Let’s Walk Bedminster
When we applied for funding and secured £40K, we submitted a map and narrative.
Which of the 18 identified routes on the map become more walkable will depend
upon the community organisations that have promised to work on them during
2015. I’m sure that most, if not all, will be improved. We can also add new
routes, but only if local people really want them to become greener walkways.
We hope to have a clear idea of who is doing what by the end of February. No
good coming along in September and asking if there’s any money left.
This is what you need to do if you want to make a difference by the end of
2015. I’ve added a suggested time-line, but it’s up to you.
Select your walking route. This could be a new one or one that’s already been
identified. GBCP can help you to link up with other residents or groups along
your route. Nobody expects you to do this alone. Please let us know what you
have chosen. January/February.
Undertake an audit of your route: Good, Bad and Ugly. Write some notes and take
some photos. A sketch map would be good. Which parts of the route are already
of high walking quality and which are not? Remember that environments are
very different in the dark. January/February/March.
Make proposals for improvements. This may involve the removal of obstacles or
turning a waste patch into a community garden. Would signage and art work help?
Some difficulties, like crossing a busy main road, may seem too hard, but note
it down and we’ll see what we can do. Monitor future NEWSLETTERS for
information about accessing grants. March/April.
Do what you can to improve the route. Involve as many of your neighbours as
possible. If there are things that you can’t do yourselves, perhaps because
they cost money, contact GBCP and we’ll see what we can do. March to September.
Revisit the audit. Make some more notes and photos. Note the changes since the
first audit. Are there still any intractable problems? September.
Send your two audits to the Let’s Walk Bedminster coordinating group, although
I suspect you will have been working closely with them throughout the year.
October/November.
We know that some groups are already a fair way through this process,
especially those who have been developing Community Plans.
Who is going to do the work?
We expect to be working at three levels:
1. Individual activity: e.g. taking in recycling bins and making great front
gardens.
2. Community group interventions: e.g. organising street events, creating
community gardens and generally spreading the word.
3. More intractable problems: these might require interventions by BCC or other
agencies. They may need some money. We have some money and will be contacting
you soon with more information about how to access this. But, remember, GBCP
helps those who help themselves.
Pavement Obstructions
Just clearing obstacles from pavements would make an immense difference to the
walking environment. Recycling bins are the main problem. Fortunately, BCC is
currently reviewing issues around this and that project is being led by Nick
Christo. Please contact <email obscured> with comments and
observations. One way to look at it is that there are 4 sorts of households:
1. Thoughtful. These are the ones who remove their bins promptly after bin
collection. They seem to be in a majority. They need encouragement.
2. Neglectful. These may forget or don’t realise how inconvenient bins can be,
especially to some types of pedestrian such as buggy pushers and older people.
They are open to persuasion.
3. Unable. There may be real problems associated with putting their bins away
such as the layout of their home and their personal frailty.
4. Unsociable. They could do it, but are not open to persuasion. They don’t
give a damn.
Which one are you?
Types 1 and 2 are best deal with at a local level by good neighbours. Type 3
might be helped by good neighbours, but also require BCC to be much more
up-front with alternatives to their many bins system. Type 4 might be dealt
with by BCC’s enforcement system and, for example, fined in order to
concentrate their minds. At the moment, BCC’s enforcement system seems to exist
in theory only.
Does this make sense? Write to Nick because he won’t know what you think unless
you tell him.
Destinations
Of course, nobody is going to go for a walk if there’s nowhere to go to. During
2015 we are therefore encouraging park groups, churches, shops, schools and
other destinations to redouble their efforts to make their destinations
attractive to local people and to promote events especially aimed at people who
may be less plugged into our community than the bulk of people reading this
NEWSLETTER. There’s already some great work underway.
Community Sculpture in the Grounds of Marksbury Road Library
As GBCP’s Let’s Walk Bedminster project gets underway, we will be looking at
how signage can make it easier for people to get around. Attached is a
proposed ‘tree sculpture’ being suggested for the Malago Vale area which has
been sent to the BCC Planning Department for final sign-off.
The five "destination leaves" are: You are at MARKSBURY RD LIBRARY;
BARTLETT'S BRIDGE - 2 mins; PARSON STREET STATION -6 mins; MARKSBURY RD
OPEN SPACE - 4 mins; WEST STREET - 5 mins. The times are for walking and
are displayed on the top of each leaf.
Malago Vale groups are hoping to hold our "topping out" celebration on a
Saturday towards to the end of March at the Library - more details to follow
Become a Community Fire Safety Volunteer and help save lives in Bedminster
Help Avon Fire and Rescue Service prevent devastating home fires and save lives
by encouraging social groups in Bedminster to sign up for free Home Fire Safety
Visits. Gain experience of community engagement, events and public services,
and gain training and references. Provide a valuable life-saving service in
your community.
To find out more about becoming a Community Fire Safety Volunteer, read
first-hand what it’s like in the attached interview. You can contact The Care
Forum’s Volunteering Team on 0117 9589308 or <email obscured>
Victoria Park Action Group Free ‘Star Party’
As our park is one of the national Urban Dark Sky Sites, VPAG is holding a free
Star Party in the park next weekend, Saturday 24 January if the skies are
clear, but if the weather is poor, then on Sunday 25 January. There should be
4-5 good telescopes at least, accompanied by Bristol Astronomical Society
members who know what to look for, as well as the Explorer Star Dome (with its
projected star show) and some story-telling under the stars, so it should be a
great event! Refreshments will be available for purchase from Vee Double Moo.
Because we can’t cope with large numbers, as that will mean long waiting times
to look down a telescope, we’re asking you to let us know if you’d like to
come.
PLEASE EMAIL Kerry Chester on <email obscured> AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
with the below information, then the group will let you know details of the
time/location of the event and keep you informed about any changes in day due
to the weather.
Name, No. of adults in your party, No. of children in your party (under 16),
Preferred email address.
Protecting Wildlife Habitats in Greater Bedminster
The potential for this is becoming clearer with several possible threads