Somerset in Pictures: Races and a royal visit

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Somerset
Getty Images Two horses are seen silhouetted against the morning sky. They are jumping over a hurdle.Getty Images
Horse racing returned to Wincanton this week

Wincanton hosted another race this week, and the Prince of Wales came to visit farmers in Somerset.

Meanwhile, students at the University of Bath have been studying the intelligence of rooks and crows.

Take a look at a selection of the best pictures across the county this week.

PA Media Prince William the Prince of Wales smiles as he and several other people watch a tug of war competition about to begin in Pensford in Somerset. He is wearing dark trousers, a dark jumper and smart dark grey blazerPA Media

Royal visit: The Prince of Wales took part in a discussion with the charity We are Farming Minds during a visit to Pensford this week, passing on some words of inspiration to the audience as they look ahead to their careers as farmers.

PA Media Players from Bath and Harlequins contest a line out during a match at the Recreation Ground. Bath are in their traditional black and blue hoops while Harlequins are in their change kit of green shorts and white topsPA Media

Home comforts: Bath once again enjoyed an afternoon at the Rec, this time beating Harlequins 47-28 to stay top of the table.

Getty Images An aerial view of the county cricket ground in Taunton as Somerset take on Gloucestershire in a pre-season friendly. Players in white are seen in the middle and overhead there are some light white clouds in the blue sky. The grandstands are empty of spectatorsGetty Images

Back at it: Somerset took on Gloucestershire in a pre-season match at the County Ground in Taunton ahead of the start of the cricket season. Yes, it really is that time again

Bath Spa University A black bird is sitting on a metal fence. It is spreading its wings.Bath Spa University

Bright birds: By rigging up puzzles around campus, Bath Spa University students are studying how their resident rooks and jackdaws on campus use their wits to solve problems and reward themselves with a tasty snack.

Six primary school pupils are standing next to each other with their arms around each other's shoulders. They are all laughing. Behind them is the trunk of the tallest tree in England.

Tallest tree: Pupils from Dulverton Primary School visited England's tallest tree which is found in Exmoor. The site was recently renovated, with new signage and more accessible paths.

Gordano School The netball team members are all standing in a row with their arms around each other's shoulders. They are wearing blue jerseys. The girl in the middle is holding up a silver trophy.Gordano School

Winning team: The Year Seven Gordano School netball team triumphed in a match against Wellsway, securing a 19-18 victory in the West of England Netball Finals held at SGS College in Filton.

Long Sutton Somerset Community A group of people are dotted around a green field planting trees. The grass is green and the sky is partially cloudy. The hills are visible in the distance.Long Sutton Somerset Community

Planting trees: Around 60 people turned up on Saturday to take the first steps to create the Long Sutton Nature Reserve. More than 800 trees and hedging plants were planted by people ranging in age from teens to 80s and everyone in between.

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