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North Somerset residents with upcoming birthdays can apply for free bus travel during their birthday month from now until 31 July 2024. Travel for free across the entire West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset areas on participating buses, including WESTlink!
It’s a simple application process. Fill in a form online any time before your birthday at www.birthdaybus.co.uk, attach a photo and then wait for your birthday card to arrive ready to use in time for your birthday month.
This month, why not travel across North Somerset by bus to some of the area’s best attractions and their events.
Tyntesfield
Head to Tyntesfield using the X6 bus service to visit an ornate Victorian Gothic Revival house with extensive garden and parkland. This October, the events running are Edible Histories, Forest School Workshops, Visually Impaired Walks, and the Tyntesfield Halloween Trail. Visit Events at Tyntesfield (nationaltrust.org.uk) for more information.
Somerset International Festival of the Arts
Leading international chamber musicians and performers can be heard during a celebration of music and the arts. Running from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 October at St Andrew's Church, in Church Lane, Backwell, use the X1 or X8 bus services to attend.
Events include concerts, workshops and talks. The festival also supports music education through partnership programmes with schools and the local community. Tickets are on sale here: Somerset International Festival of the Arts | North Somerset festival | St Andrew's Church, Church Lane, Backwell, North Somerset, UK (somersetfestivalarts.co.uk)
The Tropicana
This month, travel to The Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare using the X1, 10 or 20 bus services.
Coming up in October Half Term is the Eleven Roller Disco. On Tuesday 24 October, various roller sessions to suit all ages from 12 noon are available. Visit elevenrollerdisco.org/booking/ to book.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Head to Noah’s Ark Zoo farm using the X6 bus service from 9th October – 5th November as they celebrate Pumpkin Fest!
Enjoy everything the Zoo has to offer plus additional pumpkin themed fun. You can also buy a pumpkin home with you from their wide selection at the Farmshop Pumpkin Patch. Visit What's On | Noah's Ark Zoo Farm (noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk) for more information.
The Curzon Cinema
Comedy nights, author talks, screenings with live musical accompaniment and special events are now taking place at Clevedon’s cinema. Head there using the X5 bus service to experience the cinema in a new way.
The Curzon Cinema and Arts launched Season One, a series of 47 curated screenings and live events between September and December, thanks to a £9,900 UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant from North Somerset Council.
The season explores themes of adventure and the natural world, how local roots are nurtured by global ideas, and the interaction of music and film.
For tickets and information visit www.curzon.org.uk
Weston Literary Festival
Attend this year’s Weston Literary Festival, running from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 October at various locations across Weston-super-Mare.
Headlining the event at The Grand Pier is Raynor Winn, prize-winning author of three Sunday Times bestsellers, including The Salt Path. Attend this event by travelling on the 1, X1 or 7 bus services.
The four-day event includes talks, readings, book signings, family workshops, poetry and performance. From free drop-in sessions to ticketed, pay-what-you-decide events at different venues throughout the town.
For more programme details and to book tickets, go online. Head to Routes & Timetables | Travelwest to find out which bus you can take to attend one of the Festival’s many events!
Working in partnership, North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority want to encourage everyone to ‘walk or wheel’ where possible, helping reach their carbon neutral goal by 2030. When that’s not possible, they want bus travel to be the first choice over car usage. Helping ease traffic congestion and a greener way to travel.
Cllr Hannah Young, North Somerset Council's executive member responsible for transport said:
“Happy birthday to those of you celebrating in October! We hope you enjoy making the most of free travel, and don’t forget that if it isn’t your birthday, you can still travel for £2 until the end of the month. Investment in public transport to make it accessible for all is a key part of our commitment to building a greener future. Thanks to funding from the Department for Transport, we will ensure bus services become faster, greener and more coordinated than ever before."
The birthday bus fare offer is funded by the UK government and supported by the West of England Combined Authority, North Somerset Council, Mayor Dan Norris and Travelwest.
For more information about North Somerset Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/bsip.
