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Somerset in Pictures: Swan whisperer and the races

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Somerset
Getty Images Two people are riding on horses at Taunton Racecourse as the sun sets. Only the silhouettes of the riders and their horses can be seen.Getty Images
Runners and riders had a sunny backdrop at Taunton Racecourse this week

Racing returned to Somerset this week, while the end of the Easter weekend brought some sunshine.

Elsewhere, one of the oldest family-owned department stores in the country celebrated its 250th anniversary.

Here is our selection of pictures from across the county this week.

Getty Images Five riders are riding brown horses towards the camera. Getty Images

Over hurdles: Brendan Powell rode American Land to victory during the Ron Hatton Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Taunton Racecourse on Wednesday.

PA Media Two people are sitting in green chairs on the beach looking towards the sea. There are people walking their dogs in the background.PA Media

Beach day: People flocked to the beach at Weston-super-Mare over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

A woman is pointing at a picture while smiling at the camera. She is wearing a grey jacket.

Historic shop: Former staff at one of the oldest family-owned department stores in the country gathered for a special event to mark its 250th anniversary. Hatchers can trace its history back to a drapery shop that was first set up in 1775 and it still employs more than 40 people in Taunton. Former employee Alison Winchester was among the guests.

Weather Watchers/Nutkin A brown highland cow is looking at the camera. The cow is standing on a green hill under a cloudy sky.Weather Watchers/Nutkin

Cows and clouds: This highland cow was captured by weather watcher Nutkin on a cloudy day this week.

Team Bath Netball A team of women is standing together in their blue netball uniforms. They are all wearing easter bunny ears and are smiling.Team Bath Netball

Easter win: Team Bath Netball began the second half of the inaugural NXT Gen League season on a winning note as they recorded a 59-44 victory over Severn rivals Cardiff Dragons on Easter Saturday.

Weather Watchers/Mike Jefferies Glastonbury Tor is seen in the distance. In the foreground the sun is shining on some yellow flowers and grass.Weather Watchers/Mike Jefferies

Sunny spells: We've had some mixed weather this week but the sun came out intermittently, making for beautiful photos such as this one of Glastonbury Tor.

In the foreground is a green cake, behind it sits a man in a suit who is drinking from a glass.

Oldest player: A former Bath Rugby player has been presented with a legacy cap 74 years after first joining the club. Stan Francis, now 100 years old and thought to be Bath Rugby's oldest living player, made his debut for the club in 1951.

Bishops Palace A swan is carrying one of its babies on its back while three more swim next to it.Bishops Palace

Spring chicks: There was great excitement at The Bishop's Palace and Gardens in Wells as this year's cygnets hatched in the nest of the Palace's much-loved swans, Grace and Gabriel. The moment of hatching was confirmed by Moira Anderson, known locally as the Palace's "Swan Whisperer."

Getty Images A swimmer is swimming towards the camera in a blue cap and goggles.Getty Images

Competing nationally: Maisie Elliott of Bath University competed in the Women's 100m Butterfly heat during day five of the British Swimming Championships.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Two women in scrubs are holding up a phone and a medical device towards the camera. They are both smiling.Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Medical advancement: Stroke care and research colleagues at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust have teamed up to test a new nerve stimulation therapy, in bid to improve hand and arm weakness in stroke survivors. The new stroke treatment delivers electrical pulses to a patient's brain via a portable, pacemaker-like device.

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