In This Issue L Heritage Forum Launched L Historic Hospital Saved L Tomorrow’S City Region
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BetterThe Bristol Civic Society magazine Bristol Issue 08 Spring 2016 bristolcivicsociety.org.uk IN THIS ISSUE l HERITAGE FORUM LAUNCHED l HISTORIC HOSPITAL SAVED l TOMORROw’S CITY REGION ... AND MUCH MUCH MORE an independent force for a better Bristol The Bristol Civic Society, Registered Charity No. 244414 Better Bristol Spring 2016 Better Bristol Spring 2016 Page CHAIRMAN’S PIECE CONTENTS 7 4 NEWS AND NEXT AGM Civic Society – here NEWS 6 Civic Society heads new Heritage Forum to make a difference CIVIC SOCIETY IN ACTION n this issue we bring you the to generate new partnerships, create new 8 Major Sites Group Planning launch of the Bristol Heritage projects and generally acknowledge the City wide role of the Society. However, we did Applications Group Forum, a partnership initiative OPINION conclude that possibly the most significant between everyone with a obstacle to the future development of the 22 Eugene Byrne recalls 75 years Front Cover: TOMORROW’S Iconcern for the City’s heritage. Society is the extremely small number of after the Blitz. Is Bristol Better? The much loved St Nicholas market 11 CITY REGION active members. The addition of even two The role of the Civic Society or three members willing to become more A jewel of the city’s heritage, wins The regional Spatial Plan POLITICS on the Forum is to galvanise involved and lead initiatives would make national award – See page 5 and what it means for Bristol 24 On Brexit and local elections different interests, to co-ordinate an appreciable difference. We now have a Photo credit – Tracey Feltham activity and to actually “make a range of activities which appeal to a wide HERITAGE & range of interests and you may well find CONSERVATION TRANSPORT difference”. something to grab your imagination. For 14 25 City’s Transport Chief responds Ashton Court Gatehouse A number of you have asked what the example, the current panels for both Blue to article in last issue EDITOR Underfall yard opens real point is of the Forum – will it just be a Plaques and Design Awards are formed of Dave Cave to the public. talking shop? Well I sincerely hope not! A volunteers who are enjoying the challenge 26 JOIN US HERE good example of its potential value would of the work as well as contributing to the DESIGNER Old BRI building be the plight of St Michael’s on the Mount, Possibly the most significant success of both activities. When reading Tracey Feltham (Charity Universal) saved. EVENTS & MEETINGS now vacant and boarded up for nearly 20 obstacle to the future this edition of Better Bristol I urge you to have a hard look at what you might be able 27 Spring – Summer 2016 years. In my view this could not possibly development of the Society EDITORIAL PANEL DESIGN have happened if the Forum had been in to contribute to the Society – I’m sure you is the extremely small will all find something that you can offer. I Alan Morris, Simon Birch, 18 The neglected work of Sylvia Crowe. existence during that time – a vigilant eye number of active members look forward to hearing from you. Eugene Byrne, Jeff Lucas would have been cast on all buildings at Mr Gane’s forgotten Pavilion risk (and especially on such a well loved, This initial session was very much the start Simon Birch CONTRIBUTORS prominent and historic building) – and action would have been taken, the building of an ongoing process – we didn’t reach Alan Morris, Simon Birch, John Frenkel, any clear strategic conclusions and will Chair, Bristol Civic Society Page would have been championed, publicised, John Payne, Tamsin Mosse, Sarah and a new lease of life found much earlier. reflect before moving forward. Of course Murray, Wendy Tippett, Eugene Byrne, 18 Without the Forum we have still travelled the launch of the Heritage Forum is a major Jeff Lucas hopefully and indeed are now talking strategic initiative which has the potential positively with the church owners. PHOTOGRAPHY At the beginning of the New Year some Jeff Lucas, Page twenty Civic Society “activists”spent a very Contributors 16 useful Saturday morning closeted in the Youth Hostel on Narrow Quay. The purpose DISTRIBUTION TEAM was to start the process of developing a Led by John Payne strategy for the future of the Civic Society. We looked first at a Bristol without the Society – CONTACTS & ADDRESS would anyone notice? Would developers run See page 26 amok? The conclusion was that we weren’t entirely sure, which is worrying in itself! We WEBSITE looked at what other Civic Societies do, www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk aided by the attendance of Freddie Gick, Chairman of Civic Voice. But many examples PRINTERS were of much smaller towns quite unlike the situation in Bristol with so many existing local Sebright, Bristol societies involved in civic activities. St Michael’s on the Mount – vacant and boarded up for nearly 20 years. Articles are the opinions of individual authors and do not necessarily represent Not already a member? See page 26 for those of Bristol Civic Society. Page 14 Why not join TODAY! more details... BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk AGM and Civic Society – new initiatives NEWS The Society has taken on a number of new Society’s good reputation allows us to take Discover East Bristol NEWS presentation initiatives in the last 6 months, as reported on these roles. The bad news is that it is There’s more to Bristol’s by the Chair. Chief among these are leading yet more work for a motivated but hard- scenery than just the Avon 4 of design the Heritage forum, and running the Blue working core team. Gorge and Clifton Downs 5 Plaques scheme. It is encouraging that the We really DO need more hands at the pump. A new interactive online map funded by City News awards Bristol 2015 Neighbourhood Arts Project highlights some of the hidden corners Tuesday 7th June Getting involved with the Civic Society and wide open spaces of east Bristol. St James’s Priory, From wild and craggy Troopers Hill to Whitsun Street. There are many ways you There are several VACANCIES the serene Oldbury Court estate and can get involved. Come and that need to be filled: much more in between. This year we are again holding the Society Secretary AGM and the presentation of the http://discovereastbristol.co.uk/ join our campaigns and This is the main administrative role that Design Awards on the same evening working groups. Paper copies may also be found in and in the same venue. We are legally has to be filled. Main task is arranging libraries, tourist centres, Hamilton House returning to St James’s Priory after a We need writers, photographers, artist the executive meetings and AGM and Civic Society News and many other venues. very successful Civic Voice Convention for our publications. Organisers of keeping records. held there last October. Members are events. Administration. Members of Executive Committee cordially invited to both events. Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect) No experience needed, come along and Editor for Better Bristol New energy learn the ropes, only requirement is A Metro Mayor for The current editor is re-locating away enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and being from Bristol (yes, really!). So someone is supplier Bristol A Dead Duck computer savvy. needed urgently to take on the next issue in Greater Bristol - or Done Deal? You’ll be working with others, benefitting October. The current editor will assist with Energy is in it for to be a growing consensus that there is from their support and friendship. the next issue if required. Nobody seems to quite know. In the budget of 2016 the Chancellor much that will benefit the region, not least the social good announced plans for the West in improving transport. This is something that the Society has long advocated. There of England Combined Authority is already considerable co-operation on Bristol Walking Alliance devolution. the key issues. This will give the West of Past and current Civic Society Chairs with England – the four unitary Freedie Gick a the Civic Voice Convention authorities including Bristol that make up the existing AGM at 6.30pm partnership - new powers over The AGM will be restricted to improved transport, planning, South members only before the public Bristol Energy, the first municipal energy skills and employment. Gloucestershire Design Awards event, in order to company in the South West and one of The West of England will encourage a more open and frank Bristol the first in the country, is officially open for also receive control of a discussion on the how the society business. The energy supply company was £900 million investment has performed in the last year, the created by Bristol City Council in 2015 to fund over 30 years to boost raising of any issues and our plans be a force for social good. It is leading the economic growth. A lot of North for the future. way as a new model of energy company Somerset The Society is a founding member of Greater Bedminster Community preparatory work has gone Bath & North that contributes to the wellbeing of East Somerset Design Awards at 7.30pm the Bristol Walking Alliance, started Partnership, Living Streets, Sustrans, and into this, as evidenced by the local communities. signatures of the four leaders in 2015. The alliance campaigns to SHINE (Supporting Healthy Inclusive Eagerly awaited awards presentation on the agreement. to the cream of Bristol’s developments improve Bristol’s walking environment, Neighbourhood Environments) Team. Got a point of view? completed in 2015. Bristol’s Design recognising that walking can be a There will be a BWA launch event as part Response has been predictable: The Greater Bristol or West of England area on the one hand there are those who Oscars are a closely guarded secret neglected mode of transport (see article of the Bristol Walking Festivalon Tuesday reject anything that smells of the hated The elected Metro Mayor will have ...well except for the winners who will by Suzanne Audrey in October 2015’s 17 May, 6.30-8.30pm at The Watershed, Avon and domination by Bristol, on the considerable authority but his/her be there to accept their plaques.