Plans for new Hotwells h&cca

Park unveiled HOTWELLS & CLIFTONWOOD

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Following our Autumn 2009 edition which highlighted the lamentable state

www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk
HOTWELLS&CLIFTONWOOD
Autumn 2010
of the derelict space under the Cumberland Basin Flyover, a steering group
convened by the Com-
munity Association has
been looking at your
ideas for improvement
and come up with some
fantastic designs that
could turn an eyesore
into a place all of Bristol
could be proud of -but
how will it all be paid
for…?
Go to page 4 to see how

Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4QW

you can help to make it Cumberland Piazza –the pool and fountain in the 1960s
happen!

Will the swivel swing again?

Brunel’s pioneering bridge in miniature may yet swing again after a turnabout by BCC
officers delivering the Festival Way cycle route. It was thought the option of refurbishing
the bridge to create a bike and pedestrian-friendly route across Cumberland Basin had
been abandoned and it was destined to
rust forever on the side of the Entrance
Lock (see article in our Winter 2010

Published by Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association, 3,Charles Place,

edition). However, other route options
proved so expensive that money has now
been found to lift the 160 year old bridge
for inspection of the machinery under-
neath and gain an idea of what full reno-
vation will cost. The Brunel Swivel
Bridge Group met recently to offer their
support. The Group’s members have
considerable engineering expertise and
are providing technical advice to the
Council.
It is hoped that the bridge will be examined late in September when the Bam Nuttall engi-
neers working on the new lock gates finally leave and there are fewer locking-in and out
operations to contend with. None of this guarantees funding to get the bridge back into
working order but it might at least resolve the uncertainty about whether restoration is a
serious possibility.
NEWS

New Vicar for Holy Trinity Hotwells

The last Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Brian Duckett, retired in
May 2009 and the church has been "in vacancy" since then. A
new Vicar has now been appointed to start in September. He is
the Rev Nick Crawley. Nick currently works with Crossnet, an
Anglican Network Church which meets in informal venues in
Bristol. He will continue to work with Crossnet for 50% of his
time, and will be working in Hotwells for the other 50% of his
time. The congregation at Holy Trinity is looking forward to
welcoming the new Vicar. Nick will be Licensed at a special
service on Tuesday 7th September, at 7.30 pm, at Holy Trinity
Church.
1
 h&cca
HOTWELLS & CLIFTONWOOD
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
O117 9291883
Plastic Recycling
Remember you can now de-
posit a much wider range of
materials at the City’s plas-
tics recycling sites. Most
food containers and plastic
bottles are now accepted.
The principle excluded items
are cling film, carrier bags,
bubble wrap and ‘hard’ plas-
tics like toys or drain pipes.
The nearest sites to Hotwells
& Cliftonwood are by Lock-
side Café at Cumberland
Basin and Richmond Ter-
race, Clifton. The City Coun-
cil is currently running a trial
kerbside plastics collection in
a few areas (but not Hot-
wells). This may extend to a
full service covering all areas
in 2011. Yes, it will mean yet
another collection container
to deal with!
To keep up to date with
Hotwells news as it hap-
pens rather than wait for
the next printed ‘News’
visit:
www.hotwellscliftonwood.
org.uk
Let us know about any lo-
cal events and news that
you would like to see
online.
CONTACTS
Hotwells & Cliftonwood
Community Association
3 Charles Place, Hotwells,
Bristol, BS8 4QW
tel: 0117 9291883
admin@hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk
www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk
Management Committee
Dennis Gornall (Chair) Person-
nel
Brenda McLennan (Treasurer)
Projects
Rosemary Stibbon Administrator
Ray Smith Communications
Mike Timmins Open spaces
vacant CHASE
Anthea Bruges Community Links
2 be invaded by butterflies? Whatever next!
Community News
A New Direction for CHASE tol that they recognise the historic nature
of Hotwells and have no intention of re-
The HCCA management committee has
been looking at the function of the CHASE naming us or undermining our unique iden-
group (Cliftonwood and Hotwells Action tity. Although not directly involved with
for a Sustainable Environment). James Smith production of the brochure advertising
has chaired it for several years but is finding Doors Open Day, the City Council and
that other citywide transport and environ- Destination Bristol appreciate that we don’t
mental commitments are taking up his lim- like the way our attractions have been
ited time. shown and are working to help get it right
In reality most CHASE effort has been next time. Viva Hotwells!
spent on traffic issues and we now have a Pauline Barnes
solid neighbourhood Transport Strategy to
build on. With the advent of the transition Help for Granby Hill
movement, is it time for CHASE to be a Your Community Association and local resi-
dedicated transport group, leaving environ- dents asked Bristol City Council to come
mental issues to the local Transition group, up with a scheme to help the traffic situa-
or does it still have a wider role in the com- tion on Granby Hill. The sight lines are very
munity? poor, particularly on the upper section, and
We don't have an answer and are looking motorists often commit themselves before
for someone to co-ordinate CHASE who being able to see that a vehicle is coming in
the opposite direction. This leads to tricky
might have a view on where it should fit
into the local campaigns jigsaw. manoeuvring and increased pollution, while
James will continue to provide support us- tempers fray and clutches burn.
ing city transport contacts , so his successor The Council has come up with a proposal
will not be on their own. Please contact any to introduce a passing place on each sec-
of us directly or via Rosemary at the office tion, coupled with double yellow lines on
if you would like to know more. the corners. Motorists will be encouraged
to park at right-angles to the kerb (echelon)
Why do they keep calling us in the very wide section at the top of the
hill, which should off-set the loss of any
‘Harbourside’
It was disappointing to see that, despite all parking spaces in Granby Hill.
the Community Association’s representa- Local residents will have views on the pro-
tions, the Bristol Doors Open Day 2010 posals when they come out for public con-
brochure lists all the Hotwells attractions sultation, but The Community Association
such as Old Dock Cottages, Deal Cottages, and the Council really hope that when the
Underfall Yard , The Create Centre, Spike statutory consultation takes place people
Island and the new Lock Control Buildings won’t dismiss the proposals out of hand and
under “Harbourside and Spike Island”. No- object just because they don’t like change
body seems to know where the term or think they may have to walk a little fur-
“Harbourside” came from, but it has now ther to and from a parking space. The
become a blanket term covering a number Council has the ability at the moment to
of places near the water and not just the improve conditions for everyone on this
difficult stretch of road. Let’s get the meas-
new development for which it was originally
invented and which finishes at the end of ures introduced as soon as we can.
Pauline Barnes
Anchor Road. We have been assured by
both the City Council and Destination Bris-
Being Nice to Nettles
Cliftonwood's green spaces are becoming a refuge for an
unloved plant. Notices have appeared alongside stinging
nettles pleading 'Please be Nice to Nettles'. The notices
claim that the stinging nettle is one of the most important
native plants for wildlife in the UK, supporting over 40 spe-
cies of insect including some of our most colourful butter-
flies. The Peacock, Red Admiral, the Small Tortoiseshell
and the Comma butterflies all depend on stinging nettles
for laying their eggs and nurturing their caterpillars. Other
native insects, such as moths, also depend on the plants.
It seems that nettles now have their own website at www.nettles.org.uk. There it is
suggested that a clump of nettles might be allowed to grow in a corner of a garden –and
 Community News
Improvements at Mardyke
Wharf
The City Council is apparently working on
an idea to provide a ‘bus haven and shelter
at Mardyke Wharf with improvements to
the adjoining pedestrian and cycle routes’.
No scheme has been brought forward for
consultation yet but, if it happens, it will
involve demolishing the ugly corrugated
metal shed that has adorned the dockside
since the days of the ‘Flying Fox’ training
ship for which it was originally built. We
are not sure whether it will also include
demolition of the nearby two small brick
sheds as well.
There is also a proposal to widen the foot-
path along Mardyke Wharf by moving the
railings nearer to the dockside. This will
allow it to be recognized as a formal shared
pedestrian/cycle path. At present its status
is uncertain although it is heavily used by
both modes of transport.
The shed demolition has great potential for
opening up the vista of the Floating Harbour
and removing an eyesore, so we await the
details of the scheme with interest.
A tale of ballast, bicycles and
bureaucracy
Sometimes projects seem like bus arrivals -
none come for ages, and then two turn up
at once. This is what seems to be happen-
ing with the piece of land near the Record
Office containing the seat and interpretation
plaques about the Cumberland Basin flyover
scheme. This area doesn’t seem to have a
formal name - some call it ‘The Point’, and it
has been called the ‘Flipper’...
Whatever its name, it has been identified as
the most promising site for a ‘Ballast Seed
Garden’, an Arnolfini outreach project. A
Ballast Seed Garden comprises plantings in a
landscaped setting, complete with seats and
interpretation boards, of seeds accidentally
imported into Bristol as part of the ballast
load carried in the holds of ships. Quite
often seed-bearing soil was used as ballast,
and when removed to make way for a
proper cargo the ballast was disposed of
near the docks. The ‘foreign’ seeds pro-
ceeded to germinate and grow. This initia-
tive seeks to be a reminder of the rich
maritime history of Bristol. Much work is
yet to be done on the project but it could
be a most attractive use of this area.
Meanwhile, under the auspices of Sustrans’
Connect2 scheme, plans are being laid to
provide a cycle path from the south side of
the Cumberland Basin to link up with the
cycle track over the old Ashton Swing
Bridge, and the proposed route is, yes,
round the Point (or Flipper).
Fortunately, the two projects have found
each other before someone starts work,
and it is to be hoped that very soon a com-
bined plan will be produced on which we
can all make comments…
Mike Timmins
Community Noticeboards
Many of these, which were put up several
years ago are showing signs of wear and
tear. HCCA now has funding from
Neighbourhood Partnership to refurbish
existing boards and put up two new ones –
at the Nova Scotia pub and at McColls con-
venience store on Cumberland Rd. by the
Baltic Wharf estate.
The board on Cornwallis Crescent which
was also ‘tagged’ with grafitti has now been
replaced using money from the Panto Fund.
Thanks are due to Rosemary Stibbon who
has been handling most of the negotiations
to make this happen.
Can you help with a new com-
munity garden?
HCCA is negotiating with the Council to
gain some management control over the
small area of land adjoining Cumberland
Place in Hotwells. Currently this is part-
owned by Edward Ware Homes (in receiv-
ership) but prospects for its transfer to
Bristol in the near future seem good.
If you are interested in getting involved in
planning and maintaining this garden as a
community space, please contact Lynda
Stahl at 1, Albemarle Row.
E-mail: lynstahl@googlemail.com
h&cca
HOTWELLS & CLIFTONWOOD
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
O117 9291883
Admin@hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk
Panto profits fund com-
munity projects
This year’s pantomime
made £2,700, half of which
has gone to HCCA. We
have given £500 to Trinity
Daycare for tables and £500
to Puppet Place towards the
cost of their Doors Open
Day on Sept 11th. We will
be spending about £500 on
replacing one of the CA no-
ticeboards.
We will keep some money in
reserve, but have another
£1,000 available if anyone
would like to make a bid for
a community project.
A little light relief
For seven years Sue Otty,
on behalf of Community
Links, battled to get Bear
Lane designated as a public
right of way by the City
Council. Two years later it
was discovered that the Or-
der had not been entered on
the Council’s records and so
Officials were refusing to put
any lighting in the lane, de-
spite there being a pub at
one end and a children’s
playground and doctor’s
surgery at the other. Sue
was able to provide the
number and date of the Or-
der and a site meeting was
arranged with the relevant
Council Official who immedi-
ately acknowledged that
lighting Bear Lane should be
a priority for the Council.
Work started straight away
on getting the necessary
permissions. The light will
make a huge difference to
the area and thanks are due
to Sue and her tenacity over
such a long period.
Double Parking
In a word –don’t. Bristol City
Council has begun a cam-
paign of enforcement and
transgressors will be liable
to receive a £70 fine!
3
 A new park for Hotwells—the plans are unveiled
With the help of a small steering group, we have come up with some exciting ideas following the
launch last year of a campaign to improve the derelict space under the flyover in Hotwells. Local
architects Roger Foster and Caroline Grazebrook along with Mark Pumphrey, a landscape architect
have matched your ideas to what seems practicable for the site and outlined two alternative
schemes. These include features like an ‘urban wood’, a grassed space and children’s play area, a
heritage display with interpretaton panels, a possible community building and small commercial of-
fices with car-parking.

What we plan to do
Our survey showed that some form of ‘park’ on part of the site at least was nearly twice as popular as any other suggestion.
Discussions with Council officers have limited some of the options. A café, it was felt, would compete with Lockside Restau-
rant on the other side of Cumberland Basin. Only car parking
associated with the use of the facilities on the site is likely to be
allowed (ie. not general public parking). Otherwise, very little
has been ruled out and the officers spoken to by members of
the Steering Group seem generally supportive.
The derelict toilets would be refurbished or converted into a
small community space or storage building. The plan also envis-
ages using some of the materials that will need to be removed
from the site to infill the little-used underpass across Faraday
Road. The overall scheme should be flexible enough to include
other elements if and when support can be achieved for these.
For example a sculpture trail, an outdoor gym or a ‘wheels
park’ for young people.
We would like to build some kind of community meeting space
because this has been a major need since the loss of Hope Cen-
tre in 2001. The plans identify two possible sites for buildings
under the flyover ramps. One of these might be a dedicated
community building; the other might be developed as a mix of
4 south side of the site showing former play area
commercial offices shared with a community space.
The wider vision
The overall aim is improve recreational facilities in Hotwells but also to
persuade Bristol City Council to recognise the importance of the site as a
gateway to Bristol for visitors and commuters and a hub for a growing net-
work of cycling and walking routes. It could also form a link in a chain of
initiatives that would improve Hotwells’ profile as a place worth visiting and
help our economic development (see page1 article on Brunel Swivel Bridge
and Ballast Garden project on page 3). We would like to put up interpreta-
tion boards or plaques explaining the local history of Hotwells, the devel-
opment of the Spa, the locks and Cumberland basin and maybe even the
Flyover development in the 1960s!
could this be a new heritage attraction for City visitors?
How will it all be paid for?
Of course, funding is a major consideration at a time of shrinking public spending and the Steering Group envisage the mas-
ter plan being implemented in a number of stages, perhaps over a number
of years. However, some real improvements should be possible for rela-
tively modest amounts of money. There are still grants available for new
parks within the National Lottery. We also want to ensure that any
’Section 106’ funds associated with new building development in the
neighbourhood are not siphoned off to support parks in other areas (we
reported on this in our Autumn 2008 edition—see
http://www.scribd.com/doc/31108182/Hotwells-News-Autumn-2008.
If we can get permission for a small commercial building at the edge of the
site, a partnership with a developer might enable us to include a new
community meeting space or additional funds to put into creating other
facilities for the park itself. The first task is to get the Council to accept
would a small commercial building be appropriate in this in principle that this is a park –not just a piece of waste ground for which
under-used space?
nobody needs to accept responsibility!
What happens next?
• We need to demonstrate the support of as many local people as possible for the principle of improving this space so we
are sponsoring a petition to Bristol City Council (see box for details).
• We want your reactions to the work that has been done so far as well as your ideas for improvements so that we can
present a solution to the City
Council that has wide support in
the community. Now it’s up to you!
• HCCA will work to get the site If you support the following:
added to the list of open spaces “We the undersigned call on Bristol City Council to end 40
included in the BCC ‘Area Parks & years of neglect and work with the community towards reinstat-
Green Space Strategy’ which is ing the former Cumberland Piazza in Hotwells as an attractive
out for consultation now. Cur-
public open space that will meet the recreational needs of local
rently the Piazza has no classifica-
tion. people and mark a gateway to the City of which all citizens can
be proud”
• We need to ensure The Parks
Dept. share of Section 106 fund- then please add your name to the ‘New Park for Hotwells’
ing arising from new development online petition at : http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk
in the neighbourhood is allocated paper petition forms will also be available at the HCCA office and at meet-
to this site or other open spaces ings and other events sponsored by the community associatiion. The peti-
within the ward. tion will close on 31st Dec.

If you would like to see more details of the proposaI:

You can view or download the report (8 pages) from:
J H THOMPSON http://www.scribd.com/doc/36337905/hotwells-park-proposal
BA (Hons) DO MRO Printed versions are available from the HCCA office in return for a small
donation to cover costs.
REGISTERED OSTEOPATH
If you want to comment on the proposal:
39 Oldfield Road Come to a meeting at 7:30pm on October 12th at the Spring
Hotwells Gardens pub in Hotwell Road . Members of the steering
BRISTOL group will present the plans and you will have an opportunity to
BS8 4QQ discuss them in more detail.
Post a message to the new HCCA e-forum by going to:
Tel: (0117) 927 2100 http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/bristol-hc 5
 Events
West Bristol Arts Trail
th
This ever-popular event returns on October the 16 and 17 th
for an exciting 3rd year. There is a new team at the helm and
despite operating in rather more straitened circumstances
than before, there is no lack of enthusiasm for the event by
its new organisers. Charles Glass, the Creative Director for
the Trail said: “We’re thrilled with the quality and variety of
the pieces this year. It’s a truly fantastic collection. Many
talented artists live and work in the area and I’m full of admi-
ration for those that are showing their work on the Trail.”
The third trail has more than 100 artists and makers exhibit-
ing in their homes, from Blackboy Hill down to the CREATE
Centre. Many are established artists, but the Trail is not just
about celebrating the successful, it also welcomes newcomers
and hopes to inspire visitors. Charles Glass again: “Exhibiting
art in homes is very different from viewing it in a gallery. The
Trail has a very special atmosphere, both for artists and visi-
tors and we’re hoping as many people as possible will come
along to enjoy it this year.”
Perhaps another nod to this ‘Recession Trail’ is that organis-
ers are encouraging visitors to walk the trail and have cre-
ated two routes. The northern route spans Blackboy Hill to
the zoo and the southern trail from Christchurch to the
CREATE Centre. However, these shouldn’t be adhered to
particularly strictly, as many unexpected delights are to be
found ‘off the track’ as it were, as Charles explains: “One of
the real joys of the Arts Trail is finding something unex-
pected. So take detours, and use the weekend to really ex-
plore the area. There’ll be red balloons marking all the ven-
GARY MARSHALL
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
40 YEARS TIME
SERVED ELECTRICIAN
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN
NIC EIC REGISTERED
T: 0117 927 3541
07799 252451
E: garydmarshall@yahoo.co.uk
6
ues, so take your time and see what you can discover.”
Extra venue maps, the two specially created routes, as well as
profiles of some of the artists taking part can all be found on
the Trail website: www.westbristolarts.com
Jayne Marshall
Workshops and courses at Create
Vegetable growing, Permaculture, aromatherapy, recycled
crafts and story telling are just some of the classes on offer at
Create’s new adult learning programme, organised in part-
nership with Bristol Libraries Adult Learning service. You can
also learn a language, find out about open source computing
or even taste organic wine! Classes take place on Monday
and Tuesday evenings, and there is also a range of Saturday
workshops. Term begins on 13 September and classes need
to be booked minimum 7 days in advance.
for the full programme and course details see:
www.bristol.gov.uk/adultlearning
Booking and enquiries via Adult Learning on 0117 903 8844.
Create is also pleased to announce a new evening course,
‘Make Your Home Eco’, in conjunction with The Green Reg-
ister (starts 5 October). The class takes place in the Eco-
home and is run by two experienced eco-renovators. For
more information and how to book see
www.createbristol.org email: create@bristol.gov.uk
Green Doors Open Day—Sep. 11th-12th
An exciting new initiative this year enables you to visit homes
throughout the City showcasing a range of measures includ-
ing insulation, draught proofing and low-energy lighting and
state of the art technologies such as solar thermal, solar PV,
rainwater harvesting and mechanical ventilation and heat re-
covery. All to give you ideas on meeting your own energy-
reduction targets in the housing sector which accounts for
27% of all carbon emissions. For further information see:
http://www.bristolgreendoors.org/
Hotwells Community e-forum
We now have an online forum dedicated to Hotwells &
Cliftonwood. It offers a way of raising and debating topics of
local interest which is more responsive (and possibly more
entertaining) than through the Newsletter or the website.
You can find the e-forum by following the link at
www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk or go directly to
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/bristol-hc
Sign up to help us to our target of 100 members by Xmas!
Events Diary
REMEMBER -YOU CAN ALWAYS CHECK FOR LATEST UPDATES TO
EVENTS HAPPENING IN HOTWELLS AT:
http://www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk/content/whats-on.html
To submit entries to go in the diary please e-mail:
admin@hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk

DIARY
Sat Sep. 10:00- Doors Open Day and various
11th-12th 16:00 Green Doors Open Day (see article p6)

Sat Sep. 10:00- Clifton Rocks Railway top station, Sion Hill (no
11th-12th 16:00 Open Day children under 14)
Tue Oct. 5th 19:00 Cabot, Clifton & Clifton The Pavilion
East Neighbourhood Part- Harbourside
nership Mtg.
Specialist in Floor Maintenance,
Sat Oct. 9th 19:30 Barn Dance with live Holy Trinity Church Carpets, Windows and Daily
band and licensed bar Clifton Vale Office Cleaning.
(tickets £10, concs £7, Fully Insured
includes Harvest Supper)
Tues Oct 19:30 Hotwells Park proposal upstairs at Spring Gardens
G. J. TREASURE
CLEANING CONTRACTORS
12th Public Meeting pub, Hotwell Rd.
(see article p4-5) 5 Britannia Buildings
Merchants Road
Wed Oct. 19:30 Hotwells & Clifton Local CREATE Centre Hotwells
13th History Soc.—‘Vagrant (see article below) Bristol BS8 4QD
Children of Bristol’
Tel: (0117) 9290578 Fax: 9144316
Sat-Sun Oct various
16th-17th (see article p6)
West Bristol Arts Trail
Mon Oct. 19:30 HCCA Trustees mtg. 3, Charles Place
18th

‘Vagrant Children of Bristol’

Nothing to do with a trip to Broad-
mead but the subject of the next His-
tory Society meeting on Wed. Oct.
13th. Shirley Hodgson will be talking
and making special mention of the In-
dustrial School which once stood on
Hotwell Rd. A £2.50 contribution in-
cludes a glass of wine or soft drink.
See Diary above for details.
creative hen party, help for a street
Paper Village party to make bunting and a team build-
A new shop and workshop has opened ing event.
at 200 North Street, BS3 1JF. Paper Vicky Harrison who runs Paper Village
Village sells arts and crafts materials, said “ It’s exciting to help people plan
delivers creative courses, runs “making their projects and I have met lots of
parties”, has a sewing machine for hire, interesting people who do everything
and sells gifts by local craftspeople. from remaking Barbie dolls to making
Many of the courses have a re-using balloon dresses !”
theme “Making a chandelier from junk”
or “Rag rug making”. Maybe you want If you want to know more visit
to make a board game, learn to knit, www.thepapervillage.co.uk and
Last year’s
experiment panto
with audience
drawing was off
or kick transfixed by the mesmerising
production.
download
Could it be your turn this year?
the latest programme and
your writing career. newsletter.
So far, making parties have included a
7
 celebrating 3 years!
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