Dear Friend of Victoria Park,
Welcome to what I hope to make a fortnightly update to encourage greater participation in our activities (COVID-19 allowing, of course!) Feel free to pass this information on to friends, family and neighbours – and invite them to join the Victoria Park Action Group (VPAG) mailing list – just get them to drop me a line at andrewcbrownuk@gmail.com
Next Meeting – 7.30 p.m. Monday 2 November 2020.
Our next meeting is a week on Monday (by Zoom) – if you have any topics for discussion, and if you want to attend, let me know and I will send you the Zoom link. Amongst other things, we expect to have a hear from a local artist and members of the local Basketball Association about two potential projects in the park.
Bonfire Cancelled – Reminder There will be no bonfire organised in the park this year. Please do not bring any wood to the park, and please spread the word amongst your friends and networks. We will be producing “No Bonfire” posters, and have contacted local media outlets to make them aware too.
Community Garden – an appeal for shrubs, slabs, and stepping stones Barney Smith, who looks after our community garden [at the back of the Bowling Club’s clubhouse], is looking for some additional herbaceous plants if people are able to donate – or split – theirs. He says “They should be wrapped up to keep the roots moist and left at the back of the bed on the path or brought on Thursday afternoons. Labelling them not essential but helpful. We could also use broken paving slabs a least 30cm by 30cm to use as stepping stones/paths within the garden.”
Ecological Emergency The Council has acknowledged that we are facing an Ecological Emergency, and the Bristol Parks Forum has been discussing the issue and ways in which parks can respond. Victoria Park is a haven for wildlife, with many different types of flora and fauna making their home in our trees, copses, bushes, and longer grass areas. We have started discussing how we can work to promote our biodoversity (and general understanding of the park’s place within it) and I look forward to being able to provide further information in due course.
Historic Fountain I’d been contacted by someone whose family once donated a water fountain to the park. Thanks to Finbar Cullen who spread the word on Facebook which illicited the following description of “Mr Terrett’s Fountain, Victoria Park, Bedminster” – it was made by Llewelin and James of Castle Green,1889 and one side had a plaque to say it was “presented by Mr W Terrett of Church House, Bedminster, Town Councillor for this ward and County Councillor for this division 1889” – the other three sides contained scripture verse.
Volunteering in the park The Council are working with City of Bristol College to host students each week (during term time) in the park and they will be engaged in a programme of work, including planting up the beds in front of the lodge building with 4,800(!) plants. The Council are facilitating members of the public volunteering at the same time – if you are interested, please email parkvolunteers@bristol.gov.uk – the next session is due at 10.00 a.m. (to 12.30 p.m.) on Wednesday 4 November.
eScooters – reminder A trial of eScooters is due to start in Bristol soon. Technically the only ones that will be legal will be those available from the designated hire company but many eScooters are already privately owned and operated. You can find out more here – and please be aware when out and about in the park!
Thank You Certificates – nominations still open! A reminder that we have produced swanky new certificates to thank people for their volunteering time in the park and are inviting nominees – ideally with names and addresses, if possible. Many thanks to Robin Richards from Bemmies Bazaar for the design and artwork.
…and finally If you have something you want to raise, or you think might benefit from sharing more widely, please let me know. Please also let me know if there’s something you think the group should be doing but isn’t. Email: andrewcbrownuk@gmail.com
Regards,
Andrew BrownChair, VPAG