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Bristol in pictures: England cricket and the Bears

The big rugby union derby at Ashton Gate on Friday night may not have gone Bristol's way, but the more than 17,000 fans who saw it certainly got their money's worth.

It was a pivotal week for commuters in parts of north Bristol with the opening of the new Ashley Down station, and Halloween preparations continue in and around the city.

A rainbow spied over one of the city's hidden paradises also generated a stunning picture, and there was the small matter of what may well be the biggest entertainment venue in the city officially opening.

PA Media Bristol's Richard Lane dives over the line to score a try as Bristol Bears host Gloucester at Ashton Gate on Friday night. In the background one of his team-mates begins celebrating while two Gloucester players look on PA Media

A thriller at the Gate: Bristol Bears and Gloucester contested an incredible derby at Ashton Gate on Friday night, with the visitors edging a high-scoring contest 44-41. Richard Lane (above) was one of the Bristol players to cross the line in the tryfest.

Getty Images A wide shot of the county cricket ground in Bristol as England played Australia in a one-day international. Australia are fielding in their yellow kit and the full grandstands and housing estates are visible in the background, along with the stadium's large floodlightsGetty Images

Top level: The SeatUnique Stadium hosted a one-day international on Sunday, the decider in the five-match series between England and Australia. Sadly the weather intervened, and the final result was an Australian win due to them being ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern rate when the game was abandoned.

Bristol Ferry Boats A Bristol Ferry Boat vessel travels across the city's harbour on a sunny day. It has many people on board and in the background the SS Great Britain can be seen in its dry dockBristol Ferry Boats

All aboard: Bristol Ferry Boat vessels are a familiar sight to many as they criss-cross the harbour. This week the company announced a new initiative where from November to February, it will offer a free harbour tour once a week to local community groups that work with and support Bristol residents.

PA Media Staff at Noah's Ark Zoo farm are spread across a pumpkin patch at the zoo as they harvest pumpkins. They are wearing the attraction's dark green uniform with logo on it, and many of them are smiling. It is a clear day with some white cloud in the skies abovePA Media

Many hands make light work: Staff at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm just outside Bristol have been harvesting about 10,000 pumpkins, which have been sustainably grown using the zoo's elephant and rhino dung as soil enrichment fertiliser.

Alison Kay Henleaze Lake is pictured looking down its length from one end, with trees and grassy areas on each side. Some people are swimming in the water and a young woman is standing on the lowest of its three diving boards. There is a rainbow overheadAlison Kay

A peaceful haven: Henleaze Lake, a former quarry, is a members-only green oasis on the border of Henleaze and Southmead. In the summer it's a respite from the city heat, but the swimming does not stop with the arrival of winter, with hardier souls continuing to brave the waters despite the dropping temperatures. Alison Kay took this picture of a rainbow over the lake, which opened in 1919.

Bristol and England rugby player Ellis Genge and actor Joe Sims sit together on a bench in Redcatch Park and talk. They are looking at each other and Genge is indicating something with his hands.

Catching up: Just two Bristol lads shooting the breeze. Bristol Bears and England player Ellis Genge met up with BBC Radio Bristol presenter and actor Joe Sims in Knowle after Genge signed a new contract with his hometown club. You can check out their chat here.

GWR A group of people, including West of England mayor Dan Norris and local MP Darren Jones, stand in front of a green ribbon at the opening of the new Ashley Down Station in Bristol. Local schoolchildren are also pictured, as is the city's lord mayor and Dan Norris's dogGWR

All change please: The new Ashley Down rail station was officially opened on Friday. The new stop is on the line between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood.

GWR An aerial shot of the new Ashley Down train station in Bristol, showing both platforms and the double train tracks stretching off into the distanceGWR

Wait is over: The new station at Ashley Down comes after the Portway Park and Ride Station opened in the summer of 2023, becoming the first new station in the city for a century.

@LJ_JONES Red and white laser lights illuminate one of the empty spaces at Prospect, a new Bristol venue.@LJ_JONES

Are you ready? Talking of openings, the venue that promises to be the biggest in the city officially opened this weekend. The Prospect Building, a short walk from Temple Meads on Feeder Road, spans 25,000 sq ft and has multiple spaces inside. Operated by AMAAD, the team behind festivals such as Junction 2 and Love Supreme, it's planned to make it a key hub for music, arts and events in the heart of the city.

PA Media A person shelters from the rain in the flooded Lawrence Hill underpass in Bristol. They are silhouetted against the wall behind, and are carrying a bag in one hand. Behind them is a wall covered in graffiti, and the person and the graffiti is reflected in the water in the underpassPA Media

Then the rain came: Flooding has been a theme this week, from the M5 being shut and motorists stranded to the usual spots in the city, such as the Lawrence Hill roundabout underpass (above), flooding.

Martismedia Detective Stuart Brooks, from Avon and Somerset Police, looks at the camera. He is wearing a grey pin-striped suit, light blue shirt and a cross-patterned tie.Martismedia

Recognition: Detective Stuart Brooks was named Detective of the Year at the inaugural Avon and Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards. One of DC Brooks' colleagues said he was "the best detective I've ever worked with".

One of his big cases was securing the conviction of a former prison officer who had physically abused dozens of children at the juvenile detention centre Eastwood Park in the 1970s and 1980s.

A group of male footballers line up for the camera in a group formation at Goals Bristol South in Brislington. Two of them are kneeling at the front with a football at their feet and many of the players are smiling. The picture is taken at night and there are floodlights on in the background

Grand ambitions: The thousands of players who have kickabouts at the Goals five-a-side centres in north and south Bristol play on pitches named after world-famous stadiums such as Wembley and the Maracana, or here - in Brislington - the Nou Camp. Steve Moore and mates tried their best to be their own version of Lionel Messi on Thursday.

James Colomina A red teddy bear street art creation hangs below Gaol Ferry Bridge in Bristol. The ropes holding the swing are also red, and in the background the muddy banks of the Avon and green trees and bushes on the banks are visible.James Colomina

Street art: Two new creations appeared in Bristol on Wednesday, this red teddy bear swinging below Gaol Ferry Bridge, which links the north and south of the city over the River Avon, and a child wearing a "dunce" cap, perched on a building high over Stokes Croft. Artist James Colomina explained his thinking behind the two pieces.

Conversation PR A group of people including local councillor Tony Dyer stand on the corner of Cannon Street and East Street in Bedminster to announce the opening of a new dentists. They are smiling at the camera.Conversation PR

Drilling down: Plans for a new health hub in Bedminster have been approved. The redevelopment of the former HSBC, the pharmacy and the former William Hill bookies will create a new home for Omega Dental, creating a possible 2,000 new patient places.

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