Inside L Should Bristol Become a High-Rise City? L Clean Air L Nightlife Under Threat L 50 Years of the SS Great Britain L Roll up for the Circus L Climate Crisis

Better Bristol The Bristol Civic Society Magazine - Issue 16 Spring/Summer 2020 Inside l Should Bristol become a high-rise city? l Clean Air l Nightlife under threat l 50 years of the SS Great Britain l Roll up for the Circus l Climate Crisis

an independent force for a better Bristol The chairman writes CHAIR Contents Bristol Civic Society is facing up Front Cover: 3 Twenty-six storey tower to the challenge of succession on the former ambulance station site. planning, writes Simon Birch. Photo: Mike Manson. n Issue 15 (Autumn / 16-17 Winter 2019) I reported that 22-23 the Society is leading the Bristol Civic Society: Who’s Who 3 16-17 The Chairman writes Roll up for the circus! way in terms of the breadth General Enquiries Bristol Civic Society is facing up Nic Billane takes a look at the and range of its activities. to the challenge of succession I Membership Secretary: David Giles history of the traditional circus 0117 9621592 planning, writes Simon Birch. and how the format is evolving. Membership continues to grow, [email protected] 4-5 and new members report that Should Bristol become 18-19 General Enquiries: Alan Morris a high rise city? Bristol night life they are attracted by the array [email protected] Tall buildings are bad for the and venues under threat of events and visits and by the environment, and bad for We must be vigilant, Organisation happiness. Matthew Montague says Annie McGann. opportunity to learn about the Chair: Simon Birch Pollock reports. 20-21 continuing development of [email protected] 6-7 SS Great Britain the City. Secretary: Mike Bates Planning Applications Eugene Byrne looks back at an John Payne, from Bristol Civic Yet the Society cannot stand still. It [email protected] epic adventure, and at the role Society’s Planning Applications now needs to work out how to replace the ship plays in Bristol today. Treasurer: John Jones Group, highlights some one of its key activists – John Frenkel [email protected] recent issues. 22-23 has recently announced his intention Communications and Events 8-9 Climate Crisis to step down as convener of the Major Major Developments in Bristol Maggie Moss highlights the Sites Group. This is a very active group Events: Nic Billane John Frenkel, convenor of Bristol conflict between traditional dealing with pre-application enquiries. [email protected] Civic Society’s Major Sites growth economics and the Group, gives an overview. realities of tackling the At its February meeting there were Better Bristol Editor: Mike Manson nearly 50 major sites on the agenda! [email protected] 10 Climate Crisis. The Bristol Arena With 12 members present at that meeting Webmaster: David Demery A tale of two Bristol Civic 24 we will jointly investigate how we wish Llandoger Trow closed and looking rather forlorn. [email protected] Society events by Simon Birch. Emerging plans for Temple Meads station to continue. We are all agreed that this is development project. Web and E-Mail Bulletin Editor: 11 a key group influencing developments to contribute to our review, or indeed There now seems to be some A number of you have been in Alan Morris St Michael’s on momentum towards specific at the earliest possible stage and that its to any of our activities, please do get touch enquiring about the future of [email protected] the Mount Without plans for Temple Meads station, work must continue - and flourish. in touch. Many posts can be shared Restoration is underway and the Llandoger Trow, that historic Building Awards Scheme: Simon Birch writes Alan Morris. so that the workload doesn’t become requires a range of specialist And John Payne, convener of the seventeenth century public house located [email protected] skills, writes Simon Birch. unduly onerous. I look forward to 25 Planning Applications Group, has also in the heart of the City in King Street. The A blue plaque for Iris hearing from you. Blue Plaques: Gordon Young 12-13 indicated his wish to hand over his building is closed and is looking rather [email protected] Preserving our Murdoch responsibilities in due course. PAG is forlorn but we are told that the City architectural heritage Gordon Young describes how the Campaigns Campaigning another well attended and very busy Council is making sure that security on Claudia Feher and Callum typeface used on blue plaques is group with opportunities to learn much Sinclair photograph two designed for the job. Work on St Michael’s is well advanced the building is tight and that options for Major Sites Group: John Frenkel about the planning system and about [email protected] buildings at risk. – see page 10. We are optimistic that the the future are being actively explored. 26 current planning proposals. venue will be ready to host our AGM in Public Spaces, Transport and Planning: 14 Obituary We are keeping a watching brief. Innovate and collaborate We intend to take the opportunity to early June. Alan Morris We celebrate the life of John for a carbon neutral Bristol review how we deal with all the range [email protected] Samantha Nicol, Head of Innovation Sansom. Progress on resolving the future of Simon Birch at Bristol Energy, describes three of consultations - major sites, planning Ashton Court Mansion is slower than Planning Applications Group: John Payne 27 applications, planning policies and Chair, Bristol Civic Society city-wide initiatives. Join us! we would like. But at least the City [email protected] transport. 15 The Bristol Civic Society Council does recognise that decisive [email protected] Heritage Forum: Steve Davis The Council decides needs you. You need us. And of course, before too long the action is required - we watch this one [email protected] on a Clean Air Plan Society will also need a new Chair! with great interest! Better Bristol was written before the Alan Morris asks 28 Coronavirus pandemic arrived. Many Links with Other Bristol Groups is it worth having? Events We would love to hear your ideas on We remain an interested bystander of the issues in this edition may be put Planning Network: addressing any of these matters. So on the future of Western Harbour, on hold for the moment. But we will [email protected] EDITOR ADVISORY PANEL Copy date for please email them to me. Even better, waiting for the optimum moment to return to them when normal service is Mike Manson Alan Morris, Eugene Byrne, next edition if you have an interest in getting more become involved in what is likely to Bristol Walking Alliance: Alan Morris resumed. Ed [email protected] [email protected] Nic Billane, Simon Birch. 1 August 2020. involved in the Society and would like become a long running transport and All articles in Better Conservation Advisory Panel: DESIGNER DISTRIBUTION TEAM Bristol are the opinion Stephen Wickham Led by John Payne. Tracey Feltham of the author. Articles [email protected] Not already a member? Why not join TODAY! [email protected] PRINTERS don’t necessarily Historic England: John Frenkel Sebright, Bristol. reflect the views of See page 27 for more details... [email protected] Bristol Civic Society. BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk 4 Tall Buildings FEATURE W BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY buildings’ energyusage. Steadman ofUCL,anexpertin First upwasProfessorPhilip asked thesequestionsbefore. new. Onewonderedwhyno-one the informationwassurprisingly construction, before thebuildingis energy”, i.e.energy consumedduring Tall buildingsalsousemore “embodied more heatingandcooling. because theystickup.So need wind inwinter,andheatsummer, buildings areexposedtocold airand most likelyreasonappearsto bethattall reason? Thoughthisisspeculative,the airconditioned buildings.Sowhatisthe survives evenifyouseparateoutnon- the air-conditioning?No-effect energy, sotheydon’texplainit.Maybe use? Liftsonlyuse3%ofatallbuilding’s What isthereasonforextraenergy tested againstreal-worldobservations. energy usearehighlymisleading,when that architectsusetoforecastongoing energy. Conclusion:thecomputermodels energy-intensive, usingaround15%extra tall buildingsshouldbemildlymore models ofenergyusageforecastthat this result,becauseexistingtheoretical undertaking. Steadmanwassurprisedby another, obviouslyahighlyexpensive encased onetallbuildinginside where thearchitecthaseffectively except inthecaseofoneFosterbuilding buildings infactneveruselessenergy, metre aremorethantwiceaslarge.Tall metre. Theircarbonemissionspersquare in fact100%moreenergypersquare than otherbuildingsonanongoingbasis, buildings usedramaticallymoreenergy The resultswereabigsurprise.Tall the world. previously beendonebeforeanywherein energy consumptionfigures.Thishadnot compare theirenergyusage,usingactual conditioned andnaturallyventilated,to new andold,largesmall,air- large datasetof612UKofficebuildings, Steadman hascompiledanextraordinarily a high-risecity? Should Bristolbecome bad forhappiness.MatthewMontaguePollockreports. event wasanunambiguousno.Tallbuildingsarebadfortheenvironment,and The conclusionofthethreeexpertspeakersatBristolCivicSociety’sMarch5 evening. Muchof a research-heavy and charts,thiswas ith lotsofgraphs Tall buildings’shadowstendtoblockneighbouringlight,sotheyneedoccupyextraspace. in termsofenergyandcarbonuse. an extremelyhighenvironmentalimpact office buildings. So their construction has of floorareawas60%greaterinthetall the embodiedenergypersquaremetre rises on42and52storeys.Onaverage, offices on3and7storeys,twohigh- in officebuildings,studyingtwolow-rise looked atembodiedenergyandheight brought intouse.AgroupinAustralia the sameFloorSpaceIndex(FSI)asa life thetypicalmid-risebuildinghas need tooccupyextraspace.Soinreal neighbouring buildings’light,sothey Tall buildings’shadowstendtoblock too isanillusion,arguesSteadman. space weneedtallbuildings.Butthis We areoftentoldthattodensifyurban storeys, plus7-storey blocks. towers Road: 250 City of36and41 Foster and Partners, schemefor 8-storey courtyard. on thesamesite inan The samefloorarea storeys andmore. is doubledgoingfrom5storeysto20 buildings increaseswithheight,and • EnergyusageintensityinUKoffice is massivelytallerthantheother. and havethesameFSI,eventhoughone space, andyieldthesameusableareas, schemes wouldoccupythesameland an 8storeycourtyardbuilding.Both 36 storey250CityRoadschemeinto re-arranging FosterandPartners’41 This canbeintuitivelydemonstratedby not inpracticeprovideextradensity. by landareaused),i.e.tallbuildingsdo tall building(FSI=floorarea,divided suggests that: Steadman’s research

environmental impact intermsofenergyandcarbon use. The construction of tallbuildingshasanextremely high • Viewsofwater. and decoration. • Symmetricalbuildings,withdetailing dead spaces. • Streetswithactivefacadesratherthan motorised traffic. • Streetswithnooronlyslow-moving rather fewpeople(e.g.asmallpark). green. areas,orareassharedamong green insmallishspaces,withprivate • Treesandgreen-butpreferably and improvingmentalhealth? encouraging sociabilityandhappiness, And whatbuiltformsaddpleasure, About 40%,accordingtoUSresearch. might bederivedfromtheenvironment? happiness. Whatproportionofhealth can increasehumaninteractionand which looksathowbuildingforms Create Streetshasgatheredevidence would understandsuchevidence. at leastaspsychologistsorthesciences tradition basedonempiricalevidence, architecture andplanninglargelylacka view, highlynecessarygiventhat increasingly availableand,intheir of quantitativeresearch,whichis pioneering thecollectionandcreation Create Streetsarequietrevolutionaries, Beautiful Commission. government’s BuildingBetter, Smith, whowasrecentlyco-headofthe founded in2013byNicholasBoys Create Streets,anurbanismthink-tank Next speakerupwasDavidMilnerof density. by buildinglower,withoutsacrificing • Muchenergycouldthusbesaved half theheight. slabs orcourtyardbuildingsoflessthan buildings cangenerallybeachievedin • Thedensitiesachievedbytower not appeartopredicttheseeffects. • Computermodelsofenergyusedo height inUKblocksofflats. • Energyintensityalsoincreasewith rise thaninlow-rise. office buildingsis60%greaterinhigh- • EmbodiedenergyusageinAustralian The typicalcostofnotonlythe the building. than duringtheentireworkinglifeof happen duringtheconstructionstage Bennetts statedthatmoreemissions the UK’sleadingsustainabilitypractice, With longexperienceasthefounderof Kong, Panama,andtheCityofLondon. the 60s,andtowersofDubai,Hong cities, includingthesocialhousingof style” oftoday’sglobalisedhigh-rise futuristic vistastothe“international who ledusfromLeCorbusier’s Third speakerupwasRabBennetts, forms formostpeople.’ less satisfactorythanotherhousing literature suggeststhathigh-risesare by CreateStreetswhichconcludes:“the survey byRobertGifford(2007)quoted for somesuicides’,notesanimportant and…they mayindependentlyaccount of crimearegreater[intallbuildings], other housingforms.‘Crimeandfear where helpingbehaviourislessthanin relations thataremoreimpersonaland children, areassociatedwithsocial more depression,arenotoptimalfor buildings causegreaterlonelinessand The evidenceisalsoclearthattall traditional designs. people prefermid-risebuildings,and shows thatthanmostordinary building designs,whileresearch architects prefertallandmodern the tastesofordinarypeople.Many predispositions ofmanyarchitectsand the considerabledistancebetween Create Street’sfindingsdemonstrate outweigh incomeeffects.Interestingly, supported. Collectivelytheygreatly Each oftheseeffectsishighly high-rise. • Mid-risebuildingsratherthan associated increaseinhappiness). commuting cancompletelyundothe • Greensuburbs(thoughthestressof large squares. • Smallsquaresratherthan • Buildingswithcolour. building designs. • ‘Traditional’ratherthan‘modern’ l l l l Low-rise The climate emergency Lower energy Lower maintenance Simpler, more robust, adaptable Lower embodiedcarbon Pro oranti-social Fear ofcrime Behavioural Satisfaction actually becomessustainable. very ecologicallyfriendlynewbuilding take 50yearsatleastbeforeevena the buildingsiteissolargethatitcould materials butoftransportingthemto should aimfor. almost impossibleambition.Butonewe almost fromthewordgo.Seeminglyan as toachieveazerocarbonfootprint materials whichabsorbcarbon,so re-use oldbuildings.Tousenatural What shouldbeourambition?To local environment. have sincetotallyoverpoweredthe more neighbouringhighriseswhich and taller,settingaprecedentfor2 to developerthebuildinggottaller and thedesignpassedfromdeveloper building. Butasthesitewassoldon completing theareawitha25storey heights anddensityonthecanalby side sitehehadsoughttoreduce master-planning anIslingtoncanal- had notbeenguiltless.Taskedwith Bennetts confessedthathehimself Total in high-rise Children’s progress social capital engagement Levels ofsocial and behaviour Levels ofcrime children problems for Suicide mental health more serious Depression and stress, optimism strain, Levels ofmental crowing, with home iationAssoc studies, 1962-2007 Create evidence Streets: from controlled l l l l l High-rise Much moreMuch costly Less adaptable Long term maintenance issues energy (egventilation)Higher More structure, cladding, lifts

number studies ‘bad’ Total 85 12 11 16 19 of 5 2 6 5 4 5 www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk high rise showing showing showing 100% 0% 100% 78% 12%11% 50% 92% 0% 50% 80% 50% 91% 9% 75% 13% 66% 21%11% %

50% 20% link 0% 0% no high rise ‘good’

50% 0% 8% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Tall Buildings Tall 5 FEATURE 6 Planning Applications FEATURE BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY of HMOs.There aretwomainpolicies: draft SPDaim topreventconcentrations The policyproposals oftheCouncil’s character ofanarea. area. Allofthesefactorscan change the thus reducingthesocialcohesion ofan involved withlocalcommunity issues might alsobelessinclinedto get they areshorttermoccupants, parking. ResidentsofHMOs,if from excessiveon-streetcar reduced highwaysafetyarising due tomoreoverlookingand loss ofprivacyforneighbours and recyclingmanagement, disturbance, unsightlywaste These canincludenoiseand there areconcentrationsofthem. from HMOsparticularlywhere harmful impactsoncommunities of tenure.However,therecanbe want orcannotaffordothertypes accommodation forpeopledonot providing flexible,shortterm element ofthehousingstock for students,areauseful HMOs, likeaccommodation and livingrooms. facilities likekitchens,bathrooms separately butsharecommon unrelated peoplewholive is occupiedbyanumberof HMO existswhereahouse document butessentiallyan of HMOsintheCouncil’s There isalegaldefinition www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk response canbereadon broad thrustoftheSPD.Our this issue.Wewelcomethe Guidance Document(SPD)on draft SupplementaryPlanning the Council’spublicationofa Society, therefore,welcomes Group’s (PAG)agendas.The items onthePlanningApplication houses intoHMOsareregular Proposals toconvertconventional each proposalaregiveninbrackets. Planning applicationreferencesfor (HMOs). in multipleoccupation dealing withhouses planning advicefor The Council’sdraft Applications Planning

Redcross Mews.Theproposalincludes upgradingRedcrossLane. regular itemsonthePlanningApplicationGroup’sagendas. Proposals toconvertconventionalhousesintoHMOsare of thedwellings within100metres concentration of HMOsexceeding10% • Proposalswhich wouldleadtoa sandwiched byHMOproposals; non-HMO housesfrombeing • Ifadopted,theywillaimto prevent recent issues. Group, highlightssome Planning Applications Bristol CivicSociety’s John Payne, Hill (19/06116/F). Windmill Public HouseatWindmill Grosvenor Road (19/06175/P)andthe Jamaica Inn(formerlyTheInkerman), over thelastfewmonthsinclude The replacement communityuse. Examples that apubisunviable,weseek a pub usebut,iftheCouncilis convinced usesandactivities. Protectingcommunity generally objectstotheloss of the Through PAG,theSociety demolition ofthepubbuilding. Sometimes thisalsoinvolvesthe to convertpubsintohousing. There iscontinuingpressure having aseparateentranceforit. the markethousingratherthan the affordablehousingwith applicants, however,tointegrate effectively. Wehaveurgedthe Market andusethesitefarmore both regeneratethispartofOld supported thisschemewhichwill Association, theSocietyhas with theOldMarketCommunity this narrowwalkway.Inliaison Lane toreduceitsimpacton steps downtowardsRedcross and thedesignofbuilding Old MarketandRedcrossStreet, upgrading RedcrossLane,linking bed flats.Theproposalincludes 1 and2bedflatsbutwithsome3 (19/06226/F). Theflatsaremainly flats including5affordableunits 4/5 storeybuildingcontaining34 vacant one-bedhouseswitha been proposedtoreplaceeight An imaginativedevelopmenthas RedcrossMews News ofapplications centres ofBristol. similar premisesinthesmaller accommodation aboveshopsand could includethecitycentreand be moreappropriate.Suchareas to indicatewhereHMOswould There isnoguidanceintheSDP accommodation innewHMOs. secure asatisfactorystandardof There arealsoproposalsto resisted. of aproposedHMOwouldbe from pub. Onceagain,theSocietyseeksto to theproposalsforWindmill There arenumerouslocalobjections occupants. offer verylittleopenspacetoits properties. Finally,theproposalwould bears littlerelationshiptosurrounding The greybrickworkproposedalso predominance oftwostoreybuildings. in anareawheretherewasa the threestoreybuildinginappropriate the BristolCivicSocietyalsoconsidered public houseuseatTheJamaicaInn, Besides objectingtothelossof of theGradeII*Listedchurchforuse Suffice ittosayherethattherestoration to thisdevelopment(seepage10). article inthisBetterBristolisdevoted supported bytheSociety.Another (19/05170/F) hasbeenenthusiastically Michael’s ChurchonStHill An extremelywelcomeproposalforSt and theneighbourhood. site tothedetrimentofitsoccupants and theplanwouldover-develop proposal isalsotoolargeforitslocation least acommunityuse.Thescaleofthe maintain thepublichouseuseorat pose toroadusers.Theseinclude and theincreaseddangertheywould terms oftheirharmfulvisualimpact has objectedstronglytothemallin digital screensinrecentmonthsand a numberoflarge6mx3mandover PAG hasconsideredapplicationsfor Conservation Area. St Michael’sHillandChristmasSteps appearance arealsobeneficialtothe long overdue.Theworkstorestoreits as adanceandperformancecentreis Digital advertisingscreens objected tobothofthescreens. Committee, manyofwhom by theDevelopmentControl permission, hasbeendeferred was recommendedfor (19/04821/A), oneofwhich Bridge onBathRoad screens nearTotterdown earlier applicationfortwo unknown atpresent.An decisions withtheoutcome have appealedagainstthe proposals buttheapplicants Council’s refusaloftheother Civic Societywelcomesthe under consideration.Bristol centre applicationisstill The CliftonDownshopping Circus carpark(19/04090/A). (19/05142/A) andCabot Newbridge Road,Netham shopping centre(20/00174/A), proposals forCliftonDown work isunderway. Mount Without. Restoration Left, StMichael’s onthe www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk

into housing. convert pubs pressure to continuing There is Jamaica Inn. Left, The

Planning Applications Planning 7 FEATURE MS G r oup John Frenkel, convenor of Bristol Civic Society’s Major Sites Group gives an overview.

MS G r oup MS Major Developments in Bristol 8 29 - 32 Portland Square, St 9 Paul’s (see Better Bristol issue 14,

Spring 2019.) DevelopmentsMajor This terrace of four houses has been Bristol’s longest running ‘building at risk’, blight. The Council has granted planning permission for student accommodation for the redevelopment of this site. The Society hopes that this scheme is built, the buildings remain at risk.

New Arts and Social Sciences Gardiner Haskings. The Society supports the Library, Hawthorns Hotel Site, redevelopment of this large and important site. Woodland Road, Clifton. Major Developments The Society supports the development Bristol University - Temple of a library on the former Hawthorns Meads Campus – student Hotel site but regrets that we cannot accommodation support this proposal which would be (see Better Bristol 15, Autumn 2019.) much larger than the library in the 2006 The University has planning Masterplan, which the Society supported. permission for student accommodation From a lower base, the Library would in three blocks that rise between 9 Permission was refused to University Hospitals Bristol for a new 820-place car park. be taller than the Senate House. The 29-32 Portland Square. Bristol’s longest running ‘building at risk’, blight. and 21 floors at Temple Island on the building would dwarf its neighbours BRI Marlborough Street This is both a very sensitive and a very aspects to which the Society objects. The south side of Cattle Market Road. which include the Grade II listed Bristol Bedminster Green (See Better popular area of the City. There are first objection is the loss of the former The Society was disappointed by the multi-storey car park Grammar School and would overbear Bristol 15, Autumn 2019.) (see Better Bristol, issue 14, Spring 2019.) the wonderful views to the Gorge, the Homecentre building on Straight Street, architecture. We considered the designs and dominate the upper parts of Elton Bedminster Green the name for a Suspension Bridge and to Ashton Court although the new building would retain to be anonymous and without local Permission was refused to University and Woodland Roads. The mass and development area on both sides of and the countryside beyond. There are the street façade. The Society supports character. There is no better place in Hospitals Bristol for a new 820-place height of the proposed building in the Malago Road between East Street many historic buildings and structures, the Old Market Community Association Bristol for a contemporary architecture car park. The Society opposed the the Woodland Road/Elton Road area, and the railway. The Society strongly not least The Floating Harbour and the and a landmark building. application because the scheme would however designed, would seriously (OMCA) who object to the loss of the supports redevelopment that would tobacco bonds. In addition, the area has fail to deliver the public benefits that damage the Conservation Area which building’s internal fabric. The OMCA transform east Bedminster. There is significant flooding problems. Bristol University - Temple the Trust claimed and further overload forms part of the University’s attraction. have shown how redevelopment could now an area planning framework to the local roads which are at a standstill The Society is not against change in convert the whole building to new use. coordinate development to blend this Meads Campus – academic for substantial periods every day. Western Harbour and we appreciate The former Gardiner Haskins We also object to a proposed 20-floor new residential quarter into the existing buildings that the elevated roads and the swing ‘Homecentre’ site, St Philip’s. residential tower at the south east corner urban fabric. Five developers own the The University has applied for planning of the site on the junction of Old Bread Western Harbour (land bridge require expensive maintenance. The Society supports the redevelopment development rights. Unfortunately, four permission for the detailed design of the Street and New Kingsley Road. developers have made uncoordinated around the Cumberland Basin) We should like to see the detailed costs of this large and important site that new academic buildings. The Society planning approaches to develop separate The Society is very concerned about and justification for not repairing the includes a car park. The redevelopment supports the design of the two buildings The Arc, Millennium Square plots with buildings that range up to existing bridge before we even consider would convert the Grade II listed and their setting. The larger building the City Council’s approach to Western 16 floors to contain flats and student the alternatives. Soapworks Building into flats and also If the development does not harm the breaks down into several buildings Harbour which is not following its own accommodation. The Society has deliver, offices, an apartment hotel, and critical views of the Cathedral, the separated by courtyards within a guidance for involving local communities There may be scope to release land for supported the Windmill Hill and Malago Society supports the proposal to erect glass curtain wall of different colours/ during pre application discussions and development but in our view the scale retail/food units. A planning gain would Group (WHAM) who desire regeneration a moving observation capsule beside textures with mirror glass sections. negotiations. We will continue to press of development will be significantly be new north-south and east-west routes but oppose schemes that overdevelop the Grade II listed, ‘We Are Curious’ The Society has two major concerns. for more transparency and for more constrained. The Society is currently that would connect with two internal the sites. Two planning applications are The local road system is already above involvement by the Society itself. waiting for further information. courtyards. However, there are two former Canon’s Marsh railway goods now refused and a third developer’s shed. The capsule would look like a planning enquiry discouraged because capacity many times of day. Although London Eye flight cabin and hold 42 the schemes have sought to ‘maximise’ the University plans to minimise vehicle passengers. After the capsule rises rather than ‘optimise’ density and do access to the new campus, it must to its ‘flying height’ it would move not achieve the planning policy goals of produce additional traffic, including through a full circle to give passengers successful placemaking, quality design buses, that will incrementally increase an eye-level view 69 metres above the and liveability. The Society would like to traffic density. There appears to be no Square of the Harbour and beyond. The think that the developers can reconsider funding for two planned pedestrian promoters calculate that the Arc could and produce schemes that WHAM and bridges to integrate the campus with the attract 250,000 passengers a year. the Society could welcome. east bank of the River Avon. These are the edited highlights of some concentrate on city centre developments Items on the Society’s website have of the city’s development activity. which affect the greatest number of links to the Society’s full responses. It is critical for the Society to meet residents and where local representation The MSG meets every six weeks. The developers of large projects early in is weakest. The Society supports Group needs new members. Please the design process. MSG tends to development and modern architecture. contact [email protected]. Left, Western Harbour. The Society is critical of the administrative process. Right, Bristol University Library. The building would dwarf its neighbours. BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk 10 The Bristol Arena FEATURE BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY very tryingcircumstances. their veryprofessionalpresentation–in We weregratefultothearchitectsfor concern. left hangingandgaveusallcausefor long termproject?Thequestionwas risks attachedtosuchacomplexand should beinvolvedinanywaywiththe question ofwhethertheCityCouncil The meetingdidraisethefundamental the site? being temperedbytheconstraintsof project? Orwastheambitionalready enough toaccommodatethisambitious Was theproposedsitereallylarge anyway! Arena –whichwefounddifficulttosee we gotontotheactualdesignof were hotlydebated.Andallthisbefore loading bays,parking–alltheseissues lorries? Lorrymanoeuvring,numberof acts withtheirlegionsofarticulated this constrictedsiteaccommodatelarge Questions wereunexpected.Howcould across well. clearly buttheoverallmessagecame laptops. Challengingtoseetheimages lively presentationsimplyusingtheir Clegg rosetothechallengeandgavea project architectsPopulousandFeilden not connecttotheprojector.Eventually crowd wassparse,thelaptopswould not gowell!Therainwastorrential,the Arena proposalsatTempleMeadsdid The talkwearrangedtolearnaboutthe Brunswick Square May 2016UnitarianChapel, The BristolArena by Civic Societyevents A taleoftwoBristol SimonBirch. rather remotecorneroftheformer crowds actuallygetthere–tothis challenge remained–howwillthe and historicbuilding.Butthekey Great useofanotherwiseproblematical manoeuvre andtoaccessloadingdocks. articulated lorrieswithamplespaceto activities and,ofcourse,forallthose of spaceforassociatedrecreational within thecentralhangar.Plenty 17,000 capacityvenueaccommodated presentations! Wellarguedcasefora and tested–presumablybymanysuch needed toaccessthehangars,ITtried limited bythecapacityofcoach A presentationandavisit.Numbers The BrabazonHangar.Itissimplyimmense.PhotoTedFowler. Hangar, Filton February 2020Brabazon ambitious project? site reallylargeenough toaccommodatethis Left, TempleIsland Arena.Wastheproposed tickets assoontheBrabazon opens. I willdefinitelybegettingin linefor and constructiongoesahead asplanned, Assuming difficultdecisions aremade superb arena! provide thesettingforanabsolutely words. It’ssimplyimmense.Itwould structure isimpossibletoconveyin Brabazon hangar–thesheersizeof awestruck whenwalkingintothe I alsoadmittoafeelingofbeing comfort zone. with aprojectwayoutsideitsusual about theCityCouncilgettinginvolved those lorriesand,morefundamentally, the Arena–nomoreworriesaboutall the Mayormadehisdecisionabout I mustadmittoafeelingofreliefwhen one though. to theCityCentre.Noanswerthat Stadium andtheArenalocatedsoclose public venueswiththePrincipality Cardiff wasatplanningsuchlarge Some mentionedhowmuchbetter new railwaystation. being extendedandwithplansfora numerous nearbysites,withMetrobus new housingalreadybeingbuilton in thepaceofchangethisareawith Filton Airfield?Partoftheanswerlies Reflections I conservation architect. working withQuentinAlder, Weston Housefame,whois Norman Routledge,ofKings owned bylocalbusinessman life. Thechurchisnow fire thereissignificantnew years onfromthatdisastrous and tried tested associates. directly andbring withthemexpertise companies, individuals areemployed out totenderandemploying specialist of preparingbillsquantities, going carrying outtheactualwork. Instead renovation isNorman’sapproach to But thereallyinterestingaspect ofthe coated zinc. from thechurch-inthiscasebronze- extension usingverydifferentmaterials accommodated inasemi-circular Provision fortheliftwillbe chairs andotheritems. provide aliftforaccessandmoving headroom. Andthereisaneedto half ametretoprovidethenecessary to lowerthecryptfloorbyaround and otherfacilities.Thereisaneed building byprovidingstorage,toilets is criticaltothefutureoperationof As aconsequence,theuseofcrypt wide rangeofotheractivitiesandevents. underfloor heating.Idealfordanceanda be acompletelyflat,sprungfloorwith partitions andotherclutter.Therewill to keepthenaveandaislesfreeof St Michael’shasbeentheobjective component oftheapproachtorestoring Quentin emphasisesthatafundamental Mount Without St Michael’s onthe North roof. Some threeandahalf the ashesofSt.Michael’s! the phoenixarisingfrom t ishearteningtoreporton New andoldtimbers. each window measuring 14’x5’.In for acitychurch theseareallverylarge, new leadedwindows. Notsurprisingly with twofriends,allbusyfabricating working alongsidehiswife, together When IvisitedStMichael’s Benwas customers.** glass expert,mostlyfordomestic chimney sweepandasaleaded Now Benworksbothasatraditional Creative GlassGuildinFeederRoad. Specialist suppliesarepurchasedfrom and restoredit.Thatwas5yearsago! were tooexpensive.Bentookithome being thrownoutastherepairquotes damaged stainedglassdoorwhichwas where thehouseholderhadabadly was workingatapropertyinBristol Ben hasbeenachimneysweepand by BenBeech,originallyfromDerby. leaded windowsisbeingmasterminded Inside thechurchtaskofrestoring timber ontheroof! timbers. Andplaced14tonnesof fir –Englandsourced.Sameasoriginal Ollie describeshowheusedDouglas some ofthesurvivingtimbers eighteenth centurypit-sawntimberin It’s possibletoseetheoriginal king posttrussroofhasbeenfabricated. where acompletelynewtraditional of theworkhasbeenonnorthroof company basedinFrome*.Themajority Ollie hasrecentlyestablishedhisown assist atStMichael’s Ollie isbringinginknownassociatesto framed buildings.Wheneverrequired commercial companycreatingtimber for 8yearsasatimberframerwith employed andhaspreviouslyworked at KingsWestonHouse.Ollieisself UWE, whomethiswifewhenworking aged 34,withageographydegreefrom fire damagedroofisOllieWhitmore, Undertaking thetaskofrebuilding http://www.quentinalder.co.uk/ ** [email protected] eastsomersettimberframecarpentryco.co.uk/ *http://www. current situationthishasbeencanceled. Tuesday 2ndJune.STOPPRESS.Dueto Civic Society’sAGMinthenavefor As anactoffaithwehavebookedthe Michael’s openinMay,yesthisyear! Norman isplanningtohaveSt and makingthecryptfitforpurpose. colleague, repairingtheroofparapets Mark isworkingwithhissonanda in renovatingthemanyoldbuildings. Bristol duringthe1980sasinterestgrew aged just17.Theworkreallytookoffin 37 yearsinthetradehavingstarted experienced stonemasonwithsome use isMarkAtwill.avery with makingthecryptfitforfuture Working inthecryptandcharged make; quiteachallenge! total thereare18ofthesewindowsto Leaded glasswindowsbeingprepared. Simon Birch. skills, writes of specialist requires arange underway and Restoration is www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk rebuilding Whitmore damaged

the fire- Ollie roof.

St Michael’s St 11 FEATURE 12 Photography FEATURE C BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY to showhowphotographycan architectural explorationandasked Practice theyweregivenabriefon year moduleonExploratory University). Aspartofasecond- (in partnershipwithPlymouth photos ofAshtonCourtMansion. Mount WithoutandClaudia’s photos ofStMichael’sonthe heritage. HereweseeCallum’s in preservingourarchitectural be usedasamediumforchange photography students. Callum Sinclair,twolocal of ClaudiaFeherand to showcasethework Better Bristolispleased Below, photobyClaudiaFeher. Above, photobyCallumSinclair. architectural heritage Preserving our at CityofBristolCollege Professional Photography currently studying laudia andCallumare

state. their current documenting rather than former glory to showtheir buildings, trying in oldrun-down and seesbeauty Bristol recently She movedto from Hungary. Claudia is36and See page11.Ed.) very muchloved! building. (Now but unloved show abeautiful monochrome to Here heuses and youth. usually fashion His subjectsare from Taunton. Callum is21and Claudia Feher. Left, photoby Callum Sinclair. Above, photoby

Below, photosbyCallumSinclair. Above andright,photosbyClaudiaFeher.

www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk

Photography 13 FEATURE 13 Led by Bristol City Council and Bristol FEAT U RE Energy, City Leap will establish a joint venture with an as-yet-to-be- Innovate and determined organisation (or group of U RE FEAT organisations) to support the delivery The Council decides of the UK’s first carbon neutral city. The 14 hunt for a long-term partner began last 15 collaborate for a year, and with the procurement stage underway, the council continues to Air Plan Clean shortlist prospective partners through a on a Clean Air Plan Bristol is now in the first RK EASTVILLE competitive scoring process. Is it worth

REDLAND Church Tesco Church Church Eastville Eastgate year of its decade-longMarket Centre Church Once established, City Leap will having?, asks carbon Next Church IKEA Redland Hospital Church Climbing Centre Church countdown to carbon support the city’s carbon neutral Alan Morris. St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School & CC ambitions, build strong partnerships, THE neutrality. Samantha Nicol, DOWNS create local jobs and empower The decision Church ST. WERBURGHS Redland Park Church neutralChurch Elmgrove Centre Head of Innovation at communities to play an active role in Montpelier Redland Sports Centre Library Bristol’s Clean Air Montpelier Health Centre Stapleton transforming Bristol’s energy system. Bristol Energy,R oad describes Plan was decided in MONTPELIER

Polish RC EASTON Church November 2019. The Library Tyndale Charlotte

Climate Strategy Climate Church Baptist Church three city-wideKeel initiatives. Malcolm X Health Clifton Down Centre Centre Heat Networks Station Church WHITEHALL earlier consultation had Clifton Down The Limes Church Nursery Shopping BristolSalvation Army SPEEDWELL Centre Bristol Citadel Zoo asked for views on two ST. PAULS Bristol City Council Bristol’s Heat Network is a prime N Church Church Heat Networks options, a medium area Kingsdown Church example of the city taking direct climate Church Sports Centre

E D COTHAM A

N E In Development Energy Centre M

O zone in which older diesel R

E action and working innovatively for a H T CLIFTON TA Centre Circomedia St Pauls DOWN BBC Proposed Energy Centre Church Church commercial vehicles are Redgrave greener future. Bristol City Council’s Library Theatre Clifton University of Bristol Holiday Cathedral (RC) Inn Easton Leisure Westbourne Bristol Libra ry Heart Centre Institute Installed Energy Centre CLIFTON Hotel Magistrates Court St Nicholas of charged, and a small area Sports Bristol Premier Bus Depot Church Centre St Michaels Bus/Coach Inn Torentino REDFIELD Heat Network is an innovative system University of Bristol Hospital Royal Station Church Clifton Senate House In rma ry Lawrence Hill Hotel Church Cabot Circus Library Victoria Church Dental Installed Heating Pipe Rooms University Hospital Eye zone in which all diesel RWA A rt Hospital Future The Trinity Christ Gallery Childrens John Wesl eys T of underground pipes that transports H Inn Centre E Hospital P Church Chapel R O Avondale M EN AD Church Oce E Quakers Old Market Network - Phase 1 (B.C.C.) St Michael ’s Friars cars are banned between Observatory & Church St Patricks Camera Obscura Students Hotel Centre hot water from different sources to Union Du Vin The Galleries University University Cinema Old Market Network - Phase 2/3 Museum & 7am and 3pm each day. Art Galle ry Christmas The Arcade Steps Church Hotel homes and businesses in order to Clifton Suspension Theatre Redclie Network - Phase 1 Bridge Hosp Hotel Hotel St. Peters Red Lodge Guildhall Church Neither option reduced St Ma ry Church Ambulance on the Register University Station Quay Oce Beam Street Social Services, heat them, much like a radiator for Colston Church Crown Court THE DINGS Health Oce & Training Centre Clifton Libra ry Hall Redclie Network - Phase 2/3 St Stephen’s Corn Street Central Clinic St Georges Markets air pollution below legal Chester eld Bishops Hospital House Cabot Tower Bristol St Lukes with Avon Gorge Church Lead Shot Christ Church the whole city. It replaces the need Hotel CENTRE Tower St Pauls Network - Phase 1 Avon Wildlife Lord Hippodrome limits soon enough, so St Anne's House Centre Brunel House Fire Mayors Station (B.C.C.) Goldney Chapel Radison St Thomas Hall Blu the Martyr for individual buildings to have their City Hall Hotel Bristol Church St Pauls Network - Phase 2/3 Old Vic Temple Barton Hill the decision was to go for Theatre Hotel Church Trading Estate Dance Hotel Centre Cathedral City Inn BARTON Central Watershed own heating systems, and often uses Hotel Temple Network - In Development Library Media ST. ANNES Centre HILL both options combined – Travelodge Novotel Hotel Bristol We the Centre TEMPLE heat recovered from industry or from Curious City Centre Network - In Development Hotel Hotel Ibis QUAY a ‘hybrid’ option. Showcase © Bristol City Council BD11674 Cinema Temple renewable sources. Arnol ni Meads ss Great Britain Station Hollywood & The Brunel Thekla Bowl Institute Lloyds TSB The local and national St Ma ry Holiday Inn Redclie Hotel The Matthew Bristol’s Heat Network currently M Shed Hotel ST. PHILIPS AVON media picked up the story, focusing on has made concessions to take Plimsoll Spike Island CREATE & Artspace MARSH MEADS Bristol Record Oce supplies over 1,000 properties with St Anne's the diesel car ban, which no other city Church Bridge and the main Cabot Circus car affordable, low-carbon heat from a has adopted. Zion House park out of the diesel car ban zone. Garden Centre Church variety of sources across the city and SOUTHVILLE Library Politically, it does not look good Southville Centre The plan is projected to cost a Asda RNIB Holy Cross RC Church continues to expand to new areas across staggering £113m to implement, much making an exemption for Cabot Circus The Tobacco city’s green energy supplier, and Bristol Factory ristol’s One City Sainsbury's Bristol the city. Bristol Energy is developing an South Pool Energy Network, who represent many of it from the government, assuming but not for the BRI, but the BRI is at BOWER ASHTON H.T.V. offer with an ambition to become the Climate Strategy* was Studios a pollution hotspot. Hospital visitors BEDMINSTER community energy-focused groups that they approve the plan. And it will Bedminster Church Federation of City Farms Bristol City & Community Gardens city’s heat retailer of choice. F. C. St Cuthberts launched by the One across the city. Church be a major project for the Council to will be able to apply for an exemption St Peters Methodist Church ACTA WINDMILL undertake, absorbing resources that for their car so that the number plate is HILL Their aim is to ensure that they protect Library City Environmental ARNO'S VALE David Lloyd Energy efficiency might otherwise be applied elsewhere. exempted by the ANPR cameras. The Fitness Centre what makes Bristol special, while BSustainability Board in making the city an even better place Bristol Energy Network and Bristol Energy All this is the consequence of the council is discussing with the BRI how vehicle emissions scandal in which to improve bus services to the hospital. February 2020. It describes a to live and work, and ensuring that are working to encourage home and In some areas pollution is more than 50% manufacturers fiddled the tests, and generations to come can live sustainably business owners and businesses to make higher than the prescribed limit. The council has checked the modelling pathway for Bristol to become in a zero-carbon future Bristol. the subsequent pressure by the EU and their homes and offices energy efficient. This ‘sticking plaster’ Clean Air Plan results at places outside the zones to carbon neutral and climate Client Earth to take action. answer concerns about displacement of Here we look at just three of the city-wide The Bristol Energy Network member, is welcome, but it is not the whole pollution. More work is being done on resilient by 2030 – a highly initiatives where groups are collaborating: award-winning C.H.E.E.S.E (Cold answer. The climate emergency Is it worth it? mitigations to ease the impact for some Homes Energy Efficiency Survey declaration and the 2030 zero carbon ambitious goal, 20 years ahead City Leap of those affected – exemptions and Experts) Project is an example of this. It Despite the diesel car ban, the projected target require a radical change in of the UK Government. date for compliance with legal limits is scrappage schemes. And the Council The ambitious City Leap initiative is offers low cost thermal imaging surveys transport in the city. It would be better as late as 2025, later than other cities. needs to negotiate with government It says ‘Our analysis shows that to a strategic partnership that will bring to identify where a home is losing heat to have a joined-up plan to tackle air The extensive and complex modelling to fund them. Government approval become carbon neutral we need to £1bn worth of investment into new and provides suggestions for remedies pollution, congestion and the climate shows that Bristol has a problem with a was due by end January 2020 and the replace the estimated 160,000 gas boilers energy projects to create a cleaner, to encourage energy efficiency. emergency. What is needed is a general few particular city centre streets – other council’s full business case was due across the city with electric heat pumps greener, healthier city. reduction in single-user vehicles so that supplied by renewable Now is the time for places reach compliance earlier. by February 2020. Both are behind businesses, communities our narrow city centre roads can meet schedule. The projected March 2021 electricity or carbon neutral The 20% to 30% improvement in NOx and individuals to make the travel demand whilst minimising implementation date may be missed. district heating’. air pollution by 2025 comes as much green choices, support local air and noise pollution. from ongoing fleet changes as from the The Council is developing its strategy Together, Bristol based carbon reduction initiatives businesses, community immediate impact of the measures. The to meet the 2030 zero carbon target, and tackle the climate Further work organisations and Bristol diesel car ban may apply only to the but it remains to be seen whether the emergency. City Council are working inner city, but it will affect car buying Since November, the Council has transport plan is strong enough. * https://www.bristolonecity. listened to specific concerns, such as to help the city achieve our decisions wider than that. The value You can keep up to date on the Clean those of city centre destinations like decarbonisation targets. Key com/wp-content/ of the Clean Air Plan is the highly Air Plan via the Bristol Civic Society’s members are Bristol City uploads/2020/02/one-city- visible message that vehicles need to be the BRI hospital and the SS Great website: bristolcivicsociety.org.uk. Council, Bristol Energy, the The aim is to protect what makes Bristol special. climate-strategy.pdf changed to reduce harmful emissions. Britain visitor attraction. The Council BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk 16 Circus Skills FEATURE M BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY one’s mind. visit toacircususuallysticksin excitement andthrillofthefirst on DurhamDowns.Thefun, tops whichperiodicallysetup the brightlycoveredBigCircus event, orbemorefamiliarwith or perhapsattendafestival with NellytheElephantsong, Dumbo ormighthumalong they offerhasmuchchangedinrecent circuses operateandtheentertainment recent years.Butthewayinwhich and MoscowStatehavevisitedin travelling circusshows,CircusBerlin Bristol continuestoattractthebig and howtheformatisevolving,muchhappeningininfluentialBristol. entertainment, NicBillanetakesalookatthehistoryoftraditionalcircus Performing artsinthecityembracesawidespectrumofactivityand Roll upforthecircus! Disney cartoon may recallthe young andolder any Bristolians, clowns tocreatecrowd-pleasing entertainers suchasacrobatsand his repertoire,bringingotherskilled horse ridingtricks.Astleyexpanded in anamphitheatreforthedisplayof invented theideaofapublicshow eighteenth centuryinLambethLondon, Astley, whointhelaterpartof to aBritishcavalryofficerPhilip modern circusformatisoftencredited a fewcenturies,thecreationof combat wereontheagenda.Skipping chariot racesandgladiatorial spectacular forumswhere Romans offeredtheircitizens distant pasttheGreeksand history. Inthedimand But firstabitofbackground entertainments. are gone,replacedbyother animals, lions,elephantsetc. and acrobats,butthelarge be seenalongwithclowns, decades, thebigtopmaystill Circomedia, founded in1993,isacentreforcontemporary circusandphysicaltheatre. Evening classesareopentoavettedgeneralpublic. and townsacrosscontinentswastaken tour bytheroad,railandseatocities a supportingcastofexoticanimalson the ideaoftakingalargecircuswith till theendoftwentiethcentury, During thenineteenthcenturyandup universal formatuntilthe1970s. established, andremainedalmostthe acts, usuallysettomusic,wasquickly a ringmastertointroducevarietyof variety shows.Thetraditionofhaving year. Recreational classesandtraining strongly, with 12,000attendancesinthe Circomedia Youth Circusisdeveloping their workinfrontofanaudience. The a numberofopportunitiesto testout Richard Award,givingemerging artists ticket pricescratchnightsand the performances. Circomediahosts low year andover15student youth 30 professionalperformancesa Circomedia in2018/19putsonabout The DevelopmentAgencypartof of circusindustryshows. great jobsinproductionanddirection completing theirMAshavesecured Degree course.Recentlysixstudents With afurther46studentsintwoyear attracting over60studentsin2018/19. numbers aresignificant,BTECcourse Circus intheworld.Studentenrolment to offertheonlyMAinDirecting with BathSpaUniversity),andclaims in circustheUK(inpartnership two FoundationandBAdegrees of only BTEC inCircustheUK,providesone education throughtheonly2year Academy atKingswoodoffers from thecircus.TheCircomedia transformational experiencesarising to betheUK’scentreforresearchand also inKingswood.Theirobjectiveis Paul’s Church,PortlandSquareand theatre, basedinthecitycentreSt for contemporarycircusandphysical was foundedin1993,andisthecentre concept ofschoolforcircus.Circomedia based inStPauls,whichintroducedthe Fool TimeCompany(1986),originally grew fromtherootsofnowdefunct In BristoltheCircomediacompany performers. performing arts,forinstancestreet of stylisticinfluencesfromother performances, andinthedevelopment qualified circuspersonnel,onhuman is tofocusonthetrainingofhighly the circusformat.Thenewapproach industry’s futureandintherevivalof a surprisinglyinfluentialroleinthe animals. InterestinglyBristolisplaying sympathy fortraditionalperforming market expectationsandperhaps have movedon,drivenbychanging The circusworldandtheactsoffered museums andcircusesincludingBristol. throughout theUKintheatres, anniversary ofthecircuswascelebrated and GerryCottle.In2018the250th names likeBillySmart,BertramMills century wasdominatedbyhousehold The Britishcircussceneinthetwentieth in follow-uptoursperiod1902-4. during the1891/92UKtourandagain enthusiastic receptionfromBristolians Wild West Show toured and received an also immenselypopular,BuffaloBill’s Barnum. WildWestcircusshowswere USA bycircusentrepreneurslikeP.T. to agrandscaleparticularlyinthe Circomedia offertheonly2yearBTECinCircusUK needs ofthe60 membershipgroupof space andequipment suitableforthe facility which provides acircustraining station, nowrenamed‘TheIsland’ isa Located intheformerBridewell Police throughout Europe. to improvethelevelofcircus teaching years. In2019theyreceived EU funding EU’s Erasmusprogrammeover recent company hasbeeninvolvedwiththe City organisation,&Glastonbury.The clients likeBristolOldVic,Circus to fullscalecircusextravaganzasfor productions fromtheatricalexperiences Their combinedoutputisavarietyof into adynamiccreativeenergy. artists, performers,actors&directors drawing togetheradiverserangeof spaces. Itisorganisedasacommunity, carnivals, andindependentcreation up inartsfestivals,streetperformances, troupe. TheInvisibleCircushasgrown lies initsrootsasastreetperformance British Festivals.Thecompany’sethos performs internationallyandatmajor out inStokesCroft2002,andtoday company wascreatedin1991,starting now basedinSussexStreetBS20.The based companyistheInvisibleCircus, Another intriguinglytitledBristol- the BottleYardStudioinSouthBristol. £million), tomovefromKingswood announced subjecttofundraising(3-4 the year.Expansionplanshavebeen 60 peopleonthepayrollthroughout by providingpaidworkwithover contributing toBristol’seconomy circus, theatreanddancecompanies, and arelinkedwith25professional developing newandqualifiedtalent, popular. Sothecompanyisdoingwell sessions foradultsarealsoproving Billy Smart,BertramMills in thetwentiethcentury The Britishcircusscene household nameslike was dominatedby and GerryCottle.

much alive. the circusasan entertainmentisvery to bethecircuscapitalof UK,and Probably nowadaysBristol can claim out forthenextonein2021. drama, music,film,anddance. Look premieres highlightingcircus skillsin new performancesandworld has somethingforeveryone,attracting international family).Theprogramme from acrossEurope(circusisan together circusandstreetperformers circus performances.Theeventbrings festival isdedicatedtocontemporary October/November thebiennial festival. Overthelastsixyearsaround Bristol hostsitsown“CircusCity” trapeze practicecanbefound. 15 wherelargerequipmentforhigh Albany CentreinStPauls,andUnit professional circustraininginclude of companiesbutotherspacesfor scene. Spacedoesn’tpermitafulllist find employmentinthewidercircus well overathousandpeopleinBristol opportunities andJaneestimatesthat provide greatperformance Womad, andmanyothers.Festivals home offestivalssuchasGlastonbury, West duringthesummermonthsis magnet forperformersandtheSouth Bristol, beingtheregionalcapital,isa attracted localgovernmentsupport. the explosioninfestivalsandsoon to growintheearly2000s,drivenby and explainedthatintereststarted the Bristolcircusandfestivalscene facility, isveryknowledgeableabout Jane Hartoch,whoadministratesthe skills andisprovingverypopular. circus fitness,flexibilityandbalance general publictopracticevarious Evening classesareopentoavetted silk sheetsusedtowrapanddescend). trapeze, hoopsandCordeLizze(aerial acrobatic equipmentwithropes,static who trainandpracticetheirskillson classes areprovidedforthecoregroup performers. Duringthedaytimeto2-3 professional andserioushobbyistcircus www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk

www.circomedia.com

Circus Skills Circus 17 FEATURE 18 Music venues under threat FEATURE S BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY everywhere, friendly,charminganda like Bristoltobe-creative,busy,people of humanproportion.Thisishowwe and housesi.e.low-rise,individual businesses andtypicalBristolianshops its stretchofcheerfulindependent onward towardGloucesterRoadwith leading upthroughStokesCroftand characterful architectureofthestreet Barton roundaboutratherthanthe plans tothebrutalismofStJames end, matchingtheirhideousbuilding always seemtogettheirwayinthe turned downbythecouncil,developers the buildingofstudentaccommodation the pastandplanningapplicationsfor Despite communityprotestnowandin was thenightclub’Clockwork’. and theholeingroundwhich Centre andSebrightPrinters, former AvonandBristolLaw the doomedbuildingsof created allaroundit,alongside wasteland thatadeveloperhas years. Itstandsforlornlyinthe night timeeconomyformany scene andacontributortothe and saveBristol’snightlife,says Music venuesareunderthreat.Wemustbevigilant venues underthreat Bristol nightlifeand © KhaliAckford. Deep MediWeekender part oftheBristolmusic has beenanintegral Mountain nightclub tokes Croft’sBlue

the siteofdevastationcausedby Clockwork, apopularnightclubon against theclosureanddemolitionof signature petitionwaspresented march throughthecityandan8,000 On 12thApril2008therewasaprotest cultural life. and acentreforBristol’screative attraction forlocalsandvisitorsalike graffitied anarchisticglory,isamajor its character.StokesCroft,inall tunnel ofthishighstreet,famousfor Full Moon(c.1716),creatingawind block builtrightnextdoortoThe need isahugestudentaccommodation cleaning upabitbutthelastthingwe environment. Yes,StokesCroftneeds of whatBristolpeoplelikeabouttheir Blue Mountainistheexactopposite block plannedtobebuiltontopof in theair.Thestudentaccommodation with strainsofmusicandconversation window boxes,mirrorsandwindows, little bitedgy,aboho;treesand Annie McGann. uncoupled from StokesCroftandset intend, Bristol’s nightlifewillbe Mountain bites thedustasdevelopers yet anyway.IfLakotagoesand Blue Croft isnotaresidentialarea –not in establishedresidentialareas? Stokes more freepartiesandhouse partynoise Mountain gosurelythiswill leadto Cotham butwhenLakotaand Blue about studentpartiesinRedlandand all aroundthem.Residentscomplain to closedcommunitieswithdeadzones neighbourhoods intowhatboilsdown music andcultureturningour into streetsthatarehometoBristol of StPaul’sandnowitiscreeping with planningpermissioninthearea there’s alotofstudentaccommodation Despite thecounciltryingtofenditoff, let theirhairdown. somewhere tobe,meettheirclanand and socialise.Youngpeopleneed Communities needplacestogather bar ornightclubanywhereonanyplan. there’s notapuborsocialspace new developmentalloverthecity in Bristolisparamount.Withallthe The survivalofindependentvenues of thenighttimeworkforce. communities whomakeupagreatdeal people andblackethnicminority disproportionally impactsonyoung the Bristolfamily’stablehereandthis economy. We’retalkingaboutfoodon business diminishesthesejobsandthat Closing thisandthatvenue the nighttimeeconomyinBristol. Thousands ofpeopleworkwithin shut downtherewouldbeuproar. a chainofshopsorfactorybeing and lightindustry.Ifnightlifewas been employmentland,mixedretail memory, StokesCrofthasalways supplying fliersandposters.Inliving clubs andpromoterswhenitcameto shop nextdoorwhichservedlocal up andcloseddownSebrightprint opposition. Thedeveloperevenbought let themdowhattheywantwithout to getthecommunitygiveinand war; acommonployofdevelopers like thebombsiteithadbeenafter razed tothegroundandleftlooking 1941. DespiteprotestsClockworkwas the GoodFridayraidonApril12th dropping ofanincendiarybombduring taken tosoundproofdevelopment by theirhigh-risenature.Measures to thefunnellingacousticscreated the soundissuesmoreacutedue all aroundMotion.Thiswillmake intention istoconstructtallbuildings hope isthatotherswillfollow.The these issuesseriouslyandthe Only onedevelopersofaristaking and thisputsMotioninperil. of usesurroundinglandisgranted Philips formanyyearsbutnowchange middle oftheindustrialzoneSt a greatdealofnoiseatnightinthe Motion hasbeenhappilymaking to lobbyfortheirprojectsdaily. fighting offdeveloperswhocanafford premier nightclub,Motion,stands out towardStPhilip’swhereBristol’s off todriftacrossBroadmeadand the ground. was razedto Clockwork protests Despite Far right, Cowper. Heather Photo Clockwork. Right, KōLAB Studios-AboveBeyond©KhaliAckford. need totakeastandmake and pubsclosingacrossthe sure thatBristoldoesn’tgo UK atanalarmingrate,we Withmusicvenues,clubs the samewayassomany other townsandcities.

disagreeable. Soundproofingofthe in apartyzoneiftheyfindthisprospect proofing measurestocounteractliving will needextremelyeffectivesound be saidthatanyneighbourtoMotion sound leveltestsourselvesandithasto Bristol Nightlifehaveundertaken listed buildingfromunderthem.Save shaft MotionandbuytheGradeII do everythingintheirpowertosimply allowing thisprecedenttobesetand developers havenointentionof It comesasnosurprisethatmost the easement. be boundbyandsubjecttothetermsof Surrounding properties/landwould as havebeenestablishedbylonguse. venue toemitsoundsatsuchtimes formalise therightofidentified of aDeedEasementtosecureand Such aproposalentailstheexecution attract needstobeacknowledged. the tensofthousandsvisitorsthey their contributiontotheeconomyand existence ofestablishedmusicvenues, the areaneedstobeassessed,and own isnotenough.Thecharacterof new ‘AgentofChange’policyonits of aDeedEasementbecausethe encouraged, alongsidethesuggestion and safeguardmusicvenuesistobe for Bristol’screativeandculturallife. locals andvisitorsalikeacentre Stokes Croftisamajorattractionfor vigilant andSaveBristolNightlife. venues areunderthreat.Wemustbe many othertownsandcities.Ourmusic Bristol doesn’tgothesamewayasso need totakeastandmakesurethat across theUKatanalarmingrate,we music venues,clubsandpubsclosing grassroots musicscenecanthrive.With to putonentertainmentandwherethe space wherepeoplecanworktogether availability ofdancefloorcapacityand Bristol’s nightlifereliesonthe to existsidebyside. the nightclubandnewdevelopment new buildingswillbecrucialtoenable community insideout. time industry,music,clubs,pubsand it herbusinesstoknowBristol’snight- and Licensingsub-committee.Shemakes subcommittee aswellthePlanning on theNightBoard’sSafetyandAccess Bristol AtNightadvisoryboard.She’s City Council’s of the Bristol andamember Deputy ChairofNightWatch/24hr Bars andIndependentEstablishments, the BristolAssociationofRestaurants, Leighton DeBurca.She’sontheboardof Nightlife campaignalongsideherfriend Annie McGannrunstheSaveBristol

www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk

Music venues under threat under venues Music 19 FEATURE 20 SS Great Britain FEATURE S BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY huge assettothecity. “It wasdetermined, touseahomely historian John Latimertartlyobserved: Bristol’s great nineteenth century stole Bristol’slead. While IKBwasfaffingabout, others plans acoupleoftimes. features whichinvolvedtearing upthe incorporating severalnewtechnical But no.Hebuiltonehugeleviathan other ports,especiallyLiverpool. business ithadlongsincebeenlosingto would Bristolregainsomeofthe passenger portforAmerica,andthus Thus wouldBristolbecomethemain similar ships? was surelytobuildtwoorthreemore step, aseveryoneknewperfectlywell, practicable andsafe,thenextlogical that transatlanticsteamnavigationwas After Brunel’sGreatWestern case inpoint. with goodreason.SSGreatBritainwasa weren’t nearlysoenthusiastic-and Many ofourVictorianforebears feats, notleastthatgreatship! to Paddington!Andhismanyother The beautifully-engineeredrailwayline at thelovelyCliftonSuspensionBridge! Kingdom Brunelwasagreatguy.Look Nowadays weallthinkIsambard opposite. she didusnofavoursatall.Quitethe In hertimeasaworkingship,though, epic adventure,andattheroleshipplaysinBristoltoday. got badnewsforyou–itwas50yearsagothisyear. and thegreatdaywhenshejourneyedbackupAvontoCityDocks,we’ve If youcanvividlyrememberwhentheSSGreatBritainarrivedatAvonmouth, SS GreatBritain has provedherselfa Brunel’s SSGreatBritain return toBristolin1970, ince hertriumphant proved passion forexperimentsandnovelties. full scopeandleisuretoindulgehis Great Western,andtoleaveMr.Brunel ship nearlythreetimesthecapacityof into onebaskettobuild,infact,asingle proverb, toputallthecompany’seggs this moment.” beached hulk in theFalklandIslandsat forefather ofall modernships,islyinga by IsambardKingdomBrunel. This,the Great Britain,designedandlaunched driven entirelybyapropeller wasthe steamship andthefirstsuch shiptobe “The firstironbuiltocean-going Corlett wrotealetterto In 1967,thenavalarchitectRev.Ewan Plate, shewaslefttoquietlyrustaway. HMS ExeteraftertheBattleofRiver ironwork wascannibalisedtopatchup episode in1939whensomeofher and sunkin1937and,barringabrief and forcoalstorage.Shewasscuttled 1884 shewasusedasaquarantineship Laid upontheFalklandIslandsin interludes. in betweenmorehappyanduseful manner ofmishapsandcatastrophes, was returnedtoBristolshesufferedall Prince Albertin1843andthedayshe Between thedayshewaslaunchedby disasters.” “The consequencewasaseriesof nautical milesofsomethe most hostileseasonearth. carried homeacross7,500 thousand-ton wreckwas ...And acompletely unseaworthy three The Times: Eugene Byrnelooksbackatan key pieceofour heritagehadabloody pointed out,how woulditlookifthis But asobjectors totheCouncilproposals increasingly severetrafficcongestion. of massiveroadstorelieveBristol’s A majorplankinthiswasaseries could beusedforotherpurposes. viable andbecauselandthus reclaimed as theywerenolongcommercially fill insignificantstretchesofthedocks serious proposalstocoveroverand/or that attheendof1960stherewere Bristol CivicSocietymemberswillknow the futureofcitydocks.Many plunged intothecontroversyaround From theminuteshearrivedwas It hasbeennothingofthekind. smooth anduninterruptedprogress. Britain sinceherreturnhasbeenoneof To thecasualobserver,storyofGreat dock whereshehadbeenbuilt. later shewasfinallyreturnedtothe eight millionTVviewers.Twoweeks watched byover100,000sightseersand pontoon, shewaspulleduptheAvon, July 51970,havingbeenfloatedoffthe She arrivedatAvonmouth,andon the mosthostileseasonearth. across 7,500nauticalmilesofsome thousand-ton wreckwascarriedhome … Andacompletelyunseaworthythree donated byFalklandIslanders… the hullwasbungedupwithmattresses pontoon. Ahugecrackononesideof The shipwasputontoaspecial got underwayinthespringof1970. Jack’) Hayward,thesalvageoperation patriotic millionaireSirJack(‘Union poured inand,withfundingfrom Corlett hitanerve.Messagesofsupport weeks later. journey up-rivertwo the pontoonforher up andfloatedoff she wouldbepatched Avonmouth where Edward Dockat arrives atRoyal the SSGreatBritain transatlantic voyage, following herepic Left, June221970: June 231970 Evening Post, Far left,Bristol The solution,aseveryvisitorinthelast was, tonobody’ssurprise,rusting. But thethen-150-year-oldironship Class Saloonwasopened. the Queenvisitedand,in1992,First by SirPaulGettymoremastswentup, and, with£1mdonatedbySirJackand erected, anewdeckwascompleted work. Thefunnelandfirstmastwere volunteers putinmeasurelesshoursof Meanwhile, moneywasraisedand to HMSBelfastorsomethinglikethat.” Ending upinStKatharineDocksornext London inordertobefinanciallyviable. thought itwouldprobablyhavetogo the earlydays,butalsoalotofpeople “The shipwasnotaltogethervaluedin SS GreatBritainTrusttoldBetterBristol: Matthew Tanner,ChiefExecutiveofthe six months. on itsberthhadtoberenewedevery Western Dock,andeventhen,thelease permission toremainintheGreat 1974 beforeGreatBritainwasgranted open forthefloatingharbour.Itwas 1970s theCouncilkeptitsoptions insecure foralongtime.Throughthe ending, buttheship’sfuturewas The docksplanshada(mostly)happy (© ColinMomber) high-pressure water blastingonthehull,1971 Above, Someofthe earliestconservationwork; 1970 (©ColinMomber) not longafterherarrivalintheCityDocks, Above, TheDukeofEdinburghpaysavisit great dualcarriagewaythunderingpast?

“We addcriticalmasstothecity’s off-site havingvisitedthecity. their ticketsandthemoneytheyspend Bristol, takinginwhatvisitorsspendon Britain isworthabout£15mayearto The TrustreckonsthattheSSGreat repair backtotheharbour. in aschemetobringshipbuildingand Albion Dockyardandisnowapartner Last yeartheTrustacquirednearby Institute, nowtenyearsold. serious scholarsthereisalsotheBrunel both funandeducational,whilefor you toliterallygetinsidehishead.It’s man’s work andwhichfamouslyallows Brunel, offeringinsightsintothegreat there isafabulousnewmuseum,Being you intoare-createdDockyardand More significantly,yourvisitnowgets cabins. to thesmellofsickinsomepassenger – everythingfromthereplicaengine and morefeatureshavebeenadded money cameintosortoutthehull team aroundhim,lottery Tanner andthe and thanksto Since then, less visitors.” getting lessand meant itwas and sothat deteriorating was visibly The ship unsustainable. were becoming the volunteers Trustees and efforts ofthe “The valiant Matthew Tanner: late 1990s,says easy. Inthe point wasnot To gettothat conservation. and thusits around thehull the humidity wheeze tocontrol actually aclever on water.Thisis that she’sfloating the impression the hullandgiving ceiling covering was ahugeglass 15 yearshasseen, price £14.95.Copies areavailableat by ShipsinFocus Publications, not includethesephotos)is published ‘Ships inthePortofBristol’ Authority. Hisrecentbookof pictures, photographer ofthePort Bristol Colin Momberwastheofficial (which does about £15mayeartoBristol. SS GreatBritainisworth for details.(© Colin Momber) email [email protected] You canalsobuyfromtheauthor – at http://shipsinfocus.com/ from theShipsinFocuswebsite the SSGreatBritainshopand the BristolTouristInformation centre, on July18-19,seewww.ssgreatbritain.org in Aprilandwhichincludeamajorevent (which includemodelpenguins)whichstart and onthe50thanniversarycelebrations For moreonvisitingtheSSGreatBritain, favour afterall.Inthelongrun. Mr Brunel,itturnsout,didBristolabig great dealofotherwork.” thing inthemiddle,surroundedbya The shipisjustthebigwow-factor “It’s notjustanothervisitorattraction. less affluentpartsoftown. work withschools,especiallythosein especially amongyoungsters,thereis promoting understandingofscience, in punters.TheTrustisactive that thisisnotjustaboutpacking Tanner iskeentoemphasise,though, really appreciatedhere.” Bath, whichisnotsomethingthat’s has muchbiggertouristnumbersthan tourism andculturalvalue…Bristol www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk

SS Great Britain Great SS FEATURE RE U 21 FEAT 21 22 Climate Crisis FEATURE I BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY worst impacts. this crisis,andavoidthe the actionrequiredtoavert window of12yearslefttotake and alertedgovernmentstoa to 1.5C)posedtheworld, threat ariseof2C,(asopposed appointment of theEnvironmental Committee on Climate Change;the to movethings forward:anAdvisory which includessomeserious attempts Mayor’s ClimateEmergency Action Plan, in July2019,MarvinReespublished The Eight monthsaftertheCouncil motion, high degreeofenvironmental awareness. with largenumbersofcitizensa 2015 GreenCapitalstatus,weareacity conservation, andwiththelegacyof related toenvironmentalsciencesand universities offerover30courses and theEnvironmentAgency.Our History Unit,theSoilAssociation, and ishometotheBBCNatural UK todeclareaClimateEmergency, game.It wasthefirstCouncilin In somewaysBristolisaheadofthe elsewhere), inJulylastyear. with disruptiveactioninBristol,(and (many fromourcity),andfollowedthis people ontothestreetsofLondon, brought manythousandsofordinary 2019, whenExtinctionRebellion(XR) world, whichfinallyexplodedinApril the intensepressuresonnatural unease overclimatechange,and this accompaniedincreasingpublic As BetterBristolreaderswillbeaware, relevant strategiesandplans’.... to deliverthisnewgoalthroughall partners acrossthecityandregion 1.5°C’... andto‘Continueworkwith to limitglobalwarminglessthan and implementbestpracticemethods UK andinternationally)todetermine other governments(bothwithinthe neutral by2030’...to‘Workwith to makethe‘CityofBristolcarbon- Party), todeclareaClimateEmergency, motion, (introducedbyTheGreen 2018, BristolCityCouncilpasseda The followingmonth,inNovember economics andtherealitiesoftacklingtheclimatecrisis. of aclimateemergencybuthighlightstheconflictbetweentraditionalgrowth Bristol CivicSocietymemberMaggieMosspraisesCityCouncil’sdeclaration Climate crisis warned oftheenormous Climate Change(IPCC) International PanelOn n October2018the

Spanish railticket displayingcarbonemissions. Ecological Emergency(February2020). page13), andarecentDeclarationofan with theinnovativeCityLeapProject(see of aOneCityClimateStrategy,coupled Sustainability Board;thedevelopment inherent inreconcilingtheurgenttask are manyindicationsoftheconflict Party Councillors,andprotestors,there Mayor, membersofhisCabinet,Green reports, andlettersfromboththe At meetings,andinstatements,press significant extracarbonemissions. which ifitwentaheadwouldresultin expansion ofBristolInternationalAirport, crystallised aroundtheissueof thinking. InBristolthisiscurrently aspirations, andtraditionaleconomic there isaclearconflictbetweenthese country, atalllevelsofgovernment), However, (andreplicatedacrossthe Greta ThunberginBristol.PhotoHarryLloydEvans. managed ina responsible, sustainable say it’simportant anyexpansionis parking’ ...‘The letterdoesactually to changestheroundabout and response toaplanningapplication to above(was)‘simplyafactual reported asinsistingtheletter referred concerned councillors,theMayor was By January2020,whenchallenged by (Bristol Post,24June2019.) an undergroundsystemfortheCity. expansion withhiseffortstofund South’ andovertlylinkedtheairport’s next decade,inparticularforBristol for thousandsofnewjobsinthe expand, wewillmissanopportunity protestors ‘Iftheairportdoesn’t In June2019MarvinReestold across theregion’.(April2019.) supporting inclusiveeconomicgrowth the positiveimpactthatithason global destinations...Wealsorecognise England andthewiderSouthWestto plays inconnectingtheWestof the importantrolethatBristolAirport wrote: ‘BristolCityCouncilsupports Dudd, CabinetMemberforTransport Emergency wasdeclared,CllrKye Just sixmonthsaftertheClimate economic growthanddevelopment. traditional approachtojobcreation, of mitigatingclimatechange,withthe Nose aroundConcorde. factors i.e.carjourneys.) timescales involved,andassumed expansion differs,dependingonthe brings. (Exactdataontheairport the jobsandgrowththatproject increases inemissionsofCO2,despite which willactivelyresultinmajor and atthesametimesupportprojects bringing downemissionsinthecity, point outitismeaninglesstoworkat many councillors,havecontinuedto communities aroundLulsgateand Meanwhile protestorsfromthelocal 17 Jan2020). expansion ofourairports.’(BristolPost flying togodownandIdon’twant way...and Iwantthenumberofpeople Bristol CivicSociety campaigning organisations including: level, therearemanylocalgroups and more, ortakepositiveaction atany For thosewhowouldliketo know are pushingforchange,then changewillcome’. changes requiredwillnothappenovernight...butifenough people And asGretaThunbergtoldus‘Wemust...rememberthat the we wouldsaveamilliontonnesofCO2inyear. tumble drierdriedoneloadoutside,oronasimplerack, eachweek, Small actionsDOaddup.Forexample,ifallUKhouseholds witha (c) neither? (b) doubleglazedwindows or otherwallinsulation (a) insulatedcavitywalls Do youhave: (c) un-insulatedstoragespace? (b) insulatedtosomedegree (a) insulatedtoadepthof25cms, Is yourloft: (c) neither? (b) otherlowenergybulbs (a) LEDbulbs Is yourlighting: (c) usingatumbledrier? (b) ontheradiators, (a) outdoorsifpossible, Do youusuallydryyourlaundry: At Home: How greenareyou? So, whynottakethisQuiz,(withthankstoOxfordCivicSociety)andseehowyouscore:

Mainly a) – well done you’re leading the field Mainly b) – good, but some room for improvement Mainly c) – need we say?! Contact change4climate.uk for help and advice

Getting About: Getting (c) fly? somewhere (b) drivethecar buses/coaches (a) usetrains/ do youusually: On yourmainholiday, (c) dieselcar? (b) acarclub (a) electric/hybrid If youuseacarisit: (c) alwaysusethecar? most journeys (b) usethecarfor bike/walk public transport/ (a) almostalwaysuse Do you: host ofcommunity actiongroupsand Bristol Airport Expansion,plusa Earth; GreenOpenDoorsDay; Stop Extinction Rebellion;Friends ofthe groups; CliftonClimateAction; on thechin,ifitspoliticianshave in apositionofbeingabletotakethis record lowlevelsofunemploymentis Bristol withitsthrivingeconomy,and do nodamagetotheenvironment. reduction offossilfuelemissions,and through projectsthatalsosupportthe growth shouldonlybeachieved environmental degradation,economic that tocombatclimatechangeand are strugglingtoacceptthenewreality, Our politicians,(andindeedallofus), an appealagainstthisdecisionismade. arguments willrageonif,asexpected, planning application,butthe Council turneddowntheAirport In February2020NorthSomerset

Resources: 3-4 times? more than items worn (c) discard often and wearthem new clothes (b) buyfew vintage clothes (a) mainlybuy Do you: (c) everyday? (b) sometimes (a) never especially beef: Do youeatmeat, (c) rarely? (b) sometimes (a) always or recyclethings: Do yourepair,re-use,

‘business asusualeconomics’. are allbetterwaysgoingforwardthan tech solutionstotheclimateemergency to promoteexcitingdevelopmentsinhi- efficient housesweneed,andcontinuing disadvantaged areastobuildtheenergy shortages byskilling-uppeoplein our citymoreequally,tacklingskill about howtospreadthewealthof courage todoso.Continuedthinking ecological disaster. in thefightagainstaclimateand onus onusasindividualstocontribute want tostayvigilant),thereisalsoan politicians, (andconcernedcitizenswill Whatever thedecisionsofour want themto do. know whatyou think,andwhatyou Council, theMayorandyour MP about thewayforwardlet wildlife groups.Ifyouareconcerned

(c) neither? uses renewables electricity supplierthat (b) switchedtoan away fromfossilfuels savings andmoved investments and (a) reviewedyour Have you: www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk Bristol International Airport wentahead If theexpansionof it wouldresultin significant extra emissions.

Climate Crisis Climate 23 FEATURE 23 FEATURE 25 Blue Plaques h and l or www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk g and p. This is what mark the 100th anniversary of Iris’s birth. On 3 October the school held an Iris Murdoch day, with a range of activities including a public lecture, and the entire senior school assembled to witness the Iris Murdoch plaque being unveiled on the stage. because serifs can help “push” you from one letter to the next. a large ‘x’ can see that Frutiger has We height: the height of characters which ascenders like don’t have descenders like gives it clarity. The cap C ends short gives time curving on and doesn’t waste round to the right. There’s an assertive the i, not a dot. Overall, square over see wide, open apertures - a single- we storey g rather than g; a wide A with a A square M with low centre bar. very its centre strokes descending to the base of the letter. W is similar, like two Vs. a Our plaques need to convey succinct message and Frutiger’s strong, geometric form tells the story admirably.

roman faces. But for books, roman studiesreadability that prove more legible than serifed more serif typefaces [as this] are since the 1960s as they are since the 1960s as they are easier to read - their subtle used on British motorways strokes make each character messages. Such faces have been more distinctive. Our eyes can Our eyes more distinctive. signage and for conveying brief recognise them quickly. And this recognise them quickly. was head girl and maintained contact was head girl and maintained contact with Badminton School throughout her life. The unveiling was a modest ceremony as some weeks earlier there had been a much more significant event to from an angle. Frutiger explained: ‘What from was important, was total clarity – I would even call it nudity – an absence of any kind of artistic addition’. Frutiger is a sans-serif face, ideal for feature helps guide the flow of letters, words, sentences and paragraphs Frutiger (sans-serif) vs Serif typeface describes how the typeface used describes how n Wednesday, 20 November 2019 the Right Honourable Lord he typeface appearing on our plaques is Frutiger [this one], designed by a Swiss Fit for purpose Fit How thethe typeface used on blue plaques is designed for job – many endure Typefaces used in books nowadays old: Bembo, really are 1495; Garamond, 1722; 1530; Caslon, Baskerville, 1750s – even dull old vanilla- flavour Times was designed in 1929. But Frutiger was created in the 1970s, originally for wayfinding signage at Charles de Gaulle airport. It had a distanceto be legible from and side-on, A blue plaque blue A Iris Murdoch for Gordon Young job. is designed for the on blue plaques Iris boarded at the school from 1932 for six years and went on to become an internationally-recognised novelist. She typographer, Adrian Frutiger. Adrian Frutiger. typographer, Mayor, Councillor Jos Clark unveiled a blue plaque at the entrance gate to Badminton School on Westbury Road. The plaque celebrates the writer and philosopher Dame Iris Murdoch. There was some discussion about the best place to erect a plaque to such a distinguished pupil – the library, perhaps. But together, we settled on the school boundary wall so that it could proclaim its message to the wider world. T O New Platforms 0/1 Platforms New Eastern Entrance Eastern through (New entrance passenger subway) West junction Remodelling West works) and signalling (Track Circulation Enhancements 1 Enhancements Circulation (New Southern Internal Bridge) Circulation Enhancements 0 Enhancements Circulation Incl. Works: 13/15 (Platform works track widening, platform extension/widening) and canopy specific plans for provision for disabled. access from the east and south. wayfinding signage to cope with the a cycle route to the new hub that drop-off points for private vehicles, When the draft masterplan will When the draft masterplan will go to consultation later in 2020, we look to see more on: • • dispersed access points. • • is both direct and separate from the pedestrian route. • both access and management. We will continue to comment on more detailed plans as they emerge. A masterplan study is due for completion by summer 2020. hierarchy, and we support that. We support the improvements in public realm outside the northern entrance. Alan Morris. . the buses that currently access the there will be a larger vehicle-free pedestrians will enjoy an enhanced bikes will be parked at a hub outside new and enhanced internal station Some of the proposed main changes in access to the station are: The Society has had the opportunity to comment on the emerging proposals. We think that the configuration of connection points to taxis, buses and private cars is sub-optimal, but probably the best that can be achieved given the physical constraints. The plans place pedestrians at the top of the transport • ramp (the minority of nearby bus routes) will instead use bus stops on The Friary, and passengers will enter the station by the northern entrance. • area at the top of the ramp, moving taxis further back. The ramp will not be available for drop-off from private cars: other locations will be made available. • direct route between the Brunel Mile crossing of Temple Gate and the northern entrance. • the northern entrance, instead of on platform 3. passenger circulation. This may include passenger circulation. This may include a new passenger platform bridge to take the pressure off the subway • Platform Works Platform Improvement platform alterations, (Signal canopies, extensions, passenger facilities) assenger numbers are growing fast, and changes are essential to cope with the forecast

Blended funding Southern Gateway entrance, (station parkingrelocated crew) train cars, (cycles,

an enhanced northern entrance, to

External funding Northern Gateway revised (transport interchange, of creation drop-off, / pick-up public retail, new arrivals hall, access) platform realm, The Temple Meads station proposals include: include a new concourse in the Midland engine shed, with ticket office and retail outlets, and development of public realm and buildings between the entrance and Temple Quay – by 2025 – 2029. • a new eastern entrance, with access through the University of Bristol’s new Temple Campus site – by 2022 • a potential new southern entrance, on the Bath Road, with direct access to the station across a new bridge over the water and Cattle Market Road. This is a new proposal, which is still being worked through. It is at least 5 years away from implementation. • roof refurbishment – by 2023. • After many years of waiting, there now seems to be some momentum towards there now seems to be some momentum towards After many years of waiting, Meads station, writes specific plans for Temple

Temple Meads station Temple Emerging plans forEmerging doubling to 22m a year by 2030. A masterplan study is due for completion by summer 2020. These proposals are the first phase of plans for the wider area of Temple Quarter and St Philips Marsh.

BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY CIVIC SOCIETYBRISTOL BRISTOL P Temple Meads Station Meads Temple FEATURE 24 JOIN 27 Membership

(2) " NO (4) pounds) in your will? Bristol Civic Society Have you considered Please tick YES www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk leaving something to the

Membership Secretary, Bristol Tel: 0117 9621592...... Surname...... (for completion by BCS) Civic Society, 52 Oakwood Rd, Bristol BS9 4NT. Civic Society, 52 Oakwood Rd, Bristol made Cheques, if not made by standing order, payable to Bristol Civic Society. Enquiries: Email: [email protected] Please return to: (1) 20. The Agenda will include: The Tuesday 2 June, from 7pm 2 June, from Tuesday

Invitation St Michael’s Hill, Bristol BS2 8DT Hill, St Michael’s POSTPONED Sort Code Bristol Civic Society Bristol Civic Members and friends are warmly invited to the Members and friends  Team members & review of the Society’s activities. members & review of the Society’s Team Signature (6) Refreshments from 7pm; the meeting starts at 7.30pm. Refreshments from 2020 Annual General Meeting 2020 Annual @...... Your Civic Society needs YOU! needs Civic Society Your Nominations for officers and Management Team members must be sent Team Nominations for officers and Management to the secretary by 26 May 2020, at [email protected] Chairman’s Report, Finance Report, election of officers and other Management Report, Finance Report, election of officers and other Chairman’s Rate £30 At ‘The Mount Without’ (formerly the Church of St Michael on the Mount Without), (formerly the Church of St Michael At ‘The Mount Without’ Joining is easy it via the website: There are three ways to apply. You can do where bristolcivicsociety.org.uk/get-involved/join-the-society application form. you can join using PayPal, or download an the form below. Or fill out, cut out or photocopy, and return (3) (...... Forename...... By completing this Gift Aid Declaration, Bristol Civic Society can increase the value of your subscription at no extra cost to you by claiming a tax refund. ristol Civic Society is more Society is more ristol Civic years old. It is a than 100 body non-party-political is for what which campaigns " Membership (Annual) £20 Individual Joint living at the same address £10 Student Membership application to join Bristol Civic Society Membership application Please pay annually from 1st of...... Email...... Address...... Phone(s)...... Standing order mandate ...... To: (name of your bank)...... Account Number...... the sum of £...... Title...... Name...... Date...... to CAF Bank Ltd (sort code 40-52-40) for the account of Bristol Civic Society (account no. 00087355) to CAF Bank Ltd (sort code 40-52-40) for the account of Bristol Civic Society (account reference no. (5)...... Insert (1) next month (2) this year (3) appropriate rate (4) amount in words (5) leave blank (6) wet signature needed by the bank I would like tax to be reclaimed on my donation under the Gift Aid Scheme. I am a UK tax payer I would like tax to be reclaimed on my donation under the Gift Aid Scheme. I am tax that can be and pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the reclaimed on my donation. Bristol Civic Society is registered charity No. 244414 best for our city. Joining the Society best for our city. Joining it is open to all. is inexpensive and diverse our The bigger and more stronger we can be. membership, the Bristol Civic Society membership Society Civic Bristol you’re also on As a Society member a range of events the invitation list to serious campaigning and benefits, from and social through to expert talks evenings and outings. Bristol Civic Society is: * Saving the best of Bristol’s past * A powerful voice in Bristol’s future * Campaigning on issues that affect us all - and the generations to come * A great way to make new friends (and maybe re-connect with old ones!) its Find out more about the Society and work at bristolcivicsociety.org.uk B MM Redcliffe published over 200 Bristol books. John will be much missed. But his legacy lives on. Thanks to his books many have learnt to see Bristol in a new light and consequently sought to protect the best of our city. Our thoughts are with Angela and his family. their own at the same time.

On his 70th birthday John said he had arranged for the Red Arrows to fly over his house in Pembroke Road. As we sat in his garden on a warm summer’s evening, sure enough they did! What a coincidence that Clifton College was holding a celebration of John wrote a charming memoir of his life in publishing, Written Between the Lines. Full of fabulous anecdotes, it is essential reading for anybody about to embark on such a precarious career. John was awarded an honorary doctorate by Bristol University, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bristol Evening Post and the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Medal.

Children’s and the arts.

John, along with his wife Angela, t is with great sadness that t is with great sadness Sansom’s we heard of John death after a long illness. excuse to open a bottle of

wine and talk about books

Sansom

John John Obituary publisher John needed little

The epitome of the gentleman The epitome of the gentleman back. In over 40 years Redcliffe has published in excess of 200 books about Bristol. The range was wide, but the topics that were closest to John’s heart were art and architecture. It is thanks to John that Bristol is one of the best documented cities in the country. And if that wasn’t enough, he also ran the much respected imprint Sansom & Company, publishing books on contemporary art. established Redcliffe Press in the 1976. established Redcliffe Press in the 1976. John always had close links with Bristol Civic Society, publishing in the 1970s a range of campaigning and influential books such as: The Fight for Bristol; Changing Bristol and Modern Buildings in Bristol. Redcliffe’s first book was Bristol. This refreshing new take on the city was read as much by adults and by children. It sold over 20,000 copies. From then on there was no looking The epitome of the gentleman publisher John needed little excuse to open a bottle of wine and talk about books and the arts. On a personal note, John published my first book Bristol Beyond the Bridge and it is thanks to him that I became a writer. He changed my life. Later, I worked with John and others on the Bristol Review of Books. A critical success, it was nevertheless a precarious venture. From the beginning every edition felt like it was going to be the last. I approached our editorial meetings with trepidation. But John’s boundless energy, enthusiasm, and generous hospitality, always pulled us through.

BRISTOL CIVIC SOCIETY CIVIC SOCIETYBRISTOL BRISTOL

I Obituary Obituary FEATURE 26 Check Bristol Civic Society website STOP PRESS: to book your place and to find Due to Coronovirus pandemic these updates. Some events will have events are likely to change. Please limited numbers. We usually make consult: www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk EventsSpring and Summer 2020 a small charge to cover costs. for latest information.

MAY Thursday 21 May at 7.00 pm. JULY Wednesday 1 July. The role of Summer Social at The characterisation in the Observatory. assessment of development in We are delighted to hold a new event this Conservation Areas. year -a summer social. Details yet to be John Wesley New Room, 36 The sorted but we do have a stunning venue Horsefair, Broadmead BS1 3JE. and a firm date. Watch our website for Join us for a presentation by Emma more details. Bryant, senior heritage and townscape In planning for later in the year: consultant at the architectural firm Purcell. Weston-super-Mare. Emma will describe what the term We are liaising with Weston Civic Society ‘significance’ means in the historical and aim to organise a study visit later in built environment and how it is assessed the summer. There is a significant amount through buildings fabric, history and of new development and regeneration in setting. Emma will explain how such and around the town. considerations can impact on local planning policy citing local buildings and Shirehampton - study walk. others from the south west. The next walk in the series led by David Her presentation will take place in the Martyn will be to Shirehampton, date to John Wesley New Room, where Purcell be agreed in September. have recently been responsible for extensive refurbishment and extension. Ashton Court Mansion. Tickets £5 and limited to 30 members When appropriate we will hold further public events and consultation – JUNE Tuesday 2 June at 7.00 pm. following on from the very well attended public meetings held in the Mansion Bristol Civic Society and in City Hall. To join the Mansion AGM. newsletter distribution list email simon. See separate notice on p.27 for details. [email protected]. JUNE Sunday 7 June at 10.30 am. Visit to Ashton Court Deer Please check the Civic Society Parks. website for updates: The General. Learn the detail about the management of bristolcivicsociety.org.uk. the famous Ashton Court deer parks. Led MAY 1 - 31 May by Mark Cox, resident ranger responsible Walk Fest for deer management for over 30 years, Bristol Walking Alliance we will walk around the estate and the Civic Society members are events in Walk Fest. leading three very different walks as part deer. Lots of opportunities for questions. of the citywide Walk Fest programme. Tickets £5, numbers limited 1-31 May 2020. See separate Walk Fest website for joining to 30 members. instructions: ‘Walkability’ walks JUNE Wednesday 10 June • Westbury Park: shaping of a from 7.00 pm. Two ‘walkability’ walks in different neighbourhood. Jeff Bishop, Thursday parts of Bristol will explore good and

14 May & Saturday 16 May. Design Awards – bad walking environments. The walks • NormanPOSTPONED Walls. Ed Hall, Tuesday 5 May Presentation Evening. will be in Greenbank in Easton, and & Tuesday 12 May & Tuesday 19 May. The Station, Silver Street, from Temple Meads to Castle Park. • History of Tobacco Industry. Simon Bristol BS1 2AG. See Walk Fest publicity for full details. Birch, Sunday 31 May. Nominations closed at the end of February and the Awards Panel will then Wednesday 20 May, 7pm at the Tuesday May 12 at 2.00 pm. MAY be visiting nominated projects. See our Watershed website for more details nearer the date. Study visit to The General Bristol’sPOSTPONED street trees and The New Yard. Street trees offer many benefits in the A second visit to this very successful We are a small team and need urban environment. But there can regeneration project to look at the newly reinforcements. If you can spare a completed residential blocks to the rear of little time to assist in organising our also be problems. What is Bristol’s The General main building and also the Events Programme please get in touch. relationship with street trees? Bristol refurbishment of the Edward VII building. Walking Alliance and Bristol Health Hosted by developers City & Country. Please email events@bristolcivicsociety. Partners are hosting a Street Tree org.uk with bookings, queries, ideas Tickets £5, numbers limited twilight event. and offers of assistance! to 30 members.