The Talk of Totterdown - Tresa
The Talk of Totterdown - Tresa
The Talk of Totterdown - Tresa
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Totterdown</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Newsletter <strong>of</strong> <strong>Totterdown</strong> Residents Environmental and Social Association<br />
Issue No 5, Spring 2007 www.tresa.org.uk<br />
A Star is born<br />
Jamie Oliver chef relocates to the old Cumberland<br />
to create a new community gastro pub...<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> you will know<br />
by now that the old<br />
Cumberland has gone,<br />
and in its place, the Star &<br />
Dove has appeared. So what<br />
does it <strong>of</strong>fer, and how are the<br />
new owners, Eamon Fullalove<br />
and Christiane Jones, finding<br />
<strong>Totterdown</strong>? Well, they are full<br />
<strong>of</strong> praise for their new “melting<br />
pot” <strong>of</strong> a neighbourhood, and<br />
have been taken aback by how<br />
friendly the welcome has been.<br />
Despite some delayed<br />
building work, all is finally up<br />
and running, including the<br />
fantastic upstairs restaurant<br />
which recently got a maximum<br />
five star review in the Evening<br />
Post. “It’s all about the produce,”<br />
says Eamon <strong>of</strong> the Italianinfluenced<br />
(and extremely goodvalue)<br />
food. Also, for those who<br />
just want a simpler pub meal<br />
downstairs, bowls <strong>of</strong> pasta,<br />
stews, “proper ploughmans”<br />
and pork pies will be available<br />
soon. Much <strong>of</strong> the food is<br />
sourced locally, from the Clifton<br />
C<strong>of</strong>fee Co’s Fairtrade c<strong>of</strong>fee<br />
to vegetables from Reg the<br />
Veg. <strong>The</strong>y have local heroes<br />
Bath Ales on tap, as well<br />
as Butcombe, Addlestones<br />
Cider and a guest ale. When<br />
summertime (and the smoking<br />
ban) comes, we can look<br />
forward to weekend barbecues<br />
outside in a new landscaped<br />
garden area.<br />
What <strong>of</strong> the old skittle alley?<br />
This will be Christiane’s baby<br />
– along with her real one, due in<br />
the summer. She wants it to be<br />
a pr<strong>of</strong>essionally run exhibition<br />
space for up-and-coming local<br />
artists, as well as <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
us the chance to see work<br />
normally only shown in London.<br />
Christiane, who used to work at<br />
the Cube Gallery, also promises<br />
something “pretty corking”<br />
for the Front Room Art Trail.<br />
However, they want to keep the<br />
space for the community: it will<br />
be available to hire for meetings,<br />
weddings, yoga classes –<br />
whatever anyone wants, really!<br />
Eamon has other big plans<br />
for the couple’s new venture.<br />
He is considering lobbying for<br />
speed cameras on St Luke’s<br />
Road, to see if his voice as a<br />
landlord carries any weight.<br />
Continuing from his work<br />
at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen<br />
restaurant, Eamon is looking to<br />
get socially excluded youngsters<br />
working behind the bar, in the<br />
restaurant and in the kitchen.<br />
It ties in with their overall aim<br />
for the Star & Dove: to create<br />
a brilliant new community<br />
pub that <strong>of</strong>fers many different<br />
experiences so that everyone<br />
can feel welcome. Is this<br />
<strong>Totterdown</strong>’s new best<br />
hang-out? Get down there<br />
and decide for yourselves!<br />
Will Scott & Anne Smith<br />
Community library opens<br />
Sydenham Road Under Fives<br />
celebrated the arrival <strong>of</strong> their<br />
new community library with<br />
a grand opening ceremony.<br />
Playgroup children dressed up<br />
as story book characters, and<br />
local story teller and children’s<br />
author Sean Taylor from Hill<br />
Street came along to tell stories<br />
and sing songs with the children<br />
in the new book area.<br />
<strong>The</strong> library received a grant<br />
<strong>of</strong> £3,606 from Awards for All,<br />
the National Lottery scheme for<br />
local communities. <strong>The</strong> money<br />
has been used to set up a<br />
lending library for the playgroup<br />
and to give the children’s book<br />
area a makeover, in order<br />
to encourage those children<br />
who wouldn’t normally choose<br />
reading as an activity.<br />
With this in mind, the number<br />
<strong>of</strong> books that boys in particular<br />
will find appealing has been<br />
increased in the hope that more<br />
boys will start using the book<br />
area. Dual-language books<br />
have also been included.<br />
<strong>The</strong> event was a real success.<br />
<strong>The</strong> children enjoyed dressing<br />
up and sharing stories in the<br />
new library area and they now<br />
have lots <strong>of</strong> fantastic new books<br />
to share both at playgroup and<br />
back at home.<br />
Parents can contact the<br />
playgroup administrator, Wendy<br />
McCarthy, on 07708 142311<br />
or phone Monday to Friday<br />
9-11.45am on 0117 907 4108.<br />
Visits are welcome. Sydenham<br />
Road Under Fives also run a<br />
toddler group which is open<br />
daily from 9.45-11.30am. All<br />
sessions include craft activities,<br />
refreshments and an interactive<br />
song time at a cost <strong>of</strong> £2.20 per<br />
child. <strong>The</strong>re is a reduced rate<br />
for siblings.<br />
Georgina Gray<br />
Petition calls for Bath Bridge Safety improvements<br />
Local residents have called<br />
on Bristol City Council to<br />
improve safety on Bath<br />
Bridge and the Wells Road<br />
following the tragic death <strong>of</strong><br />
Pam Beckett from Balmain<br />
Street, who was struck by a car<br />
on January 21 as she was<br />
walking on the pavement.<br />
More than 550 people signed<br />
an online petition calling for<br />
safety improvements and<br />
Richard Jones and Margaret<br />
Davis from TRESA said in a<br />
Radio Bristol interview that it<br />
was finally time for councillors<br />
and highway engineers to take<br />
responsibility for the terrible<br />
state <strong>of</strong> the stretch <strong>of</strong> road from<br />
Temple Meads to Three Lamps.<br />
Richard Jones said: “<strong>The</strong><br />
Wells Road didn’t just become<br />
a dangerous stretch <strong>of</strong> road,<br />
it’s as a direct response <strong>of</strong> bad<br />
planning decisions over several<br />
decades. <strong>The</strong> council has<br />
shown it can make major road<br />
changes if money is involved, to<br />
the extent <strong>of</strong> diverting the M32<br />
to attract shops to Broadmead.<br />
But are they prepared to<br />
make the same commitment<br />
to safeguard pedestrians and<br />
cyclists in <strong>Totterdown</strong> and other<br />
areas <strong>of</strong> south Bristol who cross<br />
Bath Bridge every day?’<br />
In a detailed response to<br />
TRESA, Bristol City Council<br />
Walking and Cycling Officer<br />
Andrew Whitehead said there<br />
was no easy solution to making<br />
the A4 less dangerous. He<br />
said that the road carries 4,600<br />
vehicles an hour at peak times.<br />
As well as being a route for<br />
pedestrians and cyclists, it is<br />
a priority route for lorries and<br />
a primary transport corridor.<br />
He said that guard rails<br />
could not be fitted between<br />
the pavement and the road,<br />
because it would mean the<br />
pavement wouldn’t be wide<br />
enough for pedestrians and<br />
cyclists. In addition, the road<br />
is too dangerous for cyclists<br />
to use it going up the hill. Mr<br />
Whitehead said it was possible<br />
that pedestrian and cycle routes<br />
from <strong>Totterdown</strong> could be<br />
improved as part <strong>of</strong> the Arena<br />
development, though TRESA<br />
has seen nothing to suggest<br />
that this will be the case.<br />
Sam Menter who set up the<br />
petition (which closed at the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> February) has suggested<br />
the following possible fixes:<br />
• Building a pedestrian / cyclist<br />
bridge.<br />
• Installing a high containment<br />
kerb.<br />
• Installing railings along the<br />
whole route from Three Lamps<br />
to Temple Meads.<br />
• Reducing the speed limit to<br />
30mph / other traffic-calming<br />
measures.<br />
Have your say: What should<br />
Bristol City Council do to<br />
improve safety on the A4?<br />
Drop your comments in to the<br />
<strong>Tresa</strong> Letterbox at Patcos or<br />
email webeditor@tresa.org.uk.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Totterdown</strong> Issue No 5, Spring 2007 www.tresa.org.uk<br />
Mast protest<br />
Remember when…<br />
This picture from Kate Pollard’s book <strong>Totterdown</strong> Rising shows the Wells Road tram junction. <strong>The</strong> building on<br />
the right is the old Lloyds Bank Building, now the Power Station Gym and Banco Lounge. (Pic: Evening Post)<br />
Lavender Bloom<br />
halts hawkers!<br />
<br />
<br />
Fellow residents, as you<br />
may have guessed, Mr<br />
Broom is not always<br />
as keen as I am to<br />
<br />
<br />
Taste’. However, after struggling<br />
under the increasing weight <strong>of</strong> the<br />
recycling box, he is fully behind my<br />
latest campaign to limit the amount<br />
<br />
delivered to <strong>Totterdown</strong> Mansions.<br />
It must be perfectly obvious to<br />
the poor postman that we are<br />
not the sort <strong>of</strong> people who are in<br />
need <strong>of</strong> a loan, or who would shop<br />
anywhere that sold jumbo packs <strong>of</strong><br />
sausages for 99p. Furthermore, Mr<br />
Broom assures me that he did not<br />
request the unsavoury information<br />
he received last week. It has<br />
gone straight into the recycling<br />
<br />
case anyone spotted it and drew<br />
erroneous conclusions.<br />
We are also plagued by<br />
unnecessary telephone calls.<br />
<br />
your Italian’ to a strange message<br />
informing us that we had won a trip<br />
to Disneyland. I need hardly say<br />
that we did not call back to claim<br />
our prize. If they had done their<br />
research properly, they would have<br />
realised that a couple who are<br />
about to tour the basilicas <strong>of</strong> Rome<br />
would not wish to be photographed<br />
wearing inappropriate shorts and<br />
eating burgers with Mickey Mouse.<br />
After all this unsolicited attention,<br />
I have taken action. Unwanted<br />
telephone calls can be reduced<br />
by registering with the telephone<br />
preference service at www.<br />
<br />
398 893). Similarly, registering with<br />
mail preference service at www.<br />
mpsonline.org.uk can reduced<br />
unwanted post. Unaddressed<br />
<br />
delivered by the Royal Mail<br />
<br />
that Her Majesty approves. It is<br />
<br />
optout@royalmail.co.uk or writing<br />
to Royal Mail Door to Door Opt<br />
Out, Kingsmead House, Oxpens<br />
Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX. You<br />
may wish to follow my example.<br />
Until the next issue, Tut, tut!<br />
Lavender Broom<br />
<strong>Totterdown</strong> Green<br />
latest plans<br />
Update on opposition to plans to create a 20-space<br />
car park outside the YMCA building…<br />
A<br />
n attempt was recently made to register the small park<br />
outside the YMCA building as a Town Green in order to<br />
protect the site from future development and help us to<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, planning consultants and solicitors acting for<br />
<br />
surprisingly), Bristol City Council also objected despite the fact<br />
that they had refused consent in January 2004 for “a car park<br />
with 20 parking spaces for use associated with the Power Station<br />
gymnasium” on the grounds that, “<strong>The</strong> proposed development<br />
would result in the loss <strong>of</strong> open space that is <strong>of</strong> amenity and<br />
townscape value in a densely built-up area, and is valued as<br />
such by the local community.”<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the points made in the objections to the Town Green<br />
application could have been challenged. However, there was<br />
one issue that hadn’t been anticipated.<br />
It seems that the Green got bigger at some point since 1975<br />
<br />
to the YMCA building is actually still designated as highway.<br />
In view <strong>of</strong> this new information, TRESA withdrew the Town<br />
Green application and advised the council that a revised<br />
application is likely to be submitted in order to try to protect<br />
this vulnerable parkland.<br />
Even so, it seems likely that the council will now consider leasing<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the Green as private parking spaces. TRESA thinks that,<br />
before agreeing to these valuable private parking spaces, it is<br />
reasonable and proper for our council to require that the majority<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Green is landscaped and that contributions are also made<br />
for other local improvements.<br />
If you want to help to protect and enhance <strong>Totterdown</strong> Green, or<br />
if you’re interested in local environmental and social issues, then<br />
please do not hesitate to contact TRESA, webeditor@tresa.org.uk.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
was always intrigued on<br />
walking up Wells Road near<br />
Ithe Holy Trinity Church, to<br />
<br />
<br />
an iron gateway <strong>of</strong> some years<br />
standing with the letters KCC<br />
embedded into the ironwork.<br />
You enter through a small<br />
door, and inside is a club room<br />
where time has stood still. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
Three Lamps Residents Association opposes T-Mobile<br />
plans for base station on the Wells Road...<br />
M<br />
embers <strong>of</strong> the Three<br />
Lamps Residents<br />
Association are<br />
opposing plans by T-mobile<br />
to erect a base station mast<br />
<br />
Wells Road, by Tesco. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
invited T-mobile to the Three<br />
Lamps Residents meeting in<br />
January. <strong>The</strong>y agreed, then<br />
declined. Eventually they wrote<br />
back showing how, on paper,<br />
they have met guidelines.<br />
However, large questions<br />
remain about the health<br />
implications <strong>of</strong> having a mast<br />
so close to a residential area.<br />
T-mobile are likely to submit<br />
an application for planning<br />
permission within the next few<br />
weeks. If you object to having<br />
the mast near the estate and<br />
would like to be kept up to<br />
date with the situation, contact<br />
bridgeteverett@yahoo.co.uk.<br />
If you live close by, come<br />
along to the next meeting <strong>of</strong><br />
the Three Lamps Residents<br />
Association. <strong>The</strong> group meets<br />
regularly at the George pub<br />
on Wells Road.<br />
Created less than 12<br />
months ago, the Three Lamps<br />
Residents Association can now<br />
boast more than 50 members.<br />
We aim to ensure that Three<br />
Lamps Estate remains a<br />
pleasant place to live and will<br />
work together to eradicate any<br />
<br />
year, the Association has:<br />
• Set up a Neighbourhood<br />
Watch Scheme.<br />
• Challenged the Housing<br />
Association to keep us better<br />
informed regarding policy<br />
updates/increases in our rates.<br />
• Worked to improve the<br />
landscaping on the estate<br />
In the future we want to:<br />
• Prevent commuter parking in<br />
<br />
worse if the arena is built).<br />
• Work to stop the estate being<br />
used as a rat run.<br />
<br />
Association to ensure all tenants<br />
are getting value for money.<br />
We meet every two months at<br />
the George. Membership costs<br />
£2. If you live in Angers Road,<br />
County Street, New Walls,<br />
Highgrove Street or Kingstree<br />
Street, come along to the next<br />
meeting or contact the secretary,<br />
bridgeteverett@yahoo.co.uk,<br />
for more information.<br />
Bridget Everett<br />
Texaco redevelopment<br />
Bristol City Council has<br />
received a planning application<br />
to redevelop the eyesore<br />
abandoned Texaco Garage site<br />
on the Wells Road.<br />
<strong>The</strong> application is for<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
retail unit with associated<br />
highways improvements.<strong>The</strong>re<br />
are rumours that the retail unit<br />
will be a Sainsburys Local,<br />
but details have not been<br />
announced. <strong>The</strong> plans can<br />
be viewed at Brunel House.<br />
TRESA has asked local<br />
councillors Mark Bailey and<br />
Alf Havvock to see if it’s<br />
possible to make a condition<br />
<strong>of</strong> planning consent that the<br />
School Road Park gets a new<br />
Behind the door...<br />
is an attractive bar, with very<br />
attractive drinks prices. What<br />
is this place? It is in fact the<br />
Knowle Constitutional Club and<br />
it was a pleasure to chat with<br />
the club secretary, Cathy Gibbs.<br />
It started life in 1904 as a<br />
Conservative Club and it has<br />
a list <strong>of</strong> the club presidents on<br />
the wall. However, about eight<br />
<br />
Conservative Party and became<br />
the Constitutional Club.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Constitutional boasts two<br />
snooker tables and a skittle alley<br />
at the rear. I was informed that<br />
Ray Reardon, John Spencer<br />
fence to replace the rusty falling<br />
down one. TRESA has also<br />
suggested smaller retail units for<br />
independent shops rather than<br />
just one retail outlet and has<br />
asked to be consulted on any<br />
development <strong>of</strong> this site.<br />
and Eddie Charlton have all<br />
played at the club. Other games<br />
played are darts, crib, chess and<br />
table tennis. <strong>The</strong> Constitutional<br />
has regular quiz nights and<br />
cater for parties.<br />
<strong>The</strong> club is currently looking<br />
<br />
be sponsored by an existing<br />
member) and costs only £25<br />
a year. For further information,<br />
call 0117 977 3441.<br />
Cathy also informed me that<br />
she organises the choir at the<br />
nearby Holy Trinity church,<br />
and she would welcome new<br />
members, including adults.
www.tresa.org.uk Issue No 5, Spring 2007 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Totterdown</strong><br />
Victoria Park update<br />
T<br />
he line <strong>of</strong> black poplars<br />
that ran parallel to St<br />
Luke’s Road in Victoria<br />
Park have been chopped down<br />
because the trees had died and<br />
were dangerous. Unfortunately,<br />
the trees were too rotten to<br />
be used for tree sculptures.<br />
Victoria Park Action Group<br />
hope to replace the poplars<br />
with tulip trees because they<br />
are one <strong>of</strong> the few species that<br />
Bristol City Council can source<br />
in quantity at this time <strong>of</strong> year<br />
but also because they are in<br />
keeping with the Victorian idea<br />
<strong>of</strong> introducing new species to<br />
city parks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Victoria Park Action<br />
<br />
<strong>of</strong> other exciting projects on<br />
the go. Work is starting on the<br />
£100,000 project to improve<br />
facilities for young people in the<br />
park. This will include a large<br />
football pitch on the top <strong>of</strong> the<br />
hill and a smaller one between<br />
Hill Avenue and the wetland.<br />
A cricket wicket will be built<br />
at the bottom <strong>of</strong> the park near<br />
Hill Avenue, and a teen seating<br />
area will be installed near the<br />
<br />
<strong>The</strong> bulk <strong>of</strong> the funding is being<br />
Face it. As inner city hipsters<br />
with a streak <strong>of</strong> bohemian about<br />
the cut <strong>of</strong> our distressingly<br />
purple jackets, we <strong>Totterdown</strong><br />
folk can be a bit sniffy about<br />
. Yet consider this:<br />
if the medical soap had been<br />
<br />
Brenda Fricker might never<br />
have moved to a home in the<br />
vicinity <strong>of</strong> Hawthorne Street.<br />
At the time, the Dublin-born<br />
actress had a regular gig on the<br />
show as nurse Megan Roach.<br />
But she was also moonlighting<br />
in the movies, most notably<br />
. Director Jim<br />
spent on rebuilding the existing<br />
skate zone near Fraser Street.<br />
We hope to create a small but<br />
challenging and imaginative<br />
skate area that will eventually<br />
be enlarged and enhanced with<br />
a second phase, once more<br />
funding has been sourced.<br />
Together with Bristol City<br />
Council, VPAG is drawing up an<br />
Improvement Plan for Victoria<br />
Park which will lay out how we<br />
see it being developed over the<br />
coming years. <strong>The</strong> plan will be<br />
based on the consultations we<br />
have carried out over the last<br />
four years, and a draft should<br />
be ready for inspection by the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> March. We will then be<br />
holding further consultation<br />
events for members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
public to examine and comment<br />
on the plan, which will be<br />
<br />
VPAG is continuing to work<br />
on its plans to renovate the Park<br />
Lodge and bring it into use as a<br />
community facility, incorporating<br />
a café. We have been<br />
approached by a restaurateur<br />
who wishes to operate a<br />
temporary café on the site and<br />
we hope that this will be up and<br />
running within the next couple<br />
<strong>of</strong> months. Please do give it<br />
your support. Our next aim<br />
is to have a structural survey<br />
carried out on the Lodge to<br />
determine its condition. We are<br />
also applying for grants for the<br />
renovation <strong>of</strong> the building.<br />
VPAG would like to see more<br />
children’s play equipment<br />
provided in the park, catering<br />
for a wider range <strong>of</strong> ages. As<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the Improvement Plan<br />
we are considering whether<br />
another play area needs to be<br />
established in the park and, if<br />
so, where. We are discussing<br />
play provision with the City<br />
Council and will be applying<br />
for grants to fund this project.<br />
VPAG wants to organise an<br />
Art In <strong>The</strong> Park event, at which<br />
members <strong>of</strong> the public could<br />
watch artists creating artworks<br />
in the park which would then<br />
remain in situ for everyone to<br />
enjoy. If you would like to get<br />
involved with Art In <strong>The</strong> Park,<br />
or any <strong>of</strong> the events or projects<br />
VPAG is organising, please<br />
contact Andrew Campbell on<br />
0117 3775013, or come along<br />
to one <strong>of</strong> our meetings on the<br />
<br />
8pm at Windmill Hill City Farm.<br />
Blue plaque <strong>Totterdown</strong>: Brenda Fricker<br />
Sheridan’s drama, recounting<br />
the story <strong>of</strong> writer Christy Brown,<br />
who was born with cerebral<br />
palsy, was an unexpected<br />
mainstream hit. Star Daniel<br />
Day-Lewis and Fricker, who<br />
played Brown’s long-suffering<br />
mother, both won Oscars.<br />
History doesn’t record exactly<br />
what the mercurial Day-Lewis<br />
might have done with his golden<br />
statue, but Brenda Fricker<br />
loaned her award to a local<br />
corner store for the day. <strong>The</strong>re,<br />
if <strong>Totterdown</strong> legend is to be<br />
believed, it passed a pleasant<br />
day as a temporary doorstop.<br />
News in brief...<br />
Arena update<br />
Discussions are still ongoing<br />
between the city, SWRDA<br />
and BWA, the proposed<br />
arena developers. <strong>The</strong> latest<br />
estimate <strong>of</strong> when a plan <strong>of</strong><br />
any sort will be ready for<br />
public release is in the spring.<br />
<br />
raised in February 2004, it<br />
may be some time yet before<br />
residents have anything<br />
to comment on. However,<br />
TRESA has found a website<br />
that carries a concept <strong>of</strong> what<br />
the development could look<br />
like. Head to: www.burlandtm.<br />
com/_sgg/mbm3_1.htm<br />
Bellevue allotments<br />
A small group <strong>of</strong> residents<br />
is trying to revive some<br />
long-abandoned allotments<br />
at the end <strong>of</strong> Bellevue Road.<br />
<strong>The</strong> council is lending its<br />
support to the idea, the<br />
next step is to identify who<br />
actually owns the land.<br />
At that point we can start<br />
to apply for funding to<br />
regenerate the plots.<br />
Maggie Telfer OBE<br />
Maggie Telfer from Balmain<br />
Street, the director <strong>of</strong> Bristol<br />
Drugs Project, was awarded<br />
an OBE in the Queen’s New<br />
Year Honours List. Maggie<br />
was one <strong>of</strong> the founders <strong>of</strong><br />
Bristol Drugs Project in 1986<br />
since when more than 15,000<br />
problem drug users have used<br />
the service. BDP is based in<br />
Brunswick Square, St Paul’s<br />
and can be contacted on 0117<br />
987 6000 or info@bdp.org.uk.<br />
<br />
Bristol City Council was<br />
given a one-star rating in<br />
the recent comprehensive<br />
performance assessment<br />
(CPA) published by the<br />
Audit Commission. <strong>The</strong><br />
overall rating took into<br />
account: what progress the<br />
council has made in the<br />
last year; how the council<br />
<br />
provides value for money;<br />
how the council’s main<br />
services perform; and how<br />
the council is run. Almost<br />
80% <strong>of</strong> councils were given<br />
three or four stars. Bristol<br />
was amongst the bottom-<br />
<br />
only one star. For more<br />
information, go to: www.<br />
audit-commission.gov.uk<br />
Front Room appeal<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2007 Front Room Art Trail<br />
may not go ahead because<br />
it hasn’t got a co-ordinator. If<br />
you think you can help out,<br />
contact Front Room via its<br />
website, www.frontroom.org.<br />
uk. <strong>The</strong> next Front Room<br />
meeting is on June 7th at the<br />
Methodist Church in Bushy<br />
Park. It is likely that a decision<br />
will be made at that meeting<br />
over whether to go ahead<br />
with this year’s Art Trail.<br />
Kate’s prize<br />
Kate Pollard was named<br />
Volunteer <strong>of</strong> the Year at<br />
the Bristol Newsletter<br />
awards. Kate, who is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the founder members <strong>of</strong><br />
TRESA, was presented with<br />
a Bristol Blue Glass award<br />
for all her work by the Lord<br />
Mayor <strong>of</strong> Bristol Councillor<br />
Peter Abraham and local TV<br />
personality Richard Wyatt<br />
in an event at the Bocabar.<br />
Trolley penalties<br />
Are you fed up with<br />
<br />
around the park or sinking in<br />
the Avon? At last, after years<br />
<strong>of</strong> campaigning, help is at<br />
hand. Thanks to the 2005<br />
Cleaner Neighbourhoods<br />
and Environment Act the<br />
council now has the power<br />
<br />
<br />
trolley. So next time you see<br />
one don’t ring ASDA, phone<br />
0117 922 3838. Hopefully<br />
straying trolleys will now<br />
become a thing <strong>of</strong> the past.<br />
<strong>The</strong> amendment to the act<br />
that makes this possible was<br />
suggested by the former<br />
Windmill Hill ward Labour<br />
councillor, Christopher Orlik.<br />
New neighbour<br />
Deborah Gubbay from<br />
Balmain Street got more<br />
than she bargained for<br />
when she brought back<br />
a Ganesha from India.<br />
Tucked inside the<br />
<br />
Hindu elephant god was a<br />
lizard which had survived<br />
the journey from Dehli<br />
inside the elephant head<br />
wrapped up in bubble wrap<br />
in the hold <strong>of</strong> a plane. At<br />
<br />
lizard’s tail and thought<br />
it was a snake. Eventually<br />
a four-inch lizard, thought<br />
to be a gecko, emerged.<br />
It is now recuperating at<br />
a specialist pet shop in<br />
Ashton. Debbie hopes to<br />
keep the lizard (called GG<br />
for Gecko Ganesha) if it’s<br />
given a clean bill <strong>of</strong> health.<br />
Mena (aged seven) drew<br />
this picture <strong>of</strong> GG so you<br />
all know what it looks like.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Totterdown</strong> Issue No 5, Spring 2007 www.tresa.org.uk<br />
<strong>Totterdown</strong> Square feedback<br />
<br />
following key issues in a recent<br />
TRESA survey about the area<br />
around Oxford Street shops:<br />
• <strong>The</strong> area needs rejuvenation.<br />
<br />
be lowered and replanted.<br />
• Drainage should be improved.<br />
• More litter bins should be<br />
provided and people should<br />
be encouraged to use them.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> plastic recycling bank<br />
<br />
into the car park) with notices<br />
about its proper use.<br />
• Car park should have an open<br />
aspect so users can be seen.<br />
• Parking restrictions should<br />
be enforced, although police<br />
presence was preferred to a<br />
<br />
<br />
considered.<br />
• Anti-social behaviour and drug<br />
<br />
• Most people felt the area was<br />
safe, but some people felt<br />
unsafe at night and worried<br />
about young children.<br />
• Better lighting and regular<br />
police presence were preferred<br />
to CCTV.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> backs <strong>of</strong> shops facing<br />
Wells Road should be improved.<br />
• Tesco should help to<br />
rejuvenate the area.<br />
• Independent businesses and<br />
shops should be supported.<br />
• Suggestions for new<br />
businesses included a café,<br />
regular market and bakery.<br />
• Many favoured a change <strong>of</strong><br />
emphasis at the Oxford pub.<br />
• Although ball games can<br />
cause nuisance, there are<br />
Ads and announcements<br />
GUITAR TUITION<br />
• Pr<strong>of</strong>essional teacher<br />
• All styles<br />
• Beginners welcome<br />
• <strong>The</strong>ory and grades<br />
Individually structured lessons to<br />
suit your needs<br />
Please call Jim Tigwell<br />
0117 977 5878 or 0771 447 5595<br />
DESIGNER WANTED: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Talk</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Totterdown</strong> needs a volunteer<br />
designer to help produce the<br />
<br />
<br />
concerns about the lack <strong>of</strong><br />
facilities for young people.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>re should be more seating,<br />
public art and trees, although<br />
there were concerns about antisocial<br />
behaviour and vandalism.<br />
• In trying to improve the area,<br />
the sense <strong>of</strong> a friendly and<br />
relaxed community should not<br />
be undermined.<br />
<strong>The</strong> full report <strong>of</strong> the survey<br />
is available on the TRESA<br />
website. If you would like would<br />
like to help with improvements<br />
to <strong>Totterdown</strong> Square, pop a<br />
note into the TRESA green<br />
letterbox at Patco supermarket<br />
or contact the website at<br />
www.tresa.org.uk.<br />
Front Garden Festival 2007<br />
Following the successful<br />
festival last year, TRESA is<br />
now planning the 2007 Front<br />
Garden festival to take place<br />
in July. <strong>The</strong>re will be awards<br />
for categories ranging from the<br />
creative use <strong>of</strong> front gardens<br />
<br />
through to overall use <strong>of</strong> plants.<br />
A garden market will be held<br />
<br />
in front <strong>of</strong> the YMCA building)<br />
with stalls and refreshments.<br />
Music and dancing will also<br />
be encouraged!<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> TRESA and<br />
community volunteers will be<br />
out and about in the weeks<br />
before the festival improving<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and litter picking around the<br />
area’s green spots.<br />
InDesign and want to help out get<br />
in touch by dropping a note into<br />
the TRESA letterbox at Patco’s or<br />
email webeditor@tresa.org.uk<br />
INDIGO<br />
• Oriental Cuisine<br />
• Quality Chinese food<br />
12.00-2.30pm<br />
5.30-11.00pm<br />
29 Oxford Street, <strong>Totterdown</strong><br />
0117 980 1901<br />
Takeaway: 20% discount<br />
www.oldcathay.co.uk<br />
JOIN TRESA<br />
<br />
preserve, protect and improve the environment and to encourage,<br />
support and promote social events and activity within <strong>Totterdown</strong>.<br />
Membership costs just £2 per year per person. Please enclose<br />
cash or a cheque payable to TRESA and return this form to TRESA<br />
c/o Patco Community Store, Wells Road, (green letterbox behind<br />
till next to front window)<br />
Grave need for help<br />
T<br />
he Friends <strong>of</strong> Arnos Vale<br />
Cemetery are appealing<br />
for volunteers to help<br />
with fundraising and to provide<br />
labour for maintenance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
grounds. This is particularly<br />
important since a large number<br />
<strong>of</strong> the self-seeded trees are<br />
being removed by the Trust<br />
<br />
restoration work.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is a working party on<br />
most Saturdays from 10am<br />
onwards – most people stay<br />
for two or three hours – every<br />
little helps. For those not able<br />
to do physical work, there<br />
are a number <strong>of</strong> indoor roles<br />
– assisting with the current<br />
visitors room, which also has<br />
the books <strong>of</strong> remembrance that<br />
are accessible in the mornings,<br />
Monday to Saturday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Friends are also looking<br />
to increase their group <strong>of</strong> tour<br />
guides. Above all, the Friends<br />
PATCO’S<br />
• Super Community Store<br />
• Open 10.30am-10.30pm<br />
• Seven days a week<br />
• Health/organic food – <strong>of</strong>f licence<br />
• Hardware – key cutting<br />
• Electrical supplies – car care<br />
• Supplies – Polish food and mags<br />
• TRESA letterbox<br />
• More choice, small queues<br />
Wells Road BS4 2BS<br />
TERESA REES<br />
MCFHP, MAFHP<br />
Foot Health Practitioner<br />
Foot Odour, Corns & Verrucas<br />
Burning & Aching, Fungal Infections<br />
Cracks & Fissures<br />
Hard Skin & Calluses<br />
Ingrown Toe Nails<br />
General Foot Care<br />
Mobile Foot Health Care Service<br />
Tel: 0117 977 6383 or 07748 414987<br />
THIS SPACE FOR £25<br />
are looking for volunteers who<br />
would have an interest in the<br />
preservation and maintenance<br />
<strong>of</strong> this important social history<br />
and wildlife area <strong>of</strong> central<br />
Bristol. More details can be<br />
found on the Friends <strong>of</strong> Arnos<br />
Vale Cemetery website:<br />
www.arnosvalefriends.org.uk<br />
Arnos Vale Tours:<br />
Apr 7: Arnos Vale Heritage<br />
Tour, 10am, £3 each, please<br />
contact Dave Napier, 01275<br />
542491, 0789 167 5373, dave.<br />
napier@blueyonder.co.uk.<br />
Apr 7: Arnos Vale Wildlife<br />
Tour, Bat Walk, 7.30pm. Tour<br />
fee is £3.00 per person.<br />
Apr 15: Arnos Vale Wildlife<br />
Tour, Spring Flowers, 2pm.<br />
Tour fee is £3.00 per person.<br />
To book your place on either<br />
<strong>of</strong> the wildlife tours, please<br />
contact: Mary Wood 0117 972<br />
1079, marywood@talktalk.net.<br />
In brief...<br />
Rat run action<br />
Stanley Hill residents have<br />
welcomed the news that<br />
Bristol City Council has<br />
agreed to spend £21,000<br />
<br />
<br />
is to make stop cars from<br />
turning left from the Bath<br />
Road into County Street.<br />
If you have any views on<br />
<br />
drop a not into the TRESA<br />
Letterbox at Patcos or email<br />
webeditor@tresa.org.uk<br />
School Road Park<br />
Local residents are<br />
gathering support to<br />
renovate the swings and<br />
introduce some new play<br />
equipment. If you have any<br />
suggestions about how the<br />
park could be improved,<br />
drop them in at the TRESA<br />
letterbox in Patcos or email<br />
webeditor@tresa.or.uk.<br />
Get in touch<br />
To contact the editor <strong>of</strong> <br />
with a story, email<br />
webeditor@tresa.org.uk.<br />
<br />
is also available as a pdf<br />
document on the TRESA<br />
website at www.tresa.org.uk.<br />
Printed by Doveton Press<br />
Ltd: www.doveton press.co.uk,<br />
0117 966 0078.<br />
is<br />
edited by Richard Jones and<br />
Jonathan Wright. Editorial<br />
assistants: Samuel Wright<br />
and Mena Telfer.<br />
Name<br />
Address<br />
Email<br />
Telephone<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Totterdown</strong> is delivered<br />
to 2,500 home. To advertise here<br />
contact Richard Jones on<br />
07890 267983 or email<br />
webeditor@tresa.org.uk. Save 20%<br />
if you book four issues – that’s £80<br />
for four issues. Other advertising<br />
rates available on request. Issue 6<br />
deadline: April 30..