Hi, As you know, the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership set up a website earlier this year (www.greaterbedminster.org.uk) . We are looking to build it up and make it an interesting place where people can go to find out what's happening locally. To do that we need: 1. a small team of news gatherers to collect materials for the site. These do not have to be particularly computer literate and anyway, we can give instructions, if needed. If you think that you can help, get back to me on <email obscured> 2. lots of photos to keep the site fresh. Do you have a picture or two of your favourite bit of Bedminster, Southville, Ashton or other parts of the area? Or even of something that you hate? The picture could be a building or a whole street scene. How about an event in the park? It's up to you. Give the photo a title and send it to <email obscured> 3. please pass this message on, if you can. Cheers, Ben.
A month ago, or so, I was a bit embarassed by my attempt to demonstrate how files work in this forum - only to have my demo not work at all. Well, I'm going to try to embarass myself again. If I'm lucky, you are all about to be treated to a recent photo of our family cat. If everything is working as it should, you will find a link at the bottom of this message. If you click on the link, you'll be treated to a photo of Xena. However, there is a reasonable chance that this will not work. In which case, I'll do my best to figure out what is happening - because this is working in our other forums. Sorry for the intrusion. Keep posting....... Tim Erickson E-Democracy.Org
On Saturday I was invited to a Neigbourhood Planning Network (NPN) meeting which was about using Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) in major building developments - that's 10+ residential units or 1,000 sq m of other use. Attached are my meeting notes which are less than perfect but meetings do meander. Briefly a major development will not be able to take place unless a SCI is signed by a developer and any community group that wishes to have input and the input must begin to take place pre planning. This has been trialled in Redland and St Pauls with success and it means that communities will be able to work with developers to shape their communities for the better. Used correctly this could give communities such as ours real power in how they grow. We are too late to stop Tesco but there is every chance we will be able to have a say on Gala Bingo. I am not currently a member of a community group but I am registered with NPN as a member of this forum (though not representing the forum) and SBLAG (though again, not representing SBLAG) as both groups can potentially reach a lot of people. Please read the notes and I'll endeavour to answer any questions that arise.
Walked past the Gala Bingo site yesterday evening (on my way to the pub to watch a football match of some local significance) and noticed it's now sporting a "For Sale" sign from Wright Silverwood chartered surveyors <http://www.wrightsilverwood.co.uk>. Doesn't seem to be on their current list of properties yet at <http://www.wrightsilverwood.co.uk/propertiesFrameset-3.htm> but i assume it will be soon.
...and I feel a strong affiliation with Windmill Hill! All the best George f George Ferguson Loft 1 Tobacco Factory Raleigh Road Southville Bristol BS3 1TF Website http://www.tobaccofactory.com P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
Hi there I have lived in Windmill Hill for 15 years now and feel no affiliation with Knowle or Filwwod on a location basis. As previously stated BS3 is a common postcode (no pun intended!) whereas BS4 is what we would be linked with. I'm sure that most people in Windmill Hill would find them selves shopping, eating out, pubbing etc.in Bedminster or Southville more than in Knowle and the environs, because of proximity. If nothing else. The railway line does not form a boundary between WH and Bedminster as has been implied. There is certainly more of a divide formed by St John's Lane. Must now copy this to Cllrs Alf Havvock and Mark Bailey while I remember it! Perhaps a local ballot should take place in Windmill Hill? All kind regards, Nixie James-Scott Nixie James-Scott Therapist, Teacher & Reiki Master 0117 985 8036 / 07974 119428 <http://www.nixiejamesscott.co.uk/> www.nixiejamesscott.co.uk
It's Bemmy! It's Bemmy! I'ts got to be Bemsterwith BS3 as a postcode, and Knowle is Up the Hill and Far Away, as far as I'm concerned. (Even if it's only one street away from my house)... I'm on Marksbury Road, and that's part of Windmill Hill electoral ward, has City of Bristol College Bedminster site and Bedminster Road- Southville is just across the railway bridge and Windmill Hill itself- the actual hilly bit- has got Bedminster Railway Station on it. I don't know a single Windhill-ite that doesn't call themselves a Proud Bedminstolian. Knowle? Noooooo....... Steph --- On Tue, 13/5/08, Cecilia Weightman <<email obscured>> wrote: From: Cecilia Weightman <<email obscured>>Subject: Re: [GB-Forum] Fw: windmill hillTo: "Ben Barker" <<email obscured>>, bemmy-forum@forums.e-democracy.orgDate: Tuesday, 13 May, 2008, 12:27 PMI always think of it as part of Bedminster as I used to live over on St John's Lane side and we always called it Bedminster. Police wise the beat is under the same sergeant as Bedminster & Southville. It's in the same extended school area as Bedminster and Southville so it doesn't make sense to put it in with Knowle.
I always think of it as part of Bedminster as I used to live over on St John's Lane side and we always called it Bedminster. Police wise the beat is under the same sergeant as Bedminster & Southville. It's in the same extended school area as Bedminster and Southville so it doesn't make sense to put it in with Knowle.
Charlotte's asked me to post her comment below. Ben.
The Bristol Tree Forum is a great way forward to protect existing and promote more street trees. I recall during my time working on home zones I saw a scheme somewhere in the North East (I think) where because of underground services they couldn't plant trees so instead they came up with the idea of Ivy Trees. The Ivy Tree is basically a metal frame (sort of like a pergola, but in this case shaped like a tree) with Ivy planted around the base. in a couple of years the Ivy has completley covered the frame providing an attractive green 'tree like' street feature but without the need to worry about big roots that will disturb underground cables and pipes etc. To plant street trees you need to have lengthy negotiations with the utility companies (and even then they can say no) but you don't need that to plant shrubs like Ivy. Ivy also provides a pretty good habitat for bugs and birds so good for wildlife <email obscured>> From: <email obscured>> To: <email obscured>> Subject: [GB-Forum] Trees in the streets> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 09:23:23 +0100> > Hi,> > I went yesterday to the second meeting of the Bristol Tree Forum representing the Bemmy Partnership and thus this e-group. The forum is concerned with trees generally, but the key focus is on trees that contribute to the street scene, ie are actually on the highway or very close. Over time it is hoped to increase the number of trees in Bristol streets, but it's also necessary to remove some trees that are reaching the end of their life. > > Planting trees in streets is exceptionally difficult and quite expensive because under the ground there are all sorts of drains, wires and what not that get in the way. The easiest thing is to put a tree into a space that used to hold an old tree. However, over the years as trees were removed, the council tended to tarmac over the hole. Today, the tree team (part of Parks) does not have a record of all of these holes.> > To avoid this problem in the future they are tending to leave stumps behind, a bit like a bookmark. The Tree Forum are asking local people for information about where trees were and might be again. If, therefore, you know of places which used to hold a street tree, but have since been tarmacked over, let me know and I'll pass the information on.> > Cheers, Ben.> > > Ben barker> > Info about Ben barker: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/benbarker> > This topic's messages may be viewed at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/6ER69GZAQy0Lg9mCpWJQhT>
Hi, I went yesterday to the second meeting of the Bristol Tree Forum representing the Bemmy Partnership and thus this e-group. The forum is concerned with trees generally, but the key focus is on trees that contribute to the street scene, ie are actually on the highway or very close. Over time it is hoped to increase the number of trees in Bristol streets, but it's also necessary to remove some trees that are reaching the end of their life. Planting trees in streets is exceptionally difficult and quite expensive because under the ground there are all sorts of drains, wires and what not that get in the way. The easiest thing is to put a tree into a space that used to hold an old tree. However, over the years as trees were removed, the council tended to tarmac over the hole. Today, the tree team (part of Parks) does not have a record of all of these holes. To avoid this problem in the future they are tending to leave stumps behind, a bit like a bookmark. The Tree Forum are asking local people for information about where trees were and might be again. If, therefore, you know of places which used to hold a street tree, but have since been tarmacked over, let me know and I'll pass the information on. Cheers, Ben.
Bristol Neighbourhood Planning Network has fixed up two meetings with BCC planners 1: 14th Preferred Options in Core Strategy at 2.30pm 2: 21st Programme and methods of community involvement in Core Strategy at 4.00pm. Both at Brunel House (tbc). The people currently going are shown below. There is no 'Bedminster' representation. Get back to me if you want to go. For the 14th at 14.30 (Preferred Options) we expect the following: John Frenkel (Civic Society) Alan Morris (Civic Society) Jerry Hicks (Civic Society) Alison Bromilow (Redland & Cotham) Dennis Gornall (Hotwells & Cliftonwood) Stephen Hewitt (Hartcliffe & Withywood) Steve Pearce (Brislington) Wendy Pollard (Richmond Terrace Clifton) David Farnsworth (Civic Society) For the 21st at 16.00 (Programme and methods of involvement): Alison Bromilow (Redland Cotham) Wendy Pollard (Richmond Terrace) Ray Bowden (Lockleaze) Steve Pearce (Brislington) Alan Morris (Civic Society) David Farnsworth (Civic Society)
This needs to be pointed out to whoever is responsible for the consultation. Tess
We could definitely build up a good case for Tescos NOT to have a drinks licence. There have been many complaints about drunken behaviour in the area and local residents are particularly concerned about young drinkers drinking in the alley ways near the Tescos site already. When the Green Party did a survey of public attitudes to an increase in the number of licensed outlets in the area a year or more ago, the results were mixed but people then were thinking about the Cafe/Bars which most people like, rather than off sales, which are often seen as creating problems. Local pubs and bars fear the unfair competition from the large supermarkets as much as fresh food outlets do. Perhaps we need to start a petition against Tescos and in particular against more off -licence sales. Tess
I can concur with Stephen. The "consultation" on Saturday 3 May appeared to be one man counting passers-by on the railway bridge near the Create Centre. He seemed far more interested in his mobile phone than engaging with the public.
Further to this Wednesday survey mentioned below , the Saturday 3rd May transport survey appeared lower key with a single lad equipped with a clip board and picnic chair at the same South end of the rail bridge over the cut. He was not attempting to engage with the public , just record the many leisure cyclists and dog walkers zapping past him in different directions. The lunchtime scene was definitely busier than the weekday, and the steam train was also operational on the North side of course. One aspect of "cycling" not-occurring was the drumlins someone appears to be digging parallel with the flyover edges on both sides of the road. ~I have seen these being dug by (I'm guessing) "youthworkers" in the company of younger boys. Their endeavours are very seldom used and as they grow in scale, bordering on a hazard for other users of the greenspace, who are there much more often; so what gives, is this a sponsored minority activity? And what are the limits to its physical growth if so? Obviously this is still a more constructive activity than stealing and burning the odd pizza delivery motorbike which appears to occur at the same place about once a quarter, and does very much more environmental damage after churning up the grass first! The flyover is tough, but not immune from fire damage either. It and its landscape need at least a little community concern. all best Stephen
I have had a few responses about Tesc-offing. Anyone interested should meet me at Circles next Friday, 6pm.
Hello all, I attended the new Bristol Planning Forum earlier this week as a representative from the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership (see www.gretarebedminster.org.uk). I?ve attached the notes I made on the GB forum if you?re interested. The following issues were discussed: Aim of the new Bristol Planning Forum Planning Statement Community Involvement (SCI) Validation criteria for registering large new planning applications Bristol Development Framework (BDF) update Planning enforcement Residents Parking Zone (RPZ) More detail in the notes. Best wishes
This is for all you planning enthusiasts. Ben. www.bristolnpn.net Reminder 2 May 2008 NPN Meeting on Saturday 10th May 2008 10 to 11.30 'Pre-apps' and the new Community Involvement arrangements. What does this mean for local planning groups? The meeting will take you through - what will happen when a developer asks to discuss a site they propose to develop in your area? - what procedures are there? - what will the planning department expect? - what are the pitfalls? - is there any help available? - when does all this start? and any other questions you may have. Alison Bromilow from Redland/Cotham and Ray Bowden from St Paul's have been involved in pre-app CI [pre-application community involvement discussions] in these areas for the last 6 months and will share their experiences. Meeting will be at the Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square BS2. Please RSVP to Alison Bromilow <email obscured>
Err, today being one of the days you mention Charles, ie the 30th April....I have an anecdote.... I was walking the dog around midday in the meadow opposite side of the river to the Create Centre and encountered some ladies and gents with a tent pitched near the West side of the Ashton Rail Swing Bridge in yellow jackets. They CLAIMED to be surveying who used the park, (having encountered a lot of dog walkers) including where people had come FROM. Then they did a shift change and sidled off to a van in BCC livery marked traffic surveys, waiting at safestore, Clift House Road, and drove away. My Labrador was hoping they'd taken note of her comments about the excellence of the meadow for dog-like activity outwith the human residential environment. Has she been sold a pup? All best Stephen (and Leah)