Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature Reserve Draft

Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature reserve Draft

Signage and Interpretation Plan for Avon Valley Woodlands October 2011

Environmental Projects and Partnerships Asset Management Team, Environment and Community Services South Gloucestershire Council

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ...... 5 1.1 Introduction ...... 5 1.2 Aims and Objectives / Scope of this study ...... 5 1.3 Green Flag Comments on Signing and Interpretation ...... 6 1.4 Methodology ...... 6 1.5 Consultation ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2. AUDIT OF INTERPRETATION, ENTRANCES AND SIGNAGE ...... 8 2.1 Interpretation ...... 8 2.2 Site Entrances ...... 17 2.3 Signing ...... 18 3. AUDIENCE ...... 22 3.1 User Survey ...... 22 3.2. Audience Profile ...... 22 3.3 What are Visitor Expectations? ...... 24 4. INTERPRETIVE RESOURCES ...... 25 4.1 Interpretive Inventory ...... 25 4.1.1 General and Physical Features ...... 25 4.1.2 Built Environment and Human Activity ...... 26 4.1.3 Wildlife ...... 27 4.1.4 Geology ...... 28 4.1.5 Folklore and traditions ...... 28 4.2 Interpretive Significance ...... 28 5. INTERPRETIVE THEMES ...... 30 5.1 The Story Of The Avon Valley Woodlands ...... 30 5.2 What Are Themes? ...... 30 5.3 Core Theme ...... 30 5.4 Discussion of Potential Sub-themes ...... 31 5.5 Recommended Themes ...... 32 5.6 Interpretive Objectives ...... 36 6. INTERPRETIVE MEDIA RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 37 6.1 Communicating the Themes ...... 37 6.2 Recommendations for Interpretive Media ...... 38 6.2.1 Community Involvement ...... 38 6.2.2 ’Gateway’ Entrances ...... 38 6.2.3 Outdoor Interpretation Panels ...... 39 6.2.4 Publications ...... 40 6.2.5 Council Web Pages ...... 42 6.2.6 Public Art and Landmarks ...... 42 6.2.7 Person to Person Interpretation ...... 43

2 7. PROMOTIONAL / MARKETING TOOLS ...... 44 8. ENTRANCE AND SIGNING RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 45 8.1 Primary Entrances ...... 45 8.2 Secondary Entrances ...... 47 8.3 Relevant Guidance on Signing ...... 47 8.3.1 Interpretation and Signing for People with Disabilities ...... 47 8.4 Signing Objectives ...... 48 8.5 Signing Recommendations ...... 49 8.5.1 Primary and Secondary Entrance Signing ...... 49 8.5.2 Municipal Signage ...... 50 8.5.3 Internal Directional Signing ...... 50 8.5.4 External Signage ...... 51 8.5.5 Promoted Routes ...... 52 9. ACTION PLAN ...... 53 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 55

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Audit of Signage and Interpretation – Map and Spreadsheet. Appendix 2: Questionnaire - Analysis of Survey Result Copy of blank questionnaire. Appendix 3: Location Plan – External Brown Signs. Appendix 4: Plan of Primary and Secondary Site Entrances.

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report sets out a co-ordinated framework for the signage and interpretation for the Avon Valley Woodlands. It makes a number of recommendations which are designed to improve the welcoming, signage, interpretation and promotion of the site.

An audit of site interpretation, entrances and signage was carried out in December 2010 and this highlighted a number of areas for improvement. An audience profile for the Avon Valley Woodlands was also developed and this discovered a very wide and diverse range of users.

An interpretive inventory was carried out to identify what is special and significant about the Avon Valley Woodlands. In addition a questionnaire survey of users was undertaken to ascertain how much people already knew about the site, how interested they were in particular interpretive themes and their reaction to different types of interpretative media. This work underpinned the development of interpretive core and sub-themes for the Avon Valley Woodlands. The core theme was identified as: -

• Shaped by the river, transformed by people, healed by nature.

Six sub-themes were also identified for active interpretation in a variety of media including outdoor panels, leaflets and other published media, web sites, public art and landmarks and a range of person to person interpretation. The sub-themes were as follows:

• People used to live and work in the woodlands. • The Avon Valley Woodlands is important for trees and other plants and animals. • The Avon Valley Woodlands contains important transport routes from past and present. • The Avon Valley Woodlands has been shaped by quarrying, coal mining and industrial workings. • Conham River Park was once the site of a large hall and farm. • The Avon Valley Woodlands is important for its geology.

A comprehensive signing plan was developed by identifying a hierarchy of entrances to the woodlands. Conham River Park, Castle Farm Road and Hanham Lock were identified as particularly important ‘gateways’ to the woodlands and enhancement schemes are recommended to make them more welcoming and inviting. A total of 18 signs are recommended for replacement at secondary entrances and there are also recommendations to improve internal and external signage along with municipal signage and promoted routes.

At the end of this report an action plan is presented to prioritise the recommendations. The next step will be to fully cost up the proposals and secure the necessary funding to begin implementing the recommendations.

4 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

The Avon Valley Woodlands is an extensive area of wooded valley stretching from Conham River Park to Hanham Lock. The woodlands are under multiple ownership with upwards of twenty separate owners. South Gloucestershire Council owns around 50% of the woodland and in 2005 it designated land under its ownership as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). The Council and privately owned woodlands are served by a well developed network of public rights of way and the area is accessible to people living locally in Hanham and Kingswood, and residents across Bristol and Bath. The woodlands lie along the western bank of the River Avon and form part of an important green corridor that links urban areas with the surrounding countryside.

The site has a wealth of natural, industrial and cultural heritage, which over the last few decades, has been interpreted through a series of different initiatives and community based projects. Many of these have taken place in the last 7 years through the Council’s ‘Wildspaces’, ‘Wild Roots’ and ‘Wildways’ projects which were part funded by the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery Fund.

A management plan developed for the site in 2003 recommended the development of a “comprehensive interpretation plan, identifying the existing and potential audiences, the themes to be interpreted, and a range of suitable media and events”. A signing and interpretation plan is required to provide a co-ordinated framework for all future interpretation initiatives and projects.

1.2 Aims and Objectives / Scope of this study

There are two aims for the Signing and Interpretation Plan: -

• To provide a co-ordinated approach to site information and interpretation • To enhance the enjoyment of existing users and encourage wider use of the park.

Specific objectives for producing the plan are that it should include: -

• A broad brush review of existing signage to Avon Valley Woodlands park and signage/interpretation within the woodlands. • Clarify key users of the site and identify any gaps. • Clarify/identify a new identity for the Avon valley Woodlands – identify a common thread that could draw together its range of functions to underpin signage, interpretation and marketing. • Check identity/common thread with existing users through consultation. • Propose a common thread for signing / interpretation which includes how to get there; how to get around the woodlands and what is there of interest to see and do in the woodlands.

5 • For each element of the plan provide a set of guidelines that define its purpose, location(s), appropriate level/type of information and accessibility criteria – sufficient to brief a designer for production at some future date. • Recommend key topics/themes for physical and intellectual interpretation including the biodiversity, historical/cultural associations – ‘something of interest for all’. • Recommend appropriate promotional and marketing tools.

1.3 Green Flag Comments on Signing and Interpretation

In 2009 the Council unsuccessfully applied for a Green Flag award for the site. The feedback from the Green Flag judges recommended the following in respect of marketing and interpretation: -

• Broaden scope of marketing especially to interest groups in Bath & Bristol. • Conham River Park - Signing from the main road could be more prominent, consider size of sign & pointer from main road • Give more information regarding disabled access and address inaccessible areas. • Good signage at entrance and very good leaflet • Improve interpretation on site. Develop more contacts with schools and produce learning material for teachers. Broaden scope of marketing to local communities

These issues will be addressed in this plan.

1.4 Methodology

The methodology for the production of the Signing and Interpretation Plan was as follows: -

Stage 1: Scoping and Familiarisation

A project plan for the development of the Signage and Interpretation Plan was agreed amongst South Gloucestershire officers, including aims and objectives, outputs, benefits and methodology. An officer start up meeting was held in December 2010.

Stage 2: Desk Research

Officers reviewed all existing background documents relating to AVW, including existing and past management plans, ecological survey reports, previous consultations, and all interpretive leaflets, walks guides and documentation that could be sourced. Details are provided in the report bibliography.

6 Stage 3: Interpretive and Signing Audit

An audit of existing signage and interpretation was conducted in August and December 2010.

Stage 4: Development of an Interpretive Inventory

An ‘Interpretive Site Inventory’ was developed. This is a planning tool to identify the significant or special features of the AVW; who the target audience is and what the ‘story’ of the AVW is, along with draft themes for interpretation.

Stage 5: Consultation – Meetings with Key Stakeholders

Officers arranged a consultation meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the interpretive inventory, explore existing interpretation and signage in AVW and provide a clearer understanding of audiences, existing issues and problems, and to discuss possible themes for new interpretation and signage.

Stage 6: Consultation with Site Users

A questionnaire was developed to test the views of site users. The purpose was to find out how much people already knew about the AVW, how interested they were in the draft themes and their reaction to different types of interpretive media.

Stage 7: Development of Draft Signing and Interpretive Plan

A draft Signing and Interpretive Plan was developed for consultation.

Stage 8: Production of Final Signing and Interpretive Plan

A final report with recommendations and costings, taking into account feedback from the consultation.

7 2. AUDIT OF INTERPRETATION, ENTRANCES AND SIGNAGE

An audit of Avon Valley Woodlands interpretation and signage was carried out in August and December 2010. Each item of signing and interpretation infrastructure was photographed and its condition and location noted. The results of the audit are contained in Appendix 1. The information collected during the audit is analysed below.

2.1 Interpretation

Analysis of the audit information revealed a significant amount of interpretive facilities. The following interpretive media was identified.

Interpretation Panels: There are seven panels in the Avon Valley Woodlands as follows: -

Conham River Park

Car Park Panel – This panel is relatively new and in good condition. The panel is mounted on bespoke wooden frame and legs made from locally sourced timber. The panel has an attractive design; however there is too much text. The panel includes a map of Conham River Park and includes information on the following: -

• A welcome to the area • A Rich Heritage – text on the river as a power supply and transport route, the copper industry, candle making, quarrying of pennant sandstone. • Accidental Hero – Story of John Chiddy. • Text and photo relating Conham Ferry and Beeses Tea Gardens • Information and photos relating to birds, bats and butterflies • Branding - Logos from South Glos Council, HLF Wild Roots, Natural England, Forestry Commission.

Avon Walkway Panel – This metal panel is fixed to the stone wall of the picnic area next to the River Avon Trail. The panel is out of date and in extremely poor condition. It contains information on the following:

• Title - ‘Walks Beside the River Avon and its Tributary Valleys Bristol’ • Map – Showing crossing points over the Avon • Avon Walkway symbol • Line diagrams of various pedestrian crossing points. • Text describing the route • Branding – Avon Walkway and Bristol Civic Society

The panel was one of a number placed along the ‘Avon Walkway’ by the Bristol Civic Society.

8 River Avon Trail Panel 1 – This is one of a series of panels provided by the Avon Frome Partnership with Heritage Lottery Funding in 2004. It is located next to the river in front of the car park at Conham River Park and is mounted on bespoke wooden frame and legs made from locally sourced timber. The panel contains the following information: -

• Title – River Avon Trail • A map of the River Avon Trail, with Conham River Park inset map • A geological cross section diagram of the river valley • Text about Conham Hall and monkey puzzle tree • Text about the Baptists and persecution • Text about the coal, copper and brass industries • Text about the development of Conham River Park • Text about fish in the river and images of different species of fish. • River Avon Trail website address. • Branding - Contains Avon Frome Partnership and River Avon Trail Logo and lists partner organisations.

The panel contains far too much text and attempts to interpret a multitude of different topics. There are no clear themes to attract the attention of panel readers.

River Avon Trail Panel 2 – This is one of a series of panels provided by the Avon Frome Partnership with Heritage Lottery Funding in 2004. It is located close to the Conham Ferry crossing point and is mounted on bespoke wooden frame and legs made from locally sourced timber. The panel contains the following information: -

• Title – River Avon Trail • A map of the River Avon Trail, with Conham River Park inset map • Text about the Avon Valley Woodlands • Text about Eastwood Farm • Text about the coal, copper and brass industries • Text and images of trees / leaves. • River Avon Trail website address. • Branding - Contains Avon Frome Partnership and River Avon Trail Logo and lists partner organisations.

The panel contains a considerable amount of text and attempts to interpret a multitude of different topics. It is difficult to identify one clear theme. The panel has been in situ for over 5 years and is in good condition.

Ssssshhh Bats Sleeping Panel – This panel was recently installed using Aggregates Levy funding from Natural England. The panel is mounted on a metal frame and legs and is in good condition. The panel contains the following information: -

9 • Title - Ssssshhh Bats Sleeping • Photograph of Lesser Horseshoe bat. • Text – relating to the cavern and suitability as a bat roost. • Braille – embossed onto surface of the panel. • Branding – Natural England’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, South Glos Council

This is a well designed and effective interpretation panel with an easily understood theme, attractive image and the correct amount of text. The surface of the panel was found to have bird mess and sticky sycamore tree residues, so regular cleaning will be important considering that it contains Braille.

Riverside Cottages to Hanham Lock

Geology Panel – This panel has been in place for a number of years and is in very poor condition. The panel is very difficult to read due to graffiti and debris between the perspex cover and the panel. The panel is mounted on a sandstone outcrop next to the ring road bridge. A cycle path runs past the panel, however few pedestrians venture by. The panel contains the following information: -

• Title - 300 Million Years Ago. • Black and white line diagram of plants and animals 300m yrs ago. • Text on formation of sandstone • Branding - Several logos. Geological Association. B&NES. SGC. Sustrans, British Naturalists Society.

The panel has an unappealing design and too much text in one font type. The panel has a limited audience due to its location and poor condition.

River Avon Trail Panel 3 – This is one of a series of panels provided by the Avon Frome Partnership with Heritage Lottery Funding in 2004. It is located in front of the Chequers Inn at Hanham Lock and is mounted on bespoke wooden frame and legs made from locally sourced timber. The panel contains the following information: -

• Title – River Avon Trail • A map of the River Avon Trail, with Conham River Park inset map • Hanham and its links to the history of the River Avon • History of the Avon Navigation • Quarrying • Bath asparagus • A Tale of Two Stones – use of pennant sandstone and bath stone in local buildings • Fish – with illustrations • Kennet and Avon canal – text about history of canal • Londonderry Wharf – text about link to Dramway

10 • Illustrations of horse drawn barge, dram cart, heron, dragon fly. • Photos x 3

The panel contains far too much text and also attempts to interpret a multitude of different topics. There are no clear themes to attract the attention of panel readers and the panel interprets things that cannot be seen by the reader – i.e. Londonderry Wharf and building constructed from pennant sandstone and Bath stone.

The three River Avon Trail panels have an attractive design; however their wordy and over-complicated content and lack of clear themes could reduce their impact and deter many users from investing time in reading them. All three panels are in good condition; however one panel had to be replaced a few years ago following vandalism, and be re-sited.

Leaflets / Booklets: There area 3 leaflets available that interpret the Avon Valley Woodlands, its heritage and history, access and its facilities. They are:

Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature Reserve – produced by South Gloucestershire Council in 2006.

• Full colour, A3 leaflet (folded DL) with map of site at a good quality large-scale showing main access points and facilities including parking areas, toilets, bus stops, pubs, BBQ area, walks and promoted paths. • Good clear type face with text easy to read against light back ground. • Historic map (1610) • Quarrying • Coal mining • Powder house • Wild Service Tree • Accidental Hero • Historic Hanham • Hanham Lock • Things to look for – red pennant sandstone, wild service tree berries, copper smelter ruins, monkey puzzle, black coping stones. • Text about the reserve • Woodland wildlife • All new and beautiful – text re 1836 holiday makers and his view of area

Text details the history of the area, notable stories regarding local people, wildlife and what to see / look out for at the site. The leaflet does not include a clear overall theme, although this may be ‘A Rich Heritage’, which is listed as a sub-title.

The leaflet also has detailed access information including pedestrian, bike, bus and parking information, with specific detail for disabled users. It also includes information on how to volunteer and become a Friend of Hanham

11 Woods. The leaflet was highly regarded by Green Flag judges when assessing the site.

Avon Valley Woodlands Heritage Walks Produced by South Gloucestershire Council Walk to Health team in 2007 as part of a series of Walks to Health Heritage Walks booklets for sites in South Gloucestershire.

• Full colour, A3 leaflet (folded into DL). • Cover provides basic summary of walk start/finish, buses, parking, refreshments and toilets. • Easy to follow map shows choice of two routes at a large scale and choice of longer / shorter walk instructions. • Text includes a simple list of points of interest lettered A – F, with corresponding letters marked on the plan, Riverside Cottages, River Avon Trail, Great Western Railway, Heron Colony, Hencliff Woods, Quarries. • Good clear type face with text easy to read against light back ground. Provides clear instruction for walkers, particularly regarding conditions at wet times of the year. • Colour photos and historical black and white photos. • Good list of web links / additional information on back cover.

River Avon Trail Booklet – produced by the Avon Frome Partnership.

• Detailed promoted walk booklet for the 23 mile River Avon Trail, DL size. • Full colour. • Includes one page description of the Avon Valley Woodlands. • Good quality, clear with route maps. • Maps show main access points and facilities including parking areas, toilets, bus stops and pubs.

Conham River Park Trail Booklet- Out of print, produced in 1981 by Kingswood District Council.

• 19 page black and white booklet, with green cover, A5 size. • Describes 1.5km walk with points of interest. • Information on disabled access • Conham Sewage Works • Buddleia bushes • Butterflies • Refuse tip • Trees found • Monkey Puzzle • Conham Hall • Copper slag stones • Plants and fungi • Copper smelting and ruins

12 • Hanham Colliery • Birds • Persecuted Baptists • John Chiddy • 2 x historic maps • Produced with aid of Bristol Naturalists Society

Other publications

The Monarch's Way. Book 2: Stratford-upon-Avon to Charmouth. 210 miles. ISBN 1 869922 28 X. 136 pages, 21 photographs and 23 maps. £6.95 (UK)

The publication makes reference to Conham River and Car Park and describes the section as a ‘delightful riverside walk’. No other details included.

Foul Deeds & Suspicious Deaths in & Around Bristol. Veronica Smith. 2006. ISBN: 1845630130. A chapter in this publication describes a murder in Hencliff Woods in May 1935. It also describes a community of smallholders that lived in the woodlands in small dwellings, existing as pig farmers and keeping fowl. The homes had names such as The Nook, Woodbine Cottage and Rose Cottage and one couple had a little shop next to the river “selling cigarettes, sweets, lemonade and cockles to passers-by”. The residents were re-housed by Kingswood Council around the time it acquired the land in the 1970s.

Audio Projects

Bat Audio Trail

The South Gloucestershire Council's Wild Roots and Wildways Projects developed four award winning Bat Audio Trails across South Gloucestershire. These enable local people to find out about bats and other wildlife on their doorstep. One of the Bat Audio Trails is located in Conham River Park.

The trails have been developed by the Council’s Environmental Projects team in partnership with Avon Bat Group, the South Gloucestershire Disability Action Group, the Bat Conservation Trust, Avon Wildlife Trust, the Breakthrough project and Kayto Sound.

Trail packs, including bat detectors and information are available from local libraries with information about the route, bats you are likely to see and a brief history of the site. The general information guide for all four trails is available to download from the Council’s website.

There is an accompanying audio CD guide disc for each trail in the library packs which guides visitors around each trail with further information about the wildlife, history and bat species likely to be found. The CD audio guide

13 enables the trails to be accessible for the Visually Impaired and the library information pack and site way mark posts contain information in Braille.

Each walk takes about an hour to complete and ranges from three-quarters of a mile to nearly one-and-a-half miles in length. The routes follow a specially waymarked trail around each site which has a glow in the dark and braille disk to help you find your way around at dusk.

The trails have been funded thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Big Lottery Fund and the Access to Nature Fund which is managed by Natural England.

There is a webpage on the Council’s website describing the project and how to access the various resources. www.southglos/gov.uk/bataudiotrail

Audio ‘Story Box’

An audio ‘story box’ is located in Conham River Park, on the tarmac path from the car park to the River Avon Trail. This consists of a wind up mechanism that provides power to play eight stories which last two minutes each. The project to produce the stories was funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund and employed Ruth Coleman, a local consultant. The stories reflect the landscape and cultural heritage of the area and involved a number of key people to gain their stories and reflections. Hanham Abbots Primary School was involved in the project and the children undertook many of the interviews. The stories included on the box are as follows: -

1. The woods – introduction to natural environment of the area 2. Detectives – children asking people to look out for natural things whilst on their visit 3. Trees are good for the climate – Jim Fry talking about carbon capture etc 4. Local stone – stories of the quarrying industry 5. Spooks and spies – a story about female spies in WW2 6. John Chiddy – a local hero; the tragic story retold 7. A rock and poem – children reciting poetry about the falling rock and John Chiddy. 8. Childhood memories – Paul Hulbert recounts playing in the woods during his childhood

The story box is an excellent and interactive way of engaging people in learning about the special features and stories of the area, however it requires regular maintenance and there have been problems with breakdowns and malfunctions.

South Gloucestershire Council Web Page: http://www.southglos.gov.uk/NR/exeres/4c818de9-fe4c-457c-9f1a- d8419ea3ff17

14 A webpage for the Avon Valley Woodlands can be found on the Council’s website. This includes the following information: -

• A riverside woodland for all: general introduction to the woodlands • Access for all: a description of the accessible path around Conham River Park and other facilities such as the car park and toilets • A rich heritage: summary of the heritage interest • Join in the fun: where to get information about events and activities • Become a friend: how to join the Friends Group • Whilst you’re there look for: list of features of interest • Getting there: transport information • Additional information

There are links to the River Avon Trail and BBC Breathing Spaces websites, and links to other nature reserve pages and the Bat Audio Trail webpage.

Unfortunately the webpage does not include downloads of the LNR and Heritage Walk leaflets. The webpage provides a good overall background of the Avon Valley Woodlands, however additional information is required, for example a location plan, site plan with main access points and more focussed advice on accessible routes for people with disabilities.

A google search on Avon Valley Woodlands places the Councils webpage as the first entry in the results list.

Forest of Avon Webpage (http://www.forestofavon.org.uk/out-and- about/places-to-visit/avon-valley-woodlands)

The Forest of Avon Web site includes a page on the Avon Valley Woodlands. This includes the following information:-

• Avon Valley Woodland: General introduction and description. • Access. • Getting there. • Get involved. • Leaflet and map. • The Countryside Code. • A full colour map showing the LNR boundaries. • Links to South Glos Council and Natural England websites (please note that the latter links to Crackley Woods in Warwickshire).

BBC Breathing Spaces Website.

This site contains some basic information including a location plan, and a link to a South Gloucestershire officer email to request further information,

Local Journeys Webpage (http://lj.bittern.org.uk/journey/avon-valley- woodlands)

Local Journeys is a website containing a compendium of places to celebrate and discover in the West of England – short ‘trips out’ to publicly accessible places – there and back in a day or a few hours. It includes a walk through the Avon Valley Woodlands close to Hanham. This circular walk takes the walker along the River Avon past Riverside Cottages before cutting into deep woodland. The webpage includes a map / aerial photograph of the route and information on public transport and facilities.

Events and Activities: A significant number of public events and activities have been held to promote learning and participation in the Avon Valley Woodlands over the last seven years. The Council’s Autumn programme of activities usually includes a bat walk and owl prowl event. The Council’s Walk to Health team also organises health walks in the woodlands.

The Council’s current Wildways project (funded by Big Lottery through Natural England) is hosting activities over the period 2009 – 2012, including a riverside festival which will be focused on Conham River Park.

Artworks / sculptures / other structures:

Graffiti Arts Project: In 2005 members of Hanham Youth Club created a colourful mural on a section of concrete retaining wall for the sewage pipeline, as part of a Forest of Avon Project. The design was generated by members of the group following a ‘woodland experience’ that saw the group also make two rustic benches from an old oak tree. The project featured on local news as part of the ‘clear up your neighbourhood campaign’. The mural has since been over-painted with graffiti; this was expected as the mural was a temporary artwork in the graffiti tradition.

Timber shelter project: In 2007 Hanham Youth Club worked on a project under the guidance of Touchwood to construct a shelter and seating from locally sourced materials as part of the South Gloucestershire Council / Heritage Lottery Fund Wild Roots project. The shelter provides seating for people waiting for the weekend summer ferry to Beeses’ tea gardens on the opposite side of the river. The shelter is still in good condition and has not attracted any vandalism to date. A perspex A3 notice provides information on the ferry service to the tea gardens.

Disabled Access fishing platforms: In 2007/8 South Gloucestershire Council worked in partnership with local community groups to improve access and facilities at the Avon Valley Woodlands LNR. Part of this work focused on proposals to improve facilities for anglers, especially those who are disabled. Following guidelines produced by the Environment Agency and consultation with local groups, two fully accessible fishing platforms where installed within the bank at Conham River Park

16 Both platforms are made from tropical hardwood (green heartwood) reclaimed from previous use in the dockyards. The platforms include a rail on three sides to protect anglers from the waters edge.

A local artist worked with pupils from Hanham High School and the Disability Angling Club to develop text and images relating to fishing which were then routed into the timber platforms and rails.

2.2 Site Entrances

There are a number of entrances to the Avon Valley Woodland. The audit revealed that a hierarchy of entrances could be identified based on usage and links to the surrounding areas of Conham and Hanham. The entrances are shown on plan 3 (appendix 4) and they are classified as follows: -

Primary Entrances: Entrances demonstrating high levels of use with prominent links to the site from existing car parks and highways. Entrances are accessible to most people:-

These are shown as green on plan 3 (appendix 4), and numbered as follows:-

1. Conham River Park - includes fully accessible path to River Avon Trail and disabled fishing platforms. 2. Castle Farm Road Car Park – good access on paths from car park, however routes into woodland not fully accessible. 3. Hanham Lock – access along River Avon Trail from the Chequers Pub Car Park .

Secondary Park Entrances: Entrances that are used by people who live locally or know the woodlands well. Accessibility limits level of use for many people.

These are shown as red on plan 3 (appendix 4) , and numbered as follows:-

1. Pedestrian access to River Avon Trail off Conham Road. 2. Pedestrian access on bridle path at bottom of Conham Hill. 3. Conham Hill - top of 100 Steps. 4. Conham Hill – access to Panorama Walk and open space at Hawksworth Drive / Dean Close. 5. Access to Panorama Walk from Playing Field at rear of Churchward Close. 6. Pedestrian entrance from Lime Road. 7. Access to woodland / Panorama Walk from Hawkworth Drive adjacent industrial buildings. 8. Pedestrian entrance off Memorial Road. 9. Entrance off Common Road. 10. Pedestrian entrance off Hanham Common playing fields (rear of Avon View).

17 11. Water Lane to rear of Bickley Close, adjacent Castle Farm Road Car Park. 12. Pedestrian entrance to Water Lane from Riverside Way. 13. Pedestrian entrance to Water Lane from Hencliff Way. 14. Footpath to Bickley Wood North from Castle Farm Road - entrance on footpath PHA/17/10. 15. Bickley Woods north, entrance to woods on footpath PHA/16/10 from public house on Abbots Road. 16. Bickley Woods North – entrance to woods on footpath PHA/18/10 from ring road cycle path. 17. East side ring road bridge on PHA/19/20. 18. West side of ring road bridge on footpath PHA/41x/20.

In addition the Avon Valley Woodlands can be accessed via the ferry crossing from Beeses’ Tea Gardens at Eastwood Farm. This is not marked as a separate entrance as it only operates in the summer.

At present a number of the secondary entrance points to the Avon Valley Woodlands are not well defined, which can weaken connections between the site and its surroundings.

2.3 Signing

The audit revealed a variety of different types of signage. Some of the signs have been in place for many years, others are more recent additions. The signs are branded in various ways, as revealed in the list below (this does not include logos on interpretation panels).

• River Avon • River Avon Trail • Avon Walkway • Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature Reserve • Avon Valley Woodlands • Avon Valley • Monarch’s Way • Panorama Walk • Easy Access • Bat Audio Trail • Woodland Welcome • Streetcare • Kingswood Borough Council • South Gloucestershire Council • Bristol City Council • Public Rights of way • Permissive Paths

Although the multiplicity of brandings is not particularly confusing for people accessing the woodlands some of it is out of date (for example Kingswood

18 Borough Council and Avon Walkway) and requires rationalisation and updating.

The audit identified a number of different types of signs that can categorised as follows:-

Off-Site Directional signage

There are four brown tourism-style road signs providing directions from the surrounding network to the Avon Valley Woodlands (Conham River Park and Castle Farm entrances).

Avon Valley Woodlands LNR entrance signs

Attractive larch Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature Reserve signs are located at the following key entrance points to the LNR – River Avon Trail junction with Conham Road; Conham River Park, Castle Farm car park and a public footpath entrance to Bickley Woods.

River Avon Trail Signage

A number of years ago the Avon Frome Partnership changed the name of the former Avon Walkway to the River Avon Trail. This was to reflect the fact that horse riders and cyclists can ride on certain sections. The name of the route has also been updated on relevant OS maps. In 2004 a number of signposts were erected to brand the route and improve directional signage, with the agreement of the Avon Frome Partnership. The signs installed were as follows: -

• Cast Iron signposts – at Conham River Park and Chequers pub, with River Avon Trail and logo on finial. Cast iron fingers with directions to Bristol and Bath, Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature Reserve and River Avon Trail.

• Oak Finger posts – Originally located at eleven key path junctions on the River Avon Trail. One sign was stolen and others have been damaged and require repair/replacement.

Monarch’s Way Signage

Monarch’s Way waymarker stickers and rectangular brown plastic plaques with white text can be found at various points where the route follows the River Avon Trail. The stickers and plaques have been attached to public footpath waymarkers and signposts and other structures.

Panorama Walk Signage

19 There is one white metal sign with black lettering to sign the Panorama Walk. This includes the words Avon Valley Park and River Tow Path.

Public Right of Way Signage

There is a variety of signing on public rights of way: -

• Signposts with metal posts and plastic fingers (white on green background). • Old metal footpath finger signs, X 2 – green with white lettering. • Wooden waymarker posts with standard yellow footpath waymarkers and permissive path waymarkers attached (green on white background). • Waymarkers attached to fence posts and other structures. • Bridleways - a number of large circular white bridlepath waymarkers with blue directional arrows and black horse shoe exist. These are augmented by a number of blue arrows roughly painted onto the sides of trees.

Directional signing along footpaths and bridleways was found to be generally good; however some signposts and waymarkers posts are broken or damaged and should be replaced.

Municipal Warning Signs & Other Signs

There are a wide variety of signs providing instructions and warnings to the public; these include: -

• Avon Valley - Caution Horses / No motorcycles or guns. • No driving sticker. • No motorcycling sign (SGC Streetcare sign). • South Gloucestershire Council and Logo. Strictly no motorcycles or guns in these woods. • Kingswood Borough Council. No motorcycling or guns. • Parking instructions at Conham River Park: Large metal sign red and white with blue parking ‘P’s. Information on car park opening hours and fee for release after hours. • Motorcycling strictly prohibited. • Bristol City Council warning sign regarding conditions of RAT surface for all users. • Danger signs warning of steep quarry edges erected by private land owners. • Warning – deep water / no swimming. • Clean up after your dog. • Dog fouling signs – fine/info – SGC. • Castle Farm Car Park – closing time – white plastic with red lettering.

Bat Audio Trail

The Bat Audio Trail consists of wooden waymarker posts with fluorescent discs to help people find their way around at dusk. Some posts include numbers to correspond with audio information and the discs are embossed with braille. A large proportion of the discs required cleaning due to accumulations of bird mess; this would be an unpleasant experience for visually impaired people attempting to read the Braille.

Out of Date & Unauthorised Signage

A small number of municipal instruction signs date back to Kingswood Borough Council stating ‘no motorbikes or guns, warden patrolling’.

Several directional metal finger posts referencing Panorama Walk, Avon Valley Park, River Avon Tow Path exist in varying states of disrepair.

Several un-official ‘home made’ signs have appeared, often providing basic bus route information and directions to shops in the form of a metal white painted arrow with black text. These have been fixed to trees and existing signposts.

Overview of Current Signage

The existing signing provision is reasonably comprehensive however there are a number of shortcomings as follows: -

• There is a lack coherence and planning, particularly with the municipal signage. • Some of the branding on the signage is out of date, including references to authorities that are no longer in existence. • Directional signage should be improved so that visitors know where they are and can find their way to the primary and secondary entrances, and local facilities and bus routes. • Maintenance and replacement of signing needs to be carried out on a more regular basis (subject to resources). • Green Flag judges recommended signing improvements to the Conham River Park entrance and more information regarding disabled access. • Off-site signage is limited to four brown road signs.

The 2011 Signing and Interpretation Questionnaire (see appendix 2) demonstrated that the majority of site users surveyed (74%) regard existing site signage as average or good, however 19% thought it was poor or very poor. It would appear that the existing signage is adequate but improvements should be made.

3. AUDIENCE

It is important that interpretation and signing for the Avon Valley Woodlands is responsive to visitor needs. Before signing and interpretation recommendations can be developed it is important to identify who the audience is and what their needs are. A user survey was undertaken to gather this information.

3.1 User Survey

A sample of eighty eight visitors were questioned over two days (Friday 28th January and Sunday 6th February). Members of the public were interviewed at the three primary entrances to the woodlands (Conham River Park, Castle Farm Car Park and Hanham Mill). Both days were cold but dry. It was not possible to take a stratified random sample of the public due to the woodlands being lightly used on the survey days.

An analysis of the signing and interpretation questionnaire can be found in Appendix 2 along with an example questionnaire.

3.2. Audience Profile

The majority of survey responses came from the 41–65 and over 65 age groups (total 73%). The 26-40 age class accounted for 21% of respondents. The survey under-represented the views of younger people (under 26) with no respondents under the age of 15 and only 6% of respondents in the 16-25 age class. This could be as a result of the time of year and that one of the survey days was a school day. The results should therefore be treated with a level of caution; however we believe that they offer a reasonable snapshot of woodland user’s opinion. Despite the under-representation of the youngest age classes we know that the target audience for signing and interpretation is a diverse group and includes all age groups

The questionnaire revealed that around two thirds of people (65%) visit the woodlands once a week or more. 15% of people visit the woodlands very occasionally (once per year or less). The survey also revealed that 95% of visitors spend over 30mins in the woodlands with 69% of people spending over one hour. This indicates that most people spend a significant portion of time in the woodlands, with approximately one third of people visiting for over one and half hours.

Nearly two thirds of visitors (62%) were local people, living within 2 miles of the site. Nearly one third of people were from slightly further afield (2-5 miles) with only a small proportion (7%) travelling more than 5 miles to the woodlands. The main target audience is therefore local people rather than

22 visitors from outside the area. A significant proportion of visitors (37%) were from the Bristol City Council administrative area.

One third of people visiting the woodlands came on their own and one third came with other family members. Only 8% of visitors came with children; again, this may be a reflection of the time of year and that one day of the survey was a school day.

The audience identified above is wide and diverse, and it is important that interpretation and signing is able to connect with all categories of site user. It is important to remember that we will be providing something for people’s leisure time and not because they want to come to the Avon Valley Woodlands to study its history and special features. To do this the following information is required: -

What are they expecting?

People visiting the Avon Valley Woodlands, above all else, expect peace and quiet. The key words from visitors’ comments on what they enjoyed best about the Avon Valley Woodlands were peace, quiet, walking, fresh air, scenery and wildlife - this is what they are expecting. They visit the woodlands to relax and enjoy the tranquillity and wildlife of a wooded river valley landscape, to exercise, to walk either on their own or with friends and family and to walk their dogs.

It should be noted that the expectations of younger people are under- represented and should be examined though additional targeted surveys.

What do they already know about the place?

The user survey revealed that: -

• People were generally well informed about the history and special features of the Avon Valley Woodlands. • Most people know that the woodlands are designated as a Local Nature Reserve. • Most people knew that the woodlands contain the remains of buildings associated with old industries and that the area had been extensively quarried in the past. • Nearly all knew the importance of the river as a transport route in the past and that the valley forms a green corridor running into Bristol. • People were also well informed in regards that the railway line was built by Brunel. • People were not well informed about signs of Roman activity being found in the woodlands or its links to the religious persecution of the Baptists. • Approximately half of respondents knew that Conham River Park was the former site of a large hall and farm.

What do visitors think about existing interpretation?

23 • People were generally aware of the existing interpretations boards, with half having previously read one or more of the boards. There was a 50/50 split between a desire for more panels or keeping the existing amount. • The most widely read publication was the River Avon Trail booklet with only a small proportion of visitors having read the LNR and Heritage Walks leaflets. An overwhelming majority stated they would be interested in reading the leaflets if more widely available. • Most people would be interested in web information and downloading materials, however only 15% of people had looked at the Council’s website. • A significant proportion of visitors have used the story box at Conham River Park, indicating that interactive forms of interpretation are popular. • Over half the visitors were aware of the Bat Audio Trail, however only 9% have used it. At first sight this seems a low number however this requires users making the effort to loan a pack from local libraries, so 9% is a healthy number if replicated across the local population.

3.3 What are Visitor Expectations?

Analysis of the 2011 Signing and Interpretation Questionnaire has revealed the following visitor expectations.

• Visitors wish to know where they are: There was almost unanimous support for maps of the woodlands to be placed at site entrances.

• Where they can go? The majority (74%) of people thought the existing signage was average or good, however 19% thought it was poor or very poor. It would appear that the existing signage is adequate but improvements should be made.

• What can they do? Visitors were generally of the opinion that all main facilities and/or points of interest should be signed. The River Avon Trail and woodland exit points received the highest scores, followed closely by toilets, pubs, Panorama Walk and Beeses’ Tea Gardens.

• Finding out more: Around two thirds of visitors are interested in finding out more information about the Avon Valley Woodlands, and would read/use interpretative media about the woodlands. The most popular themes were wildlife, the history of the valley and what it used to look like, and the stories of people who lived and worked there.

The signing and interpretation recommendations set out in this report will seek to meet the above expectations. It is necessary to meet these expectations before visitors can take an interest in what we want to tell them about the ‘specialness’ of the place.

4. INTERPRETIVE RESOURCES

Before identifying what interpretive resources exist in the park it is worth considering what ‘interpretation’ actually means. There are numerous definitions; however the following seems to capture its essence.

“Interpretation enriches our lives through engaging emotions, enhancing experiences and deepening understanding of people, places, events and objects from the past and present.” (Association for Heritage Interpretation 2005).

Interpretation focuses on what is special or unique about a place and helps people to appreciate this. It is therefore important to develop a common understanding of what is significant about the Avon Valley Woodlands by carrying out an audit of its features and drawing on the views of local people.

Following a review of existing site interpretation and consultation with South Gloucestershire Council officers a draft Interpretive Site Inventory was prepared. This identified the special features of the Avon Valley Woodlands and was used to develop a questionnaire to ascertain the views of park users.

4.1 Interpretive Inventory

The interpretive inventory records the features and experiences that are special about the Avon Valley Woodlands – general and physical features, built environment and human activity, wildlife, geology and folklore and traditions. This information underpins the development of interpretive themes and messages.

4.1.1 General and Physical Features

What are the special of unique features of the Avon Valley Woodlands?

• Copper smelting / industrial building ruins. • Trees – Wild service / oaks / large area of continuous woodland. • River Avon / green corridor leading into the heart of Bristol. • Conham River Park. • Wildlife. • Panorama Walk. • River Avon Trail. • Brunel railway. • Kennet and Avon canal (start of). • Bat Audio Trail. • Toilets / car park / BBQ area.

What are the dominant or eye catching features?

• The tree lined river and valley shape / landscape character. • The views from the Panorama Walk. • The lock and weir at Chequers pub. • The ring road bridge and associated graffiti. • Pipeline and associated graffiti. • The Conham River Park area. • The railway, its embankment and moving trains.

What sensory experiences are offered?

• Sound of moving water, particularly close to the lock / weir. • Boats moving on the river. • Sound of wildlife – birds / wind in trees. • Isolation / quiet. • Brunel’s railway – sound and movement of trains on opposite bank. • Roads – Conham Hill / Bypass – noise of cars. • Bell – ring when calling ferry. • Bat Audio Trail / sound box.

4.1.2 Built Environment and Human Activity

What people do you know that are connected to the site?

• Industrial heritage – people associated with setting up industries? • John Couch – Couch Cottages. • Conham Hall? • Brunel (railway). • Railway tragedy – John Chiddy. • Romans. • John Wesley. • Tony Benn (opened Conham River Park). • Famous people associated with Avon Navigation?

What significant events are associated with the Avon Valley Woodlands?

• Railway tragedy – John Chiddy. • Industrial revolution – development of smelting and coal industries. • Romans / Roman villa at Castle Farm estate. • Hanham is listed in the Doomsday Book as ‘Hanum’ –place of ancient kings/would-be kings. • Works to make River Avon navigable for boats – 18th century. • Persecution of Baptists. • Murder of Gladys Nott in May 1935.

26 Are there any interesting buildings or other structures?

• Copper smelting / industrial ruins and associated walls etc. • Remnants of the water treatment plant (blue brick structures). • Powder house for storing of dynamite. • Conham Hall and farm – tunnel and other remains? • Remnants of smallholder buildings in Hencliff Woods? • Weir, Lock & K&A canal. • 100 steps path. • Pipeline. • Riverside Cottages – formerly Couch Cottages. • Brunel railway? • Public art – graffiti project / ferry shelter. • Bypass bridge. • Toilet / BBQ area. • Old coal spoil tip / Hanham Coal mine (closed 1920). • River Avon Trail / towpath. • Slag blocks and coping in walls.

4.1.3 Wildlife

Are there any striking wildlife species?

• Trees – Oak, birch , Wild Service, Monkey Puzzle, Poplar plantation. • Continuous woodland – succession in development of woodland over last 120 years from more open valley aspect – big changes in landscape over short period? • Water voles? (Check records). • Otters. • Fish – eel, perch, dace etc. • Birds – kingfishers, buzzards, grey wagtails, tree creepers, gold finches, woodpeckers. • Heron colony – on Eastwood Farm side. • Sparrow Hawks / Tawny Owls / Buzzards / other raptors. • Water/sea birds: Cormorants, ducks, swans. • Bats: Lesser horseshoe, pipistrelles , brown long eared, daubentons, noctules. • Dragon and damsel flies. • Floodplain meadow. • Limestone grassland. • Wild cherry trees. • Peregrine falcon.

Which offer the strongest sensory impact?

• Trees – extensive wooded area and tree lined river, specimen trees. • Visual and sound – wind through trees / sound of water.

27 • Birds – bird calls / noises.

Which are the ones that relate most to people’s everyday lives?

• Trees – extensive wooded area and tree lined river, specimen trees. • Visual and sound – wind through trees / sound of water. • Fish – fishing. • Birds – ducks and swans, kingfisher.

Which ones do most people see?

• Woodland. • River. • Wildflowers, birds.

4.1.4 Geology

• Shape and formation of the river valley. • Pennant red sandstone – 300 million years old. • Bickley Wood SSSI – geological designation. • Use of stone in development of local area / buildings. • Use of stone for Bristol Castle?

4.1.5 Folklore and traditions

• Railway tragedy – John Chiddy (other side of the river). • Baptist tradition and John Wesley. • Site part of the old Kingswood Forest. • Murder in the Woods (not very welcoming).

4.2 Interpretive Significance

Analysis of the interpretive inventory has identified the following features as being special or significant in the context of the Avon Valley Woodlands. They form a long list of features or areas in the park that could be interpreted.

• Ruins of former industrial and copper smelting industries. • Slag block in walls. • Slag heap as evidence of former mining activities. • Numerous quarries and their rock exposures. • Old powder house as reminder of quarrying activities. • Remnants of the former Conham Hall and farm. • Views of pond created by bomb crater and WW2 memorial. • The river valley landscape. The topography and river are the central components of the landscape.

28 • Wildlife – there are a good range of birds, fish, trees and plants associated with river and woodlands. • Transport – boats on the river, Brunel’s railway, the bypass. • Green corridor link between city and country. • Long distance paths – River Avon Trail and Monarch’s Way.

29 5. INTERPRETIVE THEMES

Before developing interpretive themes for the Avon Valley Woodlands it is necessary to identify its ‘story’. This needs to be expressed in one short paragraph if people are going to remember and connect with it.

It is proposed that the story of the park can be expressed as follows: -

5.1 The Story Of The Avon Valley Woodlands

The character of the Avon Valley Woodlands has been fashioned over thousands of years by its underlying geology of pennant sandstone and the action of running water which has created a distinctive wooded valley through which the River Avon flows. Over time people have made use of the river and adjacent land in a variety of ways that have contributed to the economic development of the area and provided local people with a livelihood. In the past the river has been a regionally important transport route and the land used for a variety of purposes including farming, copper and brass smelting, coal mining and quarrying. These activities have left a long lasting mark on the landscape, however, in more recent times nature has healed many of the scars to create a tranquil wooded valley where plants and animals can thrive and people can relax away from the pressures of urban life.

5.2 What Are Themes?

A theme is the specific message (or messages) to get across to people about the subject matter (what is special about the place). It is the main idea that people should ideally take away with them after their visit – even if they have forgotten everything else. Themes are statements that unite different strands of information and use an idea or concept as a way of understanding a place – they should be: -

• Stated as a complete sentence • Contain one main idea • Reveal what the interpretation is about • Be as interesting as possible • Be as specific as possible

It has been established that people remember themes but forget the facts. Once themes have been established for the Avon Valley Woodlands, they can then help structure the interpretation and help decide what information should be included, and what must inevitably be left out.

5.3 Core Theme

The core theme is quite general because an area rather than a specific feature of idea is being interpreted. The suggested core theme for the Avon Valley Woodlands is as follows:

30 • Shaped by the river, transformed by people, healed by nature.

This core theme should form the common thread for the interpretation of the Avon Valley Woodlands and development of all new interpretive media. It is the message that people should remember when they leave the Avon Valley Woodlands.

5.4 Discussion of Potential Sub-themes

When developing sub-themes it is necessary to keep asking the question - will visitors to the Avon Valley Woodlands really find this interesting? The eleven themes described below were tested with woodland users via the questionnaire (see appendix 2), or were suggested by them. The questionnaire was undertaken to ensure that there is evidence that people will be interested in the themes. The themes are listed in table 1 below in order of the level of interest shown by site users. contains Table 1: Potential Sub-themes Tested with Park Users Theme Comments 1. People used to live and work The overwhelming majority (95%) of people in the woodlands. were interested in this theme and many people in the survey mentioned that people used to live in the woodlands. Stories of people that used to work in the woodlands (farming, quarrying, and industry) have a high level of interpretative significance because their lives can be related to features of the ground. There are very few traces of the people that used to live in the woodlands, so this has a lower level of interpretative significance. 2. The Avon Valley Woodlands Wildlife was a very popular theme with 95% of is important for trees and other people expressing a desire to know more. This plants and animals. theme has a high degree of interpretive significance because there are features all around that people can relate to. 3. The Avon Valley Woodlands A large majority of people (93%) were interested contains important transport in transport features – use of the river and valley routes from past and present. by boats, railways & roads. This theme has a high degree of interpretive significance because there are many types of features (boats, railway, road bridge) that people can relate to. 4. The Avon Valley Woodlands A high proportion of people (79%) expressed an has been shaped by quarrying, interest in learning more about the old industrial coal mining and industrial buildings and 96% were interested in the history workings. of the valley and what it used to look like. This theme has a high degree of interpretive significance because there are features on the ground that people can relate to. 6. The Avon Valley Woodlands 90% of people already knew that the woodlands is part of a tidal river valley that form part of a green corridor running along the forms a green corridor running river into Bristol. This theme has a high degree into the heart of Bristol. of interpretive significance with many features on

31 the ground that people can relate to. 6. Signs of Roman activity have A high proportion of people (86%) were been found here. interested in this theme however it has a low level of interpretative significance because there are no features on the ground that people can relate to. 7. The Avon Valley Woodlands A high proportion (81%) of people were used to shelter Baptists who interested in this theme however it has a low were persecuted for their level of interpretative significance because there religious beliefs are no features on the ground that people can relate to. 8. Conham River Park was Only half the visitors new about the former once the site of a large hall and Conham Hall and farm, whilst they were not farm directly asked whether interested in this, we know that a large majority are interested in the history of the valley and what it looked like. There are some limited remnants of the hall (tunnel and monkey puzzle tree) and farm so the theme has some interpretative significance. 9. The Avon Valley Woodlands 58% of people did not already know that parts of is important for its geology. the valley have been designated for their geological importance and 65% of people were either moderately or very interested in this theme. This was the lowest level of interest of all the themes; however two thirds of people are still interested. The preponderance of quarries and rock faces gives this theme a high level of interpretative significance. 10. The Avon Valley People were not directly asked whether they Woodlands contain features were interested in this theme. There is a small associated with World War 2 war memorial in the woodland and the bomb crater pond at Eastwood Farm can be viewed over the river. Features related to WW2 are localised, so this theme has a moderate to low level of interpretative significance. 11. Gladys Nott was murdered A number of people mentioned the murder in the in the woodlands in 1935 woodlands during the survey, however people were not asked about it in the questionnaire. The story has a low level of interpretative significance because there are no features to relate the murder to on the ground.

5.5 Recommended Themes

It is recommended that the following themes should be interpreted in the Avon Valley Woodlands. For each sub-theme there is a list of information that can be used to support the theme in interpretive media.

If people are to remember the interpretive themes when they leave the Avon Valley Woodlands they have to be few in number and simple. The Avon Valley Woodlands covers a large area and the character of the woodland; its features and history are varied. There need to be sufficient sub-themes to

32 reflect these local characteristics but avoid creating a multiplicity of sub- themes where the overall core theme will become lost in the public mind.

It is proposed that a core theme and six active sub-themes are sufficient to interpret the Avon Valley Woodlands. Themes related to the Romans, Baptists and murder of Gladys Nott have low levels of interpretative significance so have been left out. The theme related to WW2 only has a moderate to low level of interpretative significance and has also been left out. A high proportion of people (90%) already know that the river forms part of a green corridor running into Bristol, so there is not a pressing need to interpret this theme and it has also been left out.

Core Theme

• Shaped by the river, transformed by people, healed by nature.