Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association – Newsletter May 2020
Welcome to the Bulletin for May – the second edition to be sent out during Lockdown. As before, this Bulletin contains local information you may find interesting and helpful. It also tries to give you information about opportunities to help in the community, links to where you can find help yourselves, and details about what some of our local businesses are doing to remain buoyant at this time. Your Community Association very much hope that you are managing to keep well. We wish all our readers, their families, friends and neighbours the very best of health and strength to get through this time. We can be contacted at any time at [email protected] or on 0117 9291883
Contents 1. Western Harbour and Other Development Initiatives...... 2 2. Piazza update and news ...... 3 3. Mural in piazza wins award: ...... 3 4. Traffic Problems in Avon Crescent and Cumberland Rd: ...... 3 5. Public Transport situation: ...... 4 6. News from Jacob Wells Road ...... 4 7. Warnings/ scams to avoid in the current situation: ...... 4 8. Local and Green News : ...... 5 9. Banksy’s ‘girl’ gets a makeover: ...... 5 10. Friends Ageing Better newsletter: ...... 5 11. Books: ...... 6 12. Food Banks: ...... 7 13. Refuse Collection: ...... 7 14. Exercising with caution: ...... 8 15. Local Businesses in need of support at this time: ...... 8 16. University of the Third Age (U3A) Members: ...... 10 17. To mask or not to mask: ...... 10
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1. Western Harbour and Other Development Initiatives.
There are lots of development initiatives happening to the South of Hotwells and Cliftonwood, all of which would have an impact in one way or another upon our area. Developments are proposed at the following: • Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club Site • Payne's Shipyard • Old Brewery, Ashton Gate • Alderman Moore's allotments • Ashton Gate's Sporting Quarter • Ashton Vale field • Ashton Railway Sidings • Cumberland Basin/Ashton Meadows
All of these developments are well illustrated in the Bristol Live article available here:
The Bristol Post has and article on ‘Plans for hundreds of new homes on site of former railway depot in Ashton Gate’ at the Clanage Road Railway Depot/Ashton sidings.
• The Clanage Road planning application has application reference 20/01655/F • There is also a planning application at Payne’s Shipyard which has reference 19/06107/F
The current details of these applications are available on Bristol City Council’s website, but we are aware the council seem to be having problems at present. You can search for planning applications on this page. Enter one of the above reference numbers in the box under ‘simple search’ and select ‘Documents’ to view the details. There is a lot of information but the ‘Design and Access Statement’ is a useful place to start.
On the 29th April HCCA was given access to the pre-application plans for the development of the ‘Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club Site’ and we will be commenting on those.
So despite being “in lock-down” there is plenty going on. The Cumberland Basin Stakeholder Group has written to the Mayor to ask for assurances that things will not progress with the Cumberland Basin/Western Harbour initiative without prior engagement with the public as originally planned. Details of the letter can be found on the HCCA website www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk
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2. Piazza update and news Here is a link to a most informative piece written by Anna Wilson who has done so much to promote the development and the beautification of our ‘square’. It points to a very interesting project which will involve local art students. https://artundertheflyover.com/2020/04/28/adapting-to-a-changing-world/
Another link on the subject of urban landscape can be found here https://issuu.com/landscape-institute/docs/landscape_journal_2020-2_-_12067
3. Mural in piazza wins award: Our local mural by Amy Hutchings is profiled Landscape Institute magazine- congratulations to Amy.
Because of an interest in Dame Sylvia Crowe, the landscape architect who designed the Cumberland Basin scheme, Hotwells has been profiled in a prestigious national magazine!
In 2018, Anna Haydock-Wilson approached local artist Amy Hutchings, to discuss painting a mural of famous local women. inspired by Jane Duffus’s book The Women Who Built Bristol. This was funded by ‘Art within the Cracks’, a project celebrating the centenary of women gaining suffrage by developing artist led community engagement projects. Anna & Amy selected the women they wanted to profile and Amy devised and painted the lovely mural. For more see this article on Amy’s website.
4. Traffic Problems in Avon Crescent and Cumberland Rd:
Residents of Avon Crescent continue to raise concerns and complaints about Bristol Council’s failure to deliver on outstanding AVTM Metrobus safety and environmental conditions.
In the meantime, as a constructive response to the Covid-19 lock-down restrictions, residents welcomed considerate roadrunners and sought to make interim safe shared (social distance) space for all the thousands of extra walkers, runners and cyclists needing to use Avon Crescent (as part of a round-harbour route & link across the Cut between neighbourhoods and green spaces west of the city). They also marked out a 2m+ runner’s lane extension to the narrow pavement space. This has proved so popular that pictures and stories about this went viral and have been linked with similar initiatives around the world.
Unfortunately, just as everyone got used to Avon Crescent as much-needed safe shared space (it is one of the main missing Metrobus safety and environmental conditions) Bristol Council Transport suddenly and without notice removed all the closure signs it had recently put up, which has encouraged vehicles to dominate and inappropriately forced runners back onto the narrow pavements. In the meantime all residents are keen to make sure Avon Crescent users are safe and have found fellow voices city-wide, nationally and globally who are working to the same goal.
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Below are some links you might find interesting: Bristol Post: Coronavirus: Markings encouraging runners to practice social distancing appear on Bristol road
BBC Radio Bristol: Why speeding in built-up areas has become an issue during the coronavirus restrictions.
The Guardian: World cities turn their streets over to walkers and cyclists
Road CC: East London council to block cars to protect cyclists and pedestrians from speeding drivers during pandemic
5. Public Transport situation: Buses are still running in Bristol, although at a much reduced number. First Bus is now carrying less than 10% of the numbers before lockdown. In order to support local bus services which are essential for many people (including ‘key workers’) the Department of Transport has offered financial support for the next three months. The M2 bus is currently not running, although the park-and-ride at Long Ashton is still open and the 505 bus is running from there on a weekend timetable.
Read the First Bus site for more information.
6. News from Jacob Wells Road
Jacobs Wells Community Hub is changing their noticeboards more frequently, offering a range of local interest and cultural posts (including recipes and health). All three boards have dispensers for local walks and colouring activities. Stocks of these vary on each board. Locations of the boards are: • Bottom of Jacobs Wells Road - just above the crescent of shops • Top of Jacobs Wells Road - opposite the entrance to QEH School • Cathedral Walk - adjacent to the grassed area between The Crescent and Lloyds Banking.
Please notice that only pre-printed posters (preferably A4) can be accepted as there is no access to printers currently. The email address to use if you have any questions is [email protected]
7. Warnings/ scams to avoid in the current situation: There are many scams around currently to catch us off guard in a time when we might be more pre-occupied than normal. One of our committee members received a scam text alleging to be from O2 recently, telling her that they couldn’t process payment for the previous month ‘so could you please re-enter details’.
Anything asking you to re-enter details should be deleted! She went onto the O2 site and checked, the bill had been paid as usual. Avon and Somerset Police have put together a most informative page on the possible scams that could occur and what to look out for.
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8. Local and Green News : Below is an excerpt from the latest newsletter from the ‘Clifton Climate Action Campaign’. To find out more about their campaigns and future plans then please refer to their website here https://www.cliftonclimateaction.org/
Bristol's Clean Air Zone Cancelled Bristol’s November 2019 decision to introduce a Clean Air Zone in the city centre got national attention. Private diesel cars were to be banned from a central Bristol zone, at certain times, from April 2021, and commercial vehicles charged a fee (with the exception of taxis). However, the Mayor has announced that the scheme is suspended with no date for reintroduction. If you wish to comment on the proposals either for or against, you may wish to write to your local councillors and to the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees.
9. Banksy’s ‘girl’ gets a makeover:
For those who use the harbourside for exercise you will have noticed a sudden flurry of ‘tourists’ to see the addition to Banksy’ girl with pierced eardrum which can be found on a wall in Hanover Place. It suddenly appeared one evening in late March (as you would expect) More details can be found here.
10. Friends Ageing Better newsletter: This is a special edition and features many ways that we can spend our time during lock-down. ‘Babbers Radio Show’ is something you may not have come across. It is broadcast on 98FM on any radio within the Bristol area. It airs every Monday 12 noon – 2 pm. Shibashi Tai Chi also gets a mention and there is a link to free classes and a 16 minute taster session online in case you aren’t sure exactly what it is! One of its most interesting items is on the Virtual Archive at SS Great Britain. Full information on the above and more is on the web site.
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11. Books: The committee has received the following information about an initiative in Clifton to provide library books for those who are missing them.
‘We have created The Little Library- www.aksplayground.com/the-little-library where people can look at the books we currently have and then request to take one out (via email at [email protected]). We will then clean them (wearing a homemade facemask and gloves) and delivery them to peoples doors in the Clifton/Hotwell/Cliftonwood area without the need for physical contact’.
The Independent Bookshop on North St. ‘Story Smiths’ is taking orders for books too for those running out of reading choices. They also offer a delivery service. Check their website here https://storysmithbooks.com/
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12. Food Banks: Below is a recent statement by Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees
“Thousands of people in Bristol are facing food poverty, demand has never been higher, and the situation will only get worse as the repercussions of furlough, redundancy and increased applications for Universal Credit take its toll. We are planning for this now, but as a city we must pull together. In the coming months we will need more volunteers, more donations and more emergency provision.”
Details of where people can apply for help, where you can volunteer, or where you can send donations at this time of crisis, can be found on the link below: https://news.bristol.gov.uk/news/bristol-rallies-in-fight-against-food-poverty
If you are aware of any other local initiatives please contact us at [email protected]
Other sites connected with finding food at this time are below https://www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/
The food network not only shares ideas about how to grow your own produce in an urban environment, but also gives links to places where community volunteers are needed. More advice on sharing food in the community, growing food in a small space and creative use of surplus food to be found below https://www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/bristol-food-kind/
13. Refuse Collection: The Council reinstated Green bin collection on April 20th and, in spite of a warning that other collections might have to be every other week, has continued to provide weekly collections of all recycling boxes and food bins. This is a good achievement from our Council as many in surrounding areas have to wait for two weeks in the current situation. Black bins (landfill) continue to be collected every two weeks. The Council was concerned that people were lighting bonfires to get rid of garden waste – here is the message:
‘With garden waste resuming, we ask everyone to be mindful of neighbours with respect to bonfires. Burning household and garden waste produces smoke that can be a nuisance to those around you, especially people with underlying conditions, such as asthma. We need to protect those in our communities with coronavirus and those self-isolating at home. Smoke from burning waste in your garden can also enter homes, as well as drift into streets and gardens, making symptoms much worse’.
Here is a word of warning from one of the Bristol Waste #BigTidy Community Engagement Officers – (posted on the Hotwells, Cliftonwood and Harbourside Facebook page.)
‘A topic that has been coming up a lot recently in various groups is how to get rid of bulky waste while the household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs)
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are closed. The good news is that as of the 20th April, Bristol Waste’s bulky waste and garden waste collection services have been able to start back up. ‘I’ve had lots of people asking about private waste removal services while the HWRCS are closed, so I wanted to share some advice on that. Many of the firms and individuals advertising waste removal services on Facebook will be legitimate businesses, but there’s a few who may be operating illegally and could fly-tip your waste.
‘To protect our public spaces and countryside (and to avoid getting fined for someone else fly-tipping your waste), you should always do these 3 things before paying someone to remove your household waste: • Check they have a waste carrier license and ask to see it. • Ask where they will take the waste they collect (do they have a permit for a local waste and recycling centre?) • Get a receipt that includes a description of the waste they collected, their registered business address and their phone number’
14. Exercising with caution: With the combination of lock-down and the warm weather, there has been a noticeable increase in joggers, cyclists and walkers using the paths around the Harbourside. Unfortunately, sometimes this causes issues for those who are elderly or less secure about being outside at this time. There have been many complaints on Facebook pages and Nextdoor, usually from people who feel intimidated when a jogger or cyclist comes within a distance they personally feel is too close. Basically it requires a little consideration on all sides.
15. Local Businesses in need of support at this time: Below are some initiatives from local businesses continuing to operate over this difficult period.
Chai Shai ( Jacob Wells Rd) Chai Shai are ‘Caring for our Carers’.
Chai shai are closed for business and are volunteering to cook for Bristol’s carers. Having delivered over 3,000 meals to hospital NHS staff, Faruk and Shilpi have started to deliver to staff at care homes in Bristol.
Chai Shai would love to say thank you to all the people who have helped make this happen and send them all a big virtual hug. To donate, like or leave a nice message, please visit the Facebook page below.
If you are vulnerable, or know someone who is in need of cheering, healthy, delicious hot meals please contact via digital Facebook message
https://www.facebook.com/pg/chaishaikitchen/posts/
Rassasy Indian restaurant Hotwell Road is operating a take-away service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 5.30 p.m. – 10 pm. Phone: 0117 329 4848 . This is not a delivery – you have to be able to collect. https://www.indianrassasy.com/
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The Local Thai has a delivery service run by Deliveroo – to access this you have to go to the Deliveroo site. https://deliveroo.co.uk/menu/bristol/hotwells/the-local-thai- bristol
Otherwise the restaurant offers a take-away service offering a 10% discount for those who can collect. Their phone number is 0117 330 6476 https://www.localthaibristol.com/
Raj Bari This well-loved Indian restaurant on Hotwell Road is open only for take- away service on Thursday/Friday/Saturday evenings. Phone number is 0117 922 7617. http://rajbaribristol.co.uk/
The Lion This Cliftonwood pub is now offering take-away meals on Tuesday and Friday. The food has to be ordered from midday the day before. Telephone number 0786796961
All details are here http://www.thelioncliftonwood.co.uk/index.php/takeaway-menu
Pump House: Sourdough bread can be bought from Pump House from 12 – 2pm. on Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays. Each loaf is £4(!!!) and exact money is required – plus you need to take a bag to carry the loaf home. Unless you plan to eat it on the way!
https://www.facebook.com/birdinhandlongashton/
Pump House and Bird in Hand are also offering a limited delivery service. Please see the message from the Bird in Hand below.
‘In collaboration with Bristol Food Union we can currently offer the following: veg boxes, meat boxes, drinks and ready meals. Please call 01761 258 560 to place your order. Please have your name, address, details of any dietary (PLEASE ENSURE YOU TELL STAFF) requirements and card details to hand. We have a full list available by request. Please note this service is run by a teeny team of volunteers and we are all trying our very best. Orders cannot be accepted by email, social media or answer phone only by directly speaking with one of the team. Many thanks, The Bird team’.
Update : The hardware shop in Clifton is about to open Tuesday – Saturday
A few local shops offering delivery facilities. The Mall Deli www.themalldeli.co.uk enquiries to [email protected] 0117 9734440 and Clifton Fruit and Veg, Byces Avenue email [email protected] 0117 3368426
And a special big thanks to Spar on Hotwell Road. They still open 8am until 8pm and have installed social-distancing measures so that nobody need fear it will be
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crowded. The shelves are stocked regularly and the staff remain good-natured and helpful in all situations. This shop is a great asset to the community around them.
16. University of the Third Age (U3A) Members: Many classes have set up their own ways of communicating – but not all. If you are a member you are invited to join this closed group which is nationwide. The contributions are from many talented people who set puzzles, share amusing clips, help others to learn photography, share exercise routines or generally make comments about the present lock-down. The tone of the site is upbeat and positive and no political slights or negative complaining comments are allowed. It is created as something to look forward to reading! It is called Keeping in Touch and you can access it on Facebook
17. To mask or not to mask:
Whatever your own opinion may be, it is noticeable that more people are wearing masks to go shopping than a month ago. Below is the personal view of Mark Wright in his most recent edition of Cabot News.
‘For reasons that mystify me, the Western world has been incredibly slow to realise the importance of wearing face-masks in confined and close-contact situations during pandemics. (This is despite countless old UK photos of the 1918 pandemic showing everyone with face-masks on!) The whole of East Asia, having already had experience of SARS about 15 years ago, has been wearing face-masks since the beginning, and this is quite important when in shops or on public transport.
‘Obviously you should not try to buy medical face-masks at a time when the hospitals cannot get enough, but you can make a decent face-mask from an old t-shirt - a good guide is here by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (USA): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent- getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
‘Here is an article in the British Medical Journal arguing for people to wear face-masks when in public close contact: https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/time-to-encourage-people-to-wear- face-masks-as-a-precaution-say-experts/
With best wishes for the health of all your family members and friends. We hope the June newsletter/bulletin holds more promising news for us all.
If you – or any of your neighbours/friends have ideas for novel and productive ways to pass the time which could be included in a future bulletin we would love to hear from you. You can use the following email for a direct response [email protected]
Or you can contact us by phoning 0117 929 1883 or send an email to [email protected]
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