it 11 home wins in a row with a 1-0 win over Exeter City at the Mem on Saturday, lifting them into joint first place in League Two.

News imageFestival and Carnival Lab A group of people are sitting in a large field on a wooden sculpture which is pyramid-shaped and has three tiers of benches. They are all wearing high-vis gilets and laughing and waving to camera. Festival and Carnival Lab

Emerging artists: A new generation of creatives hosted a night of live music and networking at Bristol Beacon. Afro Link-up was a chance for young black people in the events industry to make connections with professionals working across the festival and carnival sector.

News imageTwo people are standing side by side on a large green space.

Doppelganger: Hundreds of people turned out in College Green to watch a Jacob Elordi lookalike contest unfold. Acclaimed Australian actor Elordi is best known for his roles in The Kissing Booth, Saltburn and the HBO series Euphoria. The unofficial event was put on by a University of Bristol online community.

News imageUniversity of Bristol A group of people are holding an award while stood shoulder to shoulder next to eachother.University of Bristol

Drone technology: A team of robotics experts from the University of Bristol have developed new flying technology which can help fight wildfires. They were awarded a prize for its fast-reacting swarm of drones at a ceremony in New York City. The technology aims to contain fires while they are still small and manageable.

News imageA multi-coloured mural of houses with signs on them is pictured on a wall. Alongside it is a man walking on a pavement.

Creatives unite: Artists in Bristol came together on Friday to paint new murals in Kingswood, after one was plastered on the side of the Jolly Colliers' pub wall in Bedminster using AI. Many artists condemned the use of AI for the mural, describing it as a "disrespectful affront" to a city full of creatives.

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