BRISTOL UPDATES

An Indian environmentalist, and local volunteers who came out to support him, picked up 360kg of rubbish during a 30-day, 30-city ‘plogging’ tour of the UK.

Vivek Gurav, who graduated from his MSc in Environmental Policy and Management at the University of Bristol in November, wanted to spread awareness of plogging – that's littler picking and jogging – and help others start their own plogging groups.

The 27-year-old began plogging in his home city of Pune, western India, where he and his many volunteers have picked up 1,000 tonnes (1million kg) of litter over the past five years.

He brought his enthusiasm for plogging to the UK in 2021, when he left India for the first time to take up a scholarship at the University of Bristol. His plogging group has since become a common sight in the city.

In December, he decided to take the show on the road, visiting 30 UK cities in 30 days. Along the way, more than 250 local volunteers joined him, helping to collect 360kg of litter. Recycling the rubbish will save around 500kg of CO2 emissions.

His 1,500 mile tour of the UK, using public transport, included visits to Wolverhampton, Manchester, Stoke, Leeds, Liverpool, Lincoln and London.

During his time in the UK, Vivek was given a Points of Light Award by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visited No 10 on the invitation of current PM Rishi Sunak and spoke at COY17, the youth version of COP.

He is now working for a UK environmental consultancy while continuing his plogging runs. Vivek plans to use the skills he has learnt in the UK to help make India more sustainable.

• bristol.ac.uk

BBC Local Radio is once again honouring your great neighbours, super carers, and awesome volunteers for everyday acts of kindness where they live.

For this year’s ‘Make A Difference Awards’ every local BBC radio station across England needs your help to find these remarkable individuals. They want to hear about the amazing people who have positively impacted communities over the past year.

‘Make A Difference’ was established days after the first lockdown was announced in 2020. It is a virtual notice board where members of the public can offer help to or seek support from people in their local area. To date, nearly 11 million people have interacted across all 39 local BBC radio stations.

There are eight award categories that cover the unsung heroes of every community, including a new one this year – Bravery. The nominations close on Sunday 5 March at 11pm.

The winners will be announced at the Make a Difference Awards Ceremonies hosted by local BBC radio stations up and down the country in September.

• For a full list of categories –and details of how to nominate someone –go to: bbc.co.uk/makeadifference

Internationally renowned explorer, Jim McNeill, veteran of more than 30 years of polar exploration and expeditions, is seeking up to 10 would-be explorers from inner cities areas across the UK, including Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and Gloucester, to join his latest polar-bound endeavour, #Resolute Expedition.

The lucky 10 will join 134 other aspiring explorers on the Ocean Warrior Project, which is undertaking a marine expedition to gauge the pulse of the planet and the health of the oceans, in a life-changing citizen science voyage from Plymouth to Resolute Bay, High Arctic Canada, and back again.

The 10, who will be hand-selected and personally funded by Jim, will join the broader Ocean Warrior Project crew, made up of individuals who will either selffund or fundraise to secure their place on the scientifically significant #Resolute Expedition.

Departing in June, on board Europe’s largest threemasted wooden schooner, SV Linden, itself modelled on a ship of the same name from the 1920s, the not-forprofit expedition has eight legs on its 10,000 nautical mile voyage.

Supported by Patron Tracy Edwards, the worldrenowned yachtswoman, who skippered the first allfemale crew to sail around the world, Jim is hoping to attract a broad gender representation on the trip.

Requiring no previous experience, all funded Ocean Warrior Project participants will need to sign up for Warrior Selection before the end of February. Aspiring explorers will need to show initiative, resilience, tenacity, and good humour, all of which will be tested during a series of challenges on a pre-selection weekend held in February.

• To find out more information about Ocean Warrior Project, the #Resolute Expedition and its selection process, visit: warrior-ocean.com

To celebrate our award-winning ‘Best Boutique Spa of the Year’, we are launching a new Lifestyle Membership for 2023.

The membership brings together the very best in-person and online spa, fitness and hotel experiences into one accessible and super value monthly membership.

For £95 a month, you are invited to enjoy full access to the Aztec Hotel’s gym, pool and thermal experiences at any time, as well as additional treats to enjoy throughout the year.

With wellbeing at the forefront of the membership, it includes the opportunity to rest and recharge with one complimentary Sunday night getaway for two, as well as a complimentary dinner for two at our award-winning Curious Kitchen, to be enjoyed during the year. There are also two Taster Spa treatments per annum, so our members can experience a stress-busting massage or rejuvenating facial from Aztec’s highly trained therapists at no extra cost.

What’s included in our membership:

•Full access to the Aztec gym, pool and thermal experiences

•Online classes through the MyWellness app.

•25% Discount in the hotels

•Monthly nutritional meal plan

•12 Guest Passes per annum

•2x Taster Spa treatments per annum

•Fitness review every quarter

•1x Sunday night getaway for two per annum

•1x Dinner in restaurant for two per annum

•Towels and hot drinks provided

Our guests are invited to retire to the comfort of stunning new lounge beds after their treatment, or what about enjoying a manicure or pedicure at the new stations, created for maximum relaxation. The Aztec team recommend making sure guests take time out to unwind after their treatments, to ensure they get the maximum benefits from the oils. And, while in The Relax Lounge, you can sample herbal teas, infused waters and tasty treats, cocktails and fizz are also available for those in search of serious pampering.

Our spa journey is created to leave every guest feeling special and truly relaxed, you can enjoy the beautiful sauna, hot tub, steam room and both our spa pool and swimming pool. Robes and slippers are provided on arrival. The treatment menu is comprised of experiences to induce the mind and body into perfect levels of relaxation. There are a number of exquisite Caudalie spa treatments, using natural ingredients from the vines and grapes from the family Caudalie vineyard. And new for 2022 is a wonderful signature treatment menu of Temple Spa treatments dedicated to the body, offering simplified wellness at its very best.

There are four treatment rooms designed for maximum relaxation, with a bespoke nail station created to offer the highest comfort. For those who have booked a treatment, an online consultation will be sent to before arrival, helping to guide the therapist when tailoring the treatment so it can be bespoke to every individual’s lifestyle, stress levels, any skin issues and previous treatments.