Greater Bedminster Community Partnership
NEWSLETTER (25:15)
Annual General Meeting
GBCP’s AGM will be on Wednesday, June 24 at Windmill Hill City Farm. The
meeting will start at 7.00pm.
Among the items to be considered are:
1. Selection of new GBCP Board. The Board is the governing body of GBCP and
decides its policy and programme for the year. A nomination paper is
attached. If your organisation wants to nominate someone, the nomination
form has to be with Ben Barker (<email obscured>) and Andrew McLean
(<email obscured>) by 19 June. A list showing current members of
GBCP Board is attached.
2. Election of GBCP Officers from among the Board. See the nomination form,
again.
3. Election of a chair for Councillors’ Committee.
4. Changes to the GBCP Constitution. The current constitution is attached.
Because of changes in Bristol City Council, we will need to make some
amendments, especially to section E. If you want to suggest other changes
contact Ben and Andrew by 19 June.
5. Nominations to the Board of Bedminster Town Team. 3 people are required.
Currently, they are Charlie Bolton (representing councillors) and Ben Barker
and Stef Brammar representing GBCP. Nominations will be taken at the meeting.
6. Consideration of an Awards Panel recommendation on the Better Bedminster
Community Chest. We are open for applications until 29 May. An application
pack can be obtained from Andrew Mclean.
7. Consideration of an Awards Panel recommendation on Let’s Walk Bedminster
funding. More applications welcomed until 29 May. Get an application pack
from Ben Barker.
All of the above will probably take 20 minutes or so. Information about
other items will be out in June.
Mind that Giraffe
Swarms of elk, trip-hazzards of penguins and a breeding colony of archaeopteryx
are unlikely outcomes of our discussions with the Avon Wildlife Trust. But,
more native birds, butterflies and bats are, if we can make Bedminster more
attractive to them. The three ‘Bedminster wards’ of Southville, Windmill Hill
and, well, Bedminster rank towards the bottom of Bristol’s bio-diversity
league, despite useful assets such as the Avon New Cut and Ashton Park estate.
The plan we are hatching with AWT is linked to their My Wild City project.
it has three main parts. 1.identify and enhance ‘islands’ of green in the urban
setting. For us that means the parks and other green spaces. All the local
park groups are up for more wildlife and have been in discussion with Bristol
Parks over the years. 2. identify and enhance ‘wildlife corridors’ which
allow birds and insects to move from the edge of the city into the ‘green
islands’. The Avon New Cut, other streams and the railway lines are
important features for BS3. 3. create new wildlife corridors and green
spaces by joining up domestic gardens. This is really the new element in My
Wild City. Many gardeners already encourage wildlife by planting, feeding,
bird boxes etc. AWT will advise on how to do that better and also link
people together. We’ve already identified several possible ‘wildlife garden
clusters’ where neighbours can cooperate. Small Bedminster gardens are
unlikely to have enough room for everyone to have a pond, some trees, a nettle
patch, well-positioned bird and bat boxes etc, but together we can share the
various options so that each cluster has all or most of these features.
More information later, but if you are a wildlife gardener, or would like to
be, contact Ben asap and get on the contact list. We’ll also be publishing a
My Wild Bedminster map soon.
South Bristol Skyline
I went on part of this interesting walking route when it was launched on 9 May.
For a map and background, go to www.northern-slopes-initiative.co.uk/Skyline
Outstanding!!!
In their April Ofsted the Southville Centre After School Club and Holiday
Playscheme achieved ‘Outstanding’ across all areas. Well done them!! For
more information and to book a place ring 0117 9231039 or
<email obscured>
East Street Tales
Local photographer Ibolya Feher is raising funds for her project to document
the vibrant life of East Street. Her aim is to create a unique archive.
recording the events and characters of this historic community and exhibit it
in Bedminster.
‘My project is a celebration of life and the people behind the statistics. I
am passionate about showing the charm of the place and its characters. The
audience is invited to look beyond the stereotypes associated with Bedminster
and promote social acceptance and wellbeing.’
‘I have been working on this project for a couple of years as a labour of love
using my own savings and now I need to raise the rest of the expenses.’
If enough funds are raised, Ibolya will be able to complete her work and cover
the costs of an exhibition. Through her funding page she offers fun and
rewards for every contribution. Please look at her page on
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/east-street-tales
Meet the Students
Don’t forget the open meeting of the BS3 Planning Group on Wednesday (20 May,
Hen&Chicken at 7.30pm) when MSc students will present their reports on
Bedminster’s listed buildings and ideas for street improvements.
Withdrawn in Leigh Woods
If you go down to the woods today, you’ll find an art work by Southville’s Luke
Jerram. The work is called ‘Withdrawn’ and consists of fishing boats lost in
the trees. Even if you don’t find them, you’ll enjoy the walk.
Make Sunday Special in Bedminster
Now that Skills Week and the Arts Trail are out of the way, the next big event
is Make Sunday Special in Bedminster on June 14. we’ll be closing North
Street to traffic between the roundabouts at Cannon Street and Luckwell Road.
More details later, but if you want to book a stall contact Tom at
<email obscured>
Boundary Commission
The Boundary Commission has now reported. Many Bristol wards will be redrawn
in time for the May 2016 all-out elections. Assuming that we continue to base
Neighbourhood Partnerships on ward boundaries, this will mean adjustments,
great and small, to NPs. We don’t yet know if BCC will continue with 14 or
reduce the number as has been rumoured. GBCP has escaped lightly. There
will be some changes between Southville and Bedminster wards, but that’s within
the GBCP area. The main change will be the loss of the Marksbury or Malago
Vale area, ie the neighbourhood around Marksbury Road library. This will mean
that GBCP will be slightly smaller, although a population of 20,000 plus is
still a small town. Of course, we could become much bigger if the new
Windmill Hill ward joined GBCP as some have suggested. But, they might be OK
where they are. Wotsfink?
We need to find out what proposals BCC has for taking NPs forward. They are
playing their cards close to their chest. They either have a ‘cunning plan’
or no ideas at all. Which option is scariest?
Little Free Libraries
Here’s an idea to enliven your street See
http://www.littlefreelibraryproject.org.uk/OurProjects.html . Thanks to Ellie
from Playing Out for this link. It certainly fits Playing Out’s bill and goes
with Let’s Walk Bedminster, too.
Please pass this NEWSLETTER on to others and invite them to join the
circulation list. Let me know if you want to drop out.
NEWSLETTER (25:15)
Annual General Meeting
GBCP’s AGM will be on Wednesday, June 24 at Windmill Hill City Farm. The
meeting will start at 7.00pm.
Among the items to be considered are:
1. Selection of new GBCP Board. The Board is the governing body of GBCP and
decides its policy and programme for the year. A nomination paper is
attached. If your organisation wants to nominate someone, the nomination
form has to be with Ben Barker (<email obscured>) and Andrew McLean
(<email obscured>) by 19 June. A list showing current members of
GBCP Board is attached.
2. Election of GBCP Officers from among the Board. See the nomination form,
again.
3. Election of a chair for Councillors’ Committee.
4. Changes to the GBCP Constitution. The current constitution is attached.
Because of changes in Bristol City Council, we will need to make some
amendments, especially to section E. If you want to suggest other changes
contact Ben and Andrew by 19 June.
5. Nominations to the Board of Bedminster Town Team. 3 people are required.
Currently, they are Charlie Bolton (representing councillors) and Ben Barker
and Stef Brammar representing GBCP. Nominations will be taken at the meeting.
6. Consideration of an Awards Panel recommendation on the Better Bedminster
Community Chest. We are open for applications until 29 May. An application
pack can be obtained from Andrew Mclean.
7. Consideration of an Awards Panel recommendation on Let’s Walk Bedminster
funding. More applications welcomed until 29 May. Get an application pack
from Ben Barker.
All of the above will probably take 20 minutes or so. Information about
other items will be out in June.
Mind that Giraffe
Swarms of elk, trip-hazzards of penguins and a breeding colony of archaeopteryx
are unlikely outcomes of our discussions with the Avon Wildlife Trust. But,
more native birds, butterflies and bats are, if we can make Bedminster more
attractive to them. The three ‘Bedminster wards’ of Southville, Windmill Hill
and, well, Bedminster rank towards the bottom of Bristol’s bio-diversity
league, despite useful assets such as the Avon New Cut and Ashton Park estate.
The plan we are hatching with AWT is linked to their My Wild City project.
it has three main parts. 1.identify and enhance ‘islands’ of green in the urban
setting. For us that means the parks and other green spaces. All the local
park groups are up for more wildlife and have been in discussion with Bristol
Parks over the years. 2. identify and enhance ‘wildlife corridors’ which
allow birds and insects to move from the edge of the city into the ‘green
islands’. The Avon New Cut, other streams and the railway lines are
important features for BS3. 3. create new wildlife corridors and green
spaces by joining up domestic gardens. This is really the new element in My
Wild City. Many gardeners already encourage wildlife by planting, feeding,
bird boxes etc. AWT will advise on how to do that better and also link
people together. We’ve already identified several possible ‘wildlife garden
clusters’ where neighbours can cooperate. Small Bedminster gardens are
unlikely to have enough room for everyone to have a pond, some trees, a nettle
patch, well-positioned bird and bat boxes etc, but together we can share the
various options so that each cluster has all or most of these features.
More information later, but if you are a wildlife gardener, or would like to
be, contact Ben asap and get on the contact list. We’ll also be publishing a
My Wild Bedminster map soon.
South Bristol Skyline
I went on part of this interesting walking route when it was launched on 9 May.
For a map and background, go to www.northern-slopes-initiative.co.uk/Skyline
Outstanding!!!
In their April Ofsted the Southville Centre After School Club and Holiday
Playscheme achieved ‘Outstanding’ across all areas. Well done them!! For
more information and to book a place ring 0117 9231039 or
<email obscured>
East Street Tales
Local photographer Ibolya Feher is raising funds for her project to document
the vibrant life of East Street. Her aim is to create a unique archive.
recording the events and characters of this historic community and exhibit it
in Bedminster.
‘My project is a celebration of life and the people behind the statistics. I
am passionate about showing the charm of the place and its characters. The
audience is invited to look beyond the stereotypes associated with Bedminster
and promote social acceptance and wellbeing.’
‘I have been working on this project for a couple of years as a labour of love
using my own savings and now I need to raise the rest of the expenses.’
If enough funds are raised, Ibolya will be able to complete her work and cover
the costs of an exhibition. Through her funding page she offers fun and
rewards for every contribution. Please look at her page on
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/east-street-tales
Meet the Students
Don’t forget the open meeting of the BS3 Planning Group on Wednesday (20 May,
Hen&Chicken at 7.30pm) when MSc students will present their reports on
Bedminster’s listed buildings and ideas for street improvements.
Withdrawn in Leigh Woods
If you go down to the woods today, you’ll find an art work by Southville’s Luke
Jerram. The work is called ‘Withdrawn’ and consists of fishing boats lost in
the trees. Even if you don’t find them, you’ll enjoy the walk.
Make Sunday Special in Bedminster
Now that Skills Week and the Arts Trail are out of the way, the next big event
is Make Sunday Special in Bedminster on June 14. we’ll be closing North
Street to traffic between the roundabouts at Cannon Street and Luckwell Road.
More details later, but if you want to book a stall contact Tom at
<email obscured>
Boundary Commission
The Boundary Commission has now reported. Many Bristol wards will be redrawn
in time for the May 2016 all-out elections. Assuming that we continue to base
Neighbourhood Partnerships on ward boundaries, this will mean adjustments,
great and small, to NPs. We don’t yet know if BCC will continue with 14 or
reduce the number as has been rumoured. GBCP has escaped lightly. There
will be some changes between Southville and Bedminster wards, but that’s within
the GBCP area. The main change will be the loss of the Marksbury or Malago
Vale area, ie the neighbourhood around Marksbury Road library. This will mean
that GBCP will be slightly smaller, although a population of 20,000 plus is
still a small town. Of course, we could become much bigger if the new
Windmill Hill ward joined GBCP as some have suggested. But, they might be OK
where they are. Wotsfink?
We need to find out what proposals BCC has for taking NPs forward. They are
playing their cards close to their chest. They either have a ‘cunning plan’
or no ideas at all. Which option is scariest?
Little Free Libraries
Here’s an idea to enliven your street See
http://www.littlefreelibraryproject.org.uk/OurProjects.html . Thanks to Ellie
from Playing Out for this link. It certainly fits Playing Out’s bill and goes
with Let’s Walk Bedminster, too.
Please pass this NEWSLETTER on to others and invite them to join the
circulation list. Let me know if you want to drop out.
