Review of the Year: September (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Review of the Year: September

9:10am Tuesday 30th December 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

YOUNGSTERS in Bridgwater rejoiced after plans were unveiled for a new £5 million YMCA complex. It will incorporate an environmentally friendly and efficient design, which includes solar water heating, a wind turbine and advanced recycling techniques, and draw up to 10,000 youngsters from across Somerset to take advantage of its facilities.

THOUSANDS flocked to catch a glimpse of world-class cyclists racing through Bridgwater as the 2008 Tour of Britain competition reached Somerset. Eager spectators lined the streets to witness more than 100 riders reach breakneck speeds as they headed to the final leg of the race in Burnham. Frenchman Emilien Berges pulled away from the pack and crossed the finish line as the winner.

A PLUCKY lifeguard made waves with 50 members of an aqua aerobics class at Bridgwater's Splash after their instructor fell ill at the last minute.

19-year-old Andrew Clerk leapt into action and led the session with a mixture of unconventional aerobic moves including the conga and the iconic Superman pose. He said: “Everyone was in hysterics and it was a really good laugh.”

A KIND-HEARTED couple from New Zealand sent a young Bridgwater boy a gift from down under after reading a heartbreaking story on the Mercury website, bridgwatermercury.co.uk.

Trish and Marcus Kelly were outraged that young Joshua Etheredge-Ryan had his presents stolen in a burglary on his seventh birthday - so they sent him three brand-new Nintendo DS games from the other side of the world.

FAIR-GOERS descended onto St Matthew's Field as the exciting annual Bridgwater Fair rolled into town. Thousands enjoyed the usual bare-knuckle rides, coconut shies and hot food stalls during its four-day stint in the town.