In this update:
Bristol Parks Forum Meeting Sat 15th October 2022
Thank you again to Friends of Eastville Park for hosting our meeting on Saturday.
The minutes will be published on the website later.
Len Wyatt was elected as Chair of the Parks Forum – see statement below.
Ted Fowler also joins the committee along with all the current members who were re-elected. Mark and I have agreed to stay on the committee, but very much in a handing over role.
The full committee is listed on the website at http://www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/contacts/
There were a lot of good discussions at the meeting about the severe budget pressures at Bristol City Council. Thank you to Cllr Ellie King for taking time to attend.
There will be consultations in the near future on the Parks & Green Spaces Strategy, the New Local Plan and the Proposed Council Committee structure. We will try to keep you up to date via these emails.
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Statement from Len, our New Chair
So that people can understand a bit more about me, thought I would provide a short introduction to where I am from etc.
I have been on the Forum committee for around 5 years.
I have been involved in the Committee of the Northern Slopes Initiative in South Bristol, for a long number of years, but I left the Committee in 2021. I now represent them on the Parks Forum, and volunteer as a “project manager” obtaining funding and getting work delivered on the ground. I also work most weeks with a team of volunteers on one part of the Slopes alongside Council and other local residents to help keep it well maintained, and improve it for people and wildlife.
I am involved from the community side in the Knowle West Regeneration where I seek to help people better understand the planning process and implications of development so they can get involved and respond.
My past career was as an environmental advisor/ecological specialist in the construction and maintenance of roads in Government organisations in England and then in Wales.
It was clear at Saturday’s meeting there is a lot going on which has the potential to affect individual groups and the Forum. Consultations are due on budgets, changes to the local plan and parks strategies at the Bristol level. The national situation in England with funding and changes to the planning system also has to be watched.
I stood for chair as I would like to see the energy at that meeting continue, through involving people, organisations, the Council and Councillors, who have a heart for our parks, nature reserves and green spaces. Not surprisingly, I don’t have a magic wand or answers to everything, not sure anyone one person or organisation does, but may be together there are positive ways forward.
At times the work of the Forum can seem very dry and sometimes it needs to be; but we need to build on and continue the work already done by the Forum and others, to support our green spaces of whatever size and type, and the people and wildlife that use them.
Finally, I am seeking to improve the way I listen, understand and encourage people. To help me, if groups were kind enough to invite me, over time I would like to walk around their sites with them.
Thank you for your support this far.
Len, Chair of the Bristol Parks Forum
Working for the Bristol Parks Forum.
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Managing for Nature
The discussions on budget issues meant that we didn’t have time for the full presentation on this subject, but we have uploaded it to the BPF website - www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/BPF151022Managing4Nature.pdf
There will also be a consultation in the near future for those sites where changes of management to benefit wildlife are proposed.
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Your Park Bristol & Bath
Here are some links to issues that came up in Charlee’s presentation on Saturday.
New to Nature
An exciting programme of paid work placements in nature-focused roles for 18-25-year olds. This is one of 70 roles that will be created across the UK to encourage young and diverse talent into the Natural Environment sector.
Applications are open until 12pm on Friday 11th November.
Donate to Your Park
Give to Your Park while you shop online
Spotlight on: Hillfields Community Garden
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Trees for Streets invitation
Message from Lizzie Pace, Local Engagement Manager, Streets for Trees
We’ve been working in your city, with the community and your local council, to help raise funding for more street trees.
I’d like to invite you to an online stakeholder briefing session. We’ll give you an overview of the Trees for Streets project, our fundraising activities, and explore how we might work directly with you/your organisation to support further tree planting in your neighbourhood.
Background
Trees for Streets, is the new sponsorship initiative from the national charity, Trees for Cities. We’ve been working very successfully in a growing number of towns and cities, including Bristol, to help raise funding for new street trees (and park trees).
The scheme is supported by the Mayor of London and DEFRA. We’ve successfully raised money for new planting through sponsorships (residents, community groups, local biz and other organisations), crowdfunding, and grants.
We work to raise Street Trees up the agenda. We believe that tree lined streets are essential for healthy living. They cool us in summer, soak up pollution, improve our wellbeing, and generally make where we live look a lot nicer.
Briefing invitation:
The briefing session is online via teams on Thursday 27th October, at 6pm.
We are inviting other key stakeholders in Bristol
You’ll need to register via the Eventbrite link below
Register now
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Rob Acton-Campbell
Bristol Parks Forum
www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/vision/
BPF Meeting Dates for 2023 to be confirmed
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