Up Our Street Jan - Mar 2011

January to March 2011

Inside this issue...

Best community in Britain!

Keep our car park!

Stapleton Road in focus

Do you have a story or photo you’d like published in Up Our Street?

We always love to hear from local people so contact us on 377 3638 or sorrel@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk

Community news As part of the Easton Happiness Roadshow in November, Up Our Street joined Bristol Celebrates multi-faith event at City Academy and asked participants what they personally thought made for a happy life.

Joseph M Glasgow Christian Methodist “A key aspect is a sense of peace. If you can develop the idea of peace for yourself you would talk of living in harmony, being kind to others, and getting on with your neighbours. At the bottom of it all is peace with God. People can be very bitter when they‟ve been injured by life, so forgiveness is also a part of finding peace, contentment and satisfaction”.

Zaheer Shabir Muslim “It is not about necessarily fulfilling your needs, but having the ability to make that happen, whether for yourself, your family, or community”.

Jernail Singh Sambhu Sikh “If you have peace of mind you will be happy. Peace of mind only comes through true spiritual reading”.

Marie Hackett Christian Catholic “Be comfortable with yourself, the way you relate to others and be peaceful. If you‟re facing poverty or other insecurities it can be hard to be happy, but if you have faith you can pray to find hope. Praying makes me happy, and trying to be good. Love God and love thy neighbour. If I do these things I will be happy”.

Maggie Jeffrey Friend (Quaker) “Happiness is about growth through challenge. As we go through life we meet challenges which take us on a journey of growth. When we‟re against the wall we ask for help, go beyond ego and link up with what can be called God. Quakers believe that God is in all of us”.

Joy Farrimond Buddhist “It‟s about mindfulness, letting go our delusional cravings that only offer temporary fulfilment and living in the moment. The easiest path is the one that doesn‟t being us happiness”.

Julia Clarke Buddist “It‟s about loving yourself, knowing yourself, and working with your difficulties.

Then you can reach out to other people”.

Celebrating the urban environment in Easton Local resident Hilary Hennell has taken this winning photo for Easton Family Centre‟s photo competition. The competition attracted over 40 entries, revealing that there is much to celebrate and enjoy in our urban environment.

Competition judge Abby Frary of Transition Easton said, “I was delighted to see such a high standard of photography in the competition, and really enjoyed looking through the pictures. I hope that all the entrants continue taking fantastic photos of our home town!”

Entries are featured in a 2011 Calendar on sale at Easton Family Centre on Beaufort Street, to raise funds for energy efficiency and other environmental improvements at the Family Centre.

Community news The wow factor – meet the Women of One World An afternoon with the One World mum‟s group at Barton Hill Family Centre is time well spent with women who know how to share love, laughter and good conversation. Up Our Street caught up with some wonderful women for a giggle and a cuppa.

One World started as a small project of the Barton Hill Settlement community work team six years ago, a response to the plight of refugees escaping violence in Somalia for the safety of England. Nomadic lifestyles of home were reflected in the fluctuating numbers of the early group, yet have now settled into a core of twenty-five regulars.

The staff team know that hard-earned mutual trust is how One World has been built over the years. Wendy, Elaine, Tracy, Mags and Becky live in the Barton Hill community and feel that they have grown with the immigrant population, learning alongside the mothers of many nations.

Join One World on Tuesdays from 1-3pm This is a group where the headscarves come off and women are women. Over Muna‟s shared home-cooked samosas and hot sweet tea, the teasing and endless laughter is contagious.

Samira tells the group she has started her driving lessons.

Wendy says to let her know when Samira‟s out in the car, because she‟ll make sure she stays indoors.

“We share many funny stories”, Haleema says with a smile.

“Our children get comfort from the play and toys, and me and my baby go home happy”. With no pre-school in Somalia, the family centre‟s team also work with children to build their social skills and concentration. “My little boy wants to go to pre-school now” Samira says proudly.

Besides providing quality childcare and well-equipped play rooms, the team can act as a broker between the women and agencies, such as helping women whose first language is not English understand how to make a health centre appointment or what their school letter means. Being able to practice speaking in a safe space has done wonders for their confidence.

Family Centre staff work hard on understanding the languages and cultures of the women they are working with. Wendy explains that even being accurate with someone‟s given name can create shared respect: “Sometimes it‟s hard getting the right pronunciation but it‟s important to get names right. I wouldn‟t want to be called Bendy!”

“If I‟m at home, who will I speak English with?” says Haleema.

“Coming here I dare to speak and can improve my English.

When I came to the UK I didn‟t have a chance to go to school as I have two small babies”. Hamda agrees: “On my first day I was very shy, but Wendy gave me the confidence to speak. My children have made friends too”. Asma values the bilingual environment: “It‟s good for learning the language because we can explain words to each other”. She worries, however, about the lack of local English classes with childcare for those that need them.

One World meets on Tuesdays at the Barton Hill Family Centre from 1pm until 3pm. It‟s for any mums in the local community to talk, play and relax. Any parent in the community can also drop in any time Monday to Friday. A prayer room, breast feeding room and refreshments are provided.

Topics discussed in the group range from wearing poppies or why English people wear black to a funeral. The significance of the poppy is not lost on these women. Many of Hamda‟s family members were killed in bombings in Somalia, including her mum, sister and grandmother. Somalis also fought for the Allies in the Second World War.

The Family Centre has once again been awarded the "Bristol Standard”

For more information about One World contact Barton Hill Settlement on 9548881 or visit www.bartonhillsettlement.org.uk

Me and my neighbours Big win for The Dings The Dings has been named the best community in Britain in AXA’s Community Challenge after first winning the regional heat.

The 17 year old Dings Community Association turned an old railway line into a safe cycle track, petitioned for a children‟s play area and revamped an old wall in the new park into a large mural depicting the community, including the children‟s football team, vicar, postman, policeman and even the local bus.

The group also holds regular community meetings, quiz nights and fun days. Richard Seymour, Chair of The Dings Community Association said the award was an honour and a privilege: “We have spent so many hours working together to make our community a place to be proud of, safe, clean and friendly, that no words can convey what we feel with this award.

Our community will be proud as punch and this will give them a real sense of importance for them and their family. People usually love where they live, but The Dings is something special”.

Dancing in Lena Street

By David Baines “Lena Street had their annual street party again this year - 11th September after Ramadan, so that everyone could take part.

We put up our bunting given by Easton Community Centre, and closed the street down for the day, clearing it of all vehicles. The children loved it - being able to play freely on the road, and enjoy having the street all to themselves.

The ever popular Swap Shop raised £35 through voluntary donations, given to the Pakistan Flood Appeals.

Face painting, a Wishing Tree, games and music were enjoyed all day, as was the shared food tent. A samba band 'African Sambistas‟ came to play, and got us all dancing in the street, and we even had a Bike Doctor attend helping us all fix our bikes!

A special thank you goes to Auntie and Sue for their delicious curries and stews!

Would you like to help set up a residents association for Easton? A residents association can do lots of things to make the area a nicer place to live in, work in and visit.

We are right at the very start of the process so if you would like to get involved, please contact eastonresidents@yahoo.com Perhaps there is already a residents association in Easton that we don't know about? If this is the case please get in touch and let us know!

We like news straight from the horse’s mouth...

Got a story about what your street has been up to lately? Good news from local people reminds There are no plans over the everyone what great places Easton and Lawrence Hill winter, but we‟re keen to do are to live in...

Send your stories to another street party next sorrel@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk summer. And we can‟t wait”. or call 377 3638

Our parks and green spaces Barton Hill’s best kept secret garden Many people might not be aware that within just 50 yards of Harwood House in Barton Hill there lies a large, very beautiful walled garden.

And the good news is that it opened to the community on 11 December. Tim Lawrence, one of a team of growers working there, explains that the idea is to open the garden on several days each week as a neighbourhood growing project.

“People are invited to come, enjoy growing vegetables and fruit together, and share the harvest. Right now there is some hard work to do to establish the garden. There will be polytunnels, wooden shelters for outdoor workshops, and a forest garden. All are welcome, to work, to learn, to meet others, or just to enjoy the space”.

The Walled Garden is open in the daytime on Fridays from 10am and, soon, on other days as well.

Children need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Contact Chris on chris.sunderland@agoraspace.org or 9574652.

Area Green Space Plan update The public consultation on ideas and options for parks and green spaces and potential sites for sale came to a close on 29 October.

Bristol City Council’s Cabinet are deciding the fate of parks and agreeing disposal sites as we go to print.

The Area Green Space Plan will come into effect this New Year. Neighbourhood Partnerships will then be asked identify investment priorities.

Any income generated from site disposal will be invested in parks and green spaces.

Each park’s scheme will be subject to further public consultation.

The clearing of Cotton Mill Lane Blooming goo d work

Cobden Green will be in full bloom this sp ring now that local residents have planted 400 b ulbs on the gre en space.

Funding was p rovided by Ashley, Easto n and Lawren ce Hill Neighbourhoo d Partnership Clean and Green initiati ve.

Suggestions f or planting th e bulbs came from lo cal people at the Neighbourhoo d Forum in October.

On a cold, wet and breezy day in November Cotton Mill Lane green space was cleared of overgrowth, brambles and litter in the gated area‟s first make-over.

Phil (pictured) welcomed residents being able to use the space: “It‟s somewhere safe for the children to play and everyone in the Cotton Mill Lane community can see them.

It‟s better than crossing the main roads to get to the other parks, and stops them climbing over the fence to get their footballs”.

Cotton Mill Lane resident Kelly looks forward to its future. “The little ones will definitely use it. It‟s good to have green space to play on, not so much for plants, but a couple of benches and things to play with would be nice.

Having a lockable gate will hopefully stop dogs using it when the children are playing”.

Phil, joined by Francois, Terry from Sovereign Housing and Dave and Jerry from the council’s Clean and Green team

Help is out there Bilingual mentoring project proves positive for local families

Get Greenforce to sort our your green space

Based at the Old Bank on Church Road, the Bilingual Family Project is designed to support families with little or no English across Bristol to access the services they need.

Greenforce is a student-led community gardening project funded by Homebase in which students visit local gardens, green spaces or derelict ground to make the most of the space.

The project employs a team of bilingual mentors (between them they speak Polish, Somali, Urdu, Punjabi, French, German and Arabic) who can assess what services a family need and then help them to access that service.

They can make it more appealing, user-friendly or useful by clearing land and planting flowers, herbs or vegetables.

Recently an external evaluation of the project concluded; “The needs of some families with English not as their first language can be complex and extensive. The Bilingual Family Mentoring Project has made an excellent start at addressing these needs and there is clear evidence to show that the project has made a positive different to the lives of its clients.”

Sophie Taylor, the project manager said, “There are services that support adults in their first language to access the service they need, but what is unique about the bilingual family project is that we support both the young people and the adults across all services. “ For more information or to refer a family to this project, please call 07580 634085 or email Sophie or Mukter on taylors@cityacademy.bristol.sch.uk or abdim@cityacademy.bristol.sch.uk

Need help with your debts? East Bristol Advice Services can help you!

We are an independent, not for profit registered advice charity based in East Bristol. For FREE, confidential advice call 0117 914 7698 or email advice@ebas.org.uk

Projects can be one-off or ongoing and can (ideally) working together with local residents or run solely by student volunteers.

Contact greenforce-sca@bristol.ac.uk or call 9545888 to find out more. Let Greenforce know what they can do for you!

Your Neighbourhood Forums Come and report problems one to one with officers and hear what’s happening in your area.

At the October neighbourhood forum residents heard about the communal bin roll out for Stapleton Road, the Neighbourhood Partnership’s clean and green scheme and the potential sale and redevelopment of Ducie Road car park in Barton Hill as part of Bristol City Council’s site allocation plans. Residents were informed that bins on Stapleton Road could be moved if residents were not satisfied with their location. A clear majority of residents voted in favour of keeping Ducie Road car park, and asked that CCTV cameras be installed to catch fly tippers. The forum took suggestions for how the £500 for each ward from the Neighbourhood Partnership could be used to improve the area’s environment.

The November forum highlighted the need to reduce improve school attendance, as our area has some of the lowest levels in the city. Residents suggested having clearer information for parents about child illness and when it is suitable to still send children to class, building better relationships between school welfare officers and parents, and creating attendance ambassadors. Residents raised concerns about the lack of English classes in the area and building more houses and flats in our wards when numbers are already high. Residents also heard about future actions for improving the reputation and environment of Stapleton Road and plans to find long-term solutions to the challenges traders, young people and residents have been facing.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the recent positive actions that have happened as a result of resident requests:  A CCTV camera will now be installed at Ducie Road car park to catch people fly tipping  Armoury Square – the locked gate is now in place!  Dog fouling signs have been put up in Carlton (Cooksley Road) park  A gate has been put in place in Heber Street park to prevent dogs entering  7 warrants for arrests have been issued for drug dealing and possession in Marsh Lane  Local residents have planted 400 bulbs at Cobden Green for the Spring  A crack house has been closed on Villiers Road/Stapleton Road junction Next meetings: 20 January at Easton Primary School and 1 March at Barton Hill Settlement. 6pm to 8.30pm.

Turn over for more news on issues and concerns you’ve raised at the forums

Introducing Farhan Ahmed

between people, places and cultures. Easton and Lawrence Hill is a great place to live and work, and I want to continue to make it a better place for everybody, get more people involved in resolving any difficulties and make it a place that people are proud to be connected with.

Farhan Ahmed is a Community Development Worker at Bristol City Council, whose role is to facilitate each neighbourhood forum and engage local communities and a wide range In the New Year I’d like to see more partnership of stakeholders to raise their working and more organisations feeding their issues and take action. ideas into the forums. I am aiming to facilitate ―I ensure that residents’ concerns brought up and empower more local groups to present issues from residents to the forums and make at the forums are formed into a plan that is sure that they are not simply a talking shop but worked on by the relevant partner organisations such as the police, council departments, solutions and action focussed. businesses and voluntary agencies, and feed back on these issues to the community. I can The forums must happen across the whole also help local organisations with any issues area, reach everybody and be more accessible‖. they may be having in their neighbourhood.

Living locally myself, I understand the area, and want to keep working to bridge the gap

You can contact Farhan on Farhan.Ahmed@bristol.gov.uk or 9036442.

News Why the census count matters to you

Your ideas for cleaning up Ashley Easton and Lawrence Hill

Are you concerned about lack of health facilities, or thought there are not enough school places or teachers? Is there enough funding for your local projects?

Your Neighbourhood Partnership met with residents on 11 November to find innovative ideas to clean up our area that don‟t cost the earth and improve our everyday services. The Partnership is now able to influence how services are delivered and how future contracts are organised for waste management and grounds maintenance.

Every ten years, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) asks everyone in the UK to complete a form showing their household‟s details. These are used to allocate funds from central government to our local authority, who can then plan where money needs to be spent in local communities.

They asked residents about areas that are not getting looked after properly, and what the potential solutions might be. Here are some of your suggestions: “Operative to sign on a monitoring chart when the street has been swept (initial/time) on a public display on each street/in the parks etc.. (like the system they use in public loos at service stations and super markets) and a number for residents to contact if they have complaints”

In the last census count, less than 75% of residents completed their forms in Easton and Lawrence Hill, severely reducing the “Relieve people of the cost of reporting problems by freephone or texting” amount of money our area received. It “Use „spot checks‟ or a „mystery resident‟ approaches to monitor” has been estimated that every completed returned form is worth about £500 to the “Shops could go back to cleaning outside their own shop fronts once a week” local authority.

By completing your form, you are helping to get the resources we need in our area for the next ten years. Your personal details (e.g. name, address, date of birth) are only used to ensure that your details are counted only once. The rest of the data will be used to compile statistics required to plan resources.

Forms are kept secure for 100 years. All staff involved in handling data sign confidentiality statements and could face a custodial sentence of up to two years if they breach this trust. ONS are not allowed to pass any personal data to any government department.

For more information about the census, or if you can help spread the word through different communities, call Bill Clark, Area Manager Bristol on 07801 331522.

For help completing your form come to the Neighbourhood Shop at 108 Church Road.

The 2011 Census will be taking place on 27 March 2011, and must be returned by 10 April. It will also be available to complete online.

“Fixmystreet website works well – need to promote” “Council/contractor operatives & PCSO etc who are out and about to have a GPS camera which will send a picture to the call centre giving the location of the problem automatically. This involves no phone call”

Mosque decision unanimous On Wednesday 8 December the new mosque planned for Barton Hill got the go ahead from Bristol City Council‟s development control committee.

Members were unanimous in favour of the decision, which was approved in accordance with officer‟s recommendations.

Recommendations include noise pollution control conditions and implementation of the mosque‟s travel plan to limit the numbers of attendees parking in the area.

For the full report and decision go to the Bristol City Council website at www.bristol.gov.uk

News Keep our car park!

Residents at the October neighbourhood forum and traders canvassed on Lawrence Hill showed that they are overwhelmingly in favour of keeping Ducie Road car park. A clear majority agreed that selling the site would exacerbate Barton Hill‟s current parking problems.

The car park is one of many sites in the city earmarked for potential sale and redevelopment in Bristol City Council‟s Site Allocations Plan. Public consultation on the proposals closed on 29 October 2010.

Local people asked that parking restrictions be lifted for residents, business owners and community workers, and an ease on the three hour no return rule for shoppers.

Fly tipping, drug dealing and poor signage remain priority concerns. Residents and traders have also expressed frustration that funds previously proposed to upgrade the car park as part of the Showcase Bus route have not been forthcoming.

Bristol City Council has received more than 5,000 comments on sites for sale in the city. Any decisions on their future are not likely to be available until summer 2011.

I also work as Chair of the Somali Educator‟s Association, supporting the community and parents to deal with any issues Somali Achievement Strategy Manager for Barton Hill Primary and work with schools. We encourage parents to become governors, take part in decision-making and become a part of School, a founder of the Somali Resource Centre, founder and general secretary of the Amana Education Trust, member school life. of the Somali Forum, and supporting member of the Barton Hill mosque group: it‟s no wonder that Ahmed Abdi has won One of my biggest achievements was founding Amana which supports the school life of Somali children and offers an award for Community Activist of the Year. We asked Ahmed about his work and what winning an award means for supplementary school at the weekends. With the current lack of funding and space we are trying to mainstream him. supplementary services in schools, where children are familiar with the school and respect the teachers, but can further their “I offer advice and guidance to learning in a culturally specific and inclusive way. It‟s been a parents and support them with success already in Barton Hill Primary School and Hannah any issues they may have, not More. only in work time but anytime.

Community activist of the year 2010

In Bristol and nationally, each one of us needs to think about issues such as improving health, celebrating achievements and crime reduction. Everyone in the whole community should play a key role. No one should be left out. It‟s for you and me to be a part of that. I really admire the work that‟s been done in Barton Hill and the former New Deal for Communities area.

Achievements of Somali children have grown, and Barton Hill The community connection is strong here and should be learned from and reflected in other areas of the city.

Primary School has high achievers, which I see when I support them through not only primary school but their So what did Ahmed feel about winning the award? secondary school life. When children are given real opportunities they will do well.

“It was a fantastic opportunity. I Delivering family courses that help parents and children learn wasn‟t expecting it but it came at together and increasing awareness of how school works can the right time. It was encouragement for me to continue. help children succeed. We have also started a graduation I wasn‟t doing it for an award, but ceremony for children at Barton Hill Primary School, recognising their achievements and helping them be excited the acknowledgement is great, although it is not all me. My about higher education. colleagues are doing the same.”

Often I work outside of Bristol‟s boundaries, talking with head teachers, teachers and parents to facilitate mutual understanding.

News Community basketball court opens in Redcliffe A day of lay-ups, close shots, rebounds and three-pointers from students, staff and members of the community celebrated the official opening of their redeveloped community basketball court at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School.

On Friday 19th October, eight groups of students, staff and local people took it in turns to net as many points as they could, each in a 30 minute period. Each point represented 1 mile, and the target was to reach the total distance lying between the school and their sister school, Ikoba Secondary, in Uganda (4000 miles). Skill and great effort, along with the Ikoba motto „no sweat, no gain‟ made sure it was achieved.

This project was part-funded from the Safer Bristol community „Transformers‟ fund. Transformers funding enables young people from schools or youth organisations to help make their ideas for making a difference to their communities work. For more information and how your school or youth organisation can apply for funding go to www.bristol.gov.uk/transformers Find out more about the school online at www.smrt.bristol.sch.uk (for more about its partnership with Ikoba School in the Masindi region of Uganda look in the „Newsletters‟ section). To find out more about Safer Bristol go to www.saferbristol.org.uk

The court lies just outside the school grounds, next to the community gardens by Proctor House.

Neighbourhood and Housing Survey Terry Black, Sovereign South+West said ―This is a great opportunity for residents to influence the work of social landlords in Barton Hill.

By completing the survey, social landlords will work in partnership with residents to develop solutions to local housing issues‖.

Social housing providers are conducting a survey which will steer their work over the coming year.

You can complete the survey online by visiting : https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ BartonHillSurvey Computer access is available from the Housing Solutions Office (room 101 Barton House between 9am and 1pm or the Barton Hill Settlement).

Alternatively you can contact Terry Black on (0117) 317 0705 to receive a paper copy in English or Somali with a return stamped addressed envelope.

Closing date for completed questionnaires is Friday 28 January 2011.

Former Pit Pony apartments ready for rent Elim Housing Association have six two-bed apartments available for rent. These properties are located on Bouverie Street in Easton, part of a development of 21 units on the former Pit Pony site. The scheme is due for completion in Spring 2011.

The apartments are offered at lower rates, to make saving for a deposit on your own home affordable. To qualify you will need to be working a minimum of 16 hours per week and meet other relevant criteria.

Each property has a small patio or balcony, lounge/diner, kitchen, and bathroom with shower over bath. An oven, hob and extractor, fridge freezer and a washer/dryer are also included.

Some parking is available.

Contact Elim Housing on 01454 411172 or email info@elimhousing.co.uk

News How much school does your child miss?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child says: Every child has the right to an education. There‟s also a direct relationship between good attendance at school and how well our children and young people do in their lives.

How can we improve attendance and give our young people the best possible start in life?

Tummy bugs and 48 hour absence needs clarification

What are unacceptable reasons for keeping children off school?

These were two of the questions that were raised at the last Easton & Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Forum.

Julia Timlin, Head Teacher at Hannah More Primary, spoke about how schools in Easton and Lawrence Hill are working together in a partnership

with several agencies including Health, the Voluntary Sector and the Education Welfare Service to improve attendance in all twelve of them. The schools will have a common attendance policy.

The Government‟s target for school attendance is 95% which means no child should miss more than 10 days in a school year from September to July.

Yet many children miss more than this, affecting their chance of making long-lasting friendships, getting good exam results and setting good patterns for later working life.

How can schools and our communities work together to improve school attendance? How can you as a parent/carer or grandparent or friend or neighbour support your community and its schools? Please get in touch with your ideas.

Rachel Rodgers Easton & Lawrence Hill Extended Services Manager Fairfield Resource Centre, Fairlawn Road, BS6 5JW rachel.rodgers@bristol.gov.uk Or call your neighbourhood management team on 9039975

Your shop, your issues Worried about housing benefit changes?

Housing benefit shakeups and a lack of clear information about the changes have brought more residents into the shop asking for help.

Private tenants are worried that a decrease in their housing benefit entitlement may force them to move from their homes.

We will try our best to give clear information when you come to the shop as soon as any government decisions are finalised.

In the meantime, stay up to date with housing benefit reform by visiting Shelter’s website www.shelter.org.uk or for immediate advice ring their freephone number on 0808 800 4444.

The Neighbourhood Management Shop is based at 108 Church Road (The Old Bank)

Getting to know your Polish community Residents and local organisations gathered at Wellspring Healthy Living centre on Saturday 25 November to find out more about what services and support are available to the Polish community.

Organised by Polish health engagement workers, nearly seventy people came to sign up for ESOL at the Beacon Centre, have Polish food, attend workshops on stress management and dance, have complementary therapies and find support around accessing other health and wellbeing services.

Polish people and organisations working with them can contact Jakub Jablonowski and Anna Balcerek on 3041426 for more information.

Contact the Beacon Centre on 9351471 to sign up for ESOL courses.

What’s up with Stapleton Road?

Love it or hate it? Stapleton Road gets a lot of bad press yet is also busy, thriving and loved. A stroll along Stapleton Road is a journey of multicultural feasts and international languages, exquisite fashions and fabrics, friendly corner shops, some of the best fruit and vegetable stalls in town and unique produce and services you‟d be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the South West. People come from miles around to get a taste of the Stapleton Road vibe.

Traders, shoppers and residents alike will defend it with fierce pride and passion.

Take another stroll along this street and you could be side-stepping fast food cartons, your shoe sticking to chewing gum on the slabs. Groups gather and there seems to be little space to get by. Chaotic parking leads to frustration. The burning of a bandana on the church steps says this is postcode gang turf war territory.

Stapleton Road has more to offer now than it did five years ago, but was hit hard again this summer. The tragedy of a young life taken led to loss of trade, fear for what would happen next and for many it confirmed what they thought they already knew – Stapleton Road is a place to be avoided.

Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Management wanted to find out what you really think and feel about Stapleton Road. So took to the streets in September and talked to more than 300 local shoppers, traders and residents. Here‟s a snapshot of what you said.

“I love the place. I live on Stapleton Rd. Lived here all my life. Has it’s moments. I get no aggravation whatsoever. I know every business, have probably painted most of them! Every place has its moment including Fishponds, Clifton, but I love drinking down here, it’s a better atmosphere”

Getting the Stapleton Road street party back for 2011 was one suggestions from the 1 December Open forum on Stapleton Road at

“Police action is not good, they are just sirens, not stopping, only come after I love Stapleton Rd. More could be made of it. Bad things happen but it’s never happened to me. It’s a lovely place. People smile back. Reputation is an issue – we need to do more.

Inspector Julie Bowle speaks at the open forum: “The Police are committed to working with public services alongside residents, business and voluntary communities to address local concerns in Stapleton Road.

We have been listening to feedback from residents and traders who have voiced concerns about their neighbourhood, ranging from crime, feeling safe and a desire for greater levels of visible police on the beat, to the area‟s appearance as well as traffic issues.

A long term commitment and coordinated approach from everyone is crucial to making a difference and I have therefore been working closely with other agencies and the Council in particular to make that happen”.

“Good place, more lively than Denmark where I’m from. Good facilities. Feel – safe, no problem”.

“Very dirty – dirty all the time. People park making it difficult for wheelchair users. Its been dirty for years. People drop litter – they need educating”.

“Wonderful. Diverse. Mix of shops. Colourful. There should be a late opening Youth Centre and cafes...

I feel wonderful in Stapleton Road”

Street-based surveying of area of anti-social behaviour

Open forum finds long term solutions

Community Resolve‟s street-based team spent 18 weeks over the summer talking to young people and adults on the streets and at their homes, and visited shops, businesses and agencies. The team focused on an entrenched area of anti-social behaviour in BS5 - in Villiers Road, Walton Street, Felix Road, Chaplin Road and Stapleton Road (between Oxford Place and Seymour Road.

Re-building Stapleton Road’s reputation Residents and traders came to open meetings and drop-ins on 1 December to have their say on re-building Stapleton Road’s reputation, and find solutions to its current challenges.

As with our own survey, Community Resolve found that people on Stapleton Road are tolerant of each other. Residents, parents and shopkeepers are frustrated by the situation created by the local drugs trades, frustrations that are directed at the police and at young people hanging out. Residents and businesses alike wanted to create a dialogue with the police, and wanted to see something done by agencies to step up action and clean up Stapleton Road, Villiers Road and Walton Street.

Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill Partnership called the Open Forum to start the process of setting up a sub-group to put Stapleton Road back on the map for the right reasons. The sub-group will meet regularly and drive through the necessary changes to support business, increase safety and create real opportunities for young people’s futures.

Most adults are sympathetic toward the young people of the road, but call for consistent and targeted action by the authorities to eradicate the „mayhem‟ generated by the drug trading. Shopkeepers would like to offer some training support if such a scheme could be set up.

When young people were asked about their lives and their futures, many said they felt powerless over their environment, felt there were limited training and employment opportunities and didn‟t see what prospects they had. For a copy of the findings get in touch with Community Resolve on 955 3021 or info@communityresolve.org.uk Di Robinson of Bristol City Council Service Director, Neighbourhoods & Communities speaking at the open forum: “You know best how the neighbourhood works.

Officers will be there to support you and senior managers will back you every step of the way”

Trader’s View

Abdul Malik Managing Director Pak Butchers

For more information on the sub-group contact Penny Germon on 9039879 or penny@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk Young people challenge negative street cred Baggator‟s Stapleton Road Project came from a couple of young people who wanted to celebrate the positive side of life on Stapleton Road and challenge people's negative perceptions by telling them something of the street's history. Interviewing residents for a DVD, visiting the archives of the Bristol Records Office, designing postcards for tourists, and a European exchange project were just some of the project‟s eye-opening activities.

Contact Pete on 9557733 or visit www.baggator.org Communal bins rolled out Communal bins were rolled out on Stapleton Road and in the surrounding streets on Monday 22 November, in the first of many actions to cut street waste and create more Paul and Aaron fix the pavement space.

“Stapleton Road, is a great place to trade because of its multi-cultural and diverse make up: the rich cultural diversity is reflected in the new bins into place. different shops and the local community. You can find products from all around the globe on this single stretch of road and this is what makes it unique.

If I could change something I would organise the traders so that they have a voice to celebrate and talk about the wonderful area from where they trade, and help people to see the true picture and attract interest throughout the UK to our „Stapleton Road‟. It would also help if we could „re-brand‟ the road to reflect it‟s positive Clearer pavements on Stapleton Road contribution to the local community and indeed the economy”.

The communal bin scheme has already been piloted in St Paul‟s with great success and popularity. Residents there are amazed at the difference it has made.

If you need information about the bin scheme or feel a bin is in the is in the wrong place call Bristol City Council on 9222100

What has your neighbourhood policing team been up to lately?

Swell operation swoops on illegal traders (The Dings and St Philips beat) On Sunday 28 November 2010 a joint operation - Operation Swell - took place between Trading Standards and Police, targeting illegal traders selling counterfeit goods at the St Philips Bristol fruit market. Following months of planning, officers targeted specific vehicles carrying counterfeit goods in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Four males were arrested and bailed pending further enquiries. In total ÂŁ90,000 worth of counterfeit clothing has been seized by Police along with two commercial vans.

PCSOs give internet safety advice

Barton Hill Team target Illegal drug trade Following complaints from local people a series of raids On Thursday 25 November 2010 the local beat were carried out by the Barton Hill team during team attended the Barton Hill Settlement to give November, resulting in four arrests for supply offences a talk on internet safety to a group of parents. and the seizure of a substantial quantity of class A drugs.

Messages delivered focused around the As the result of an operation involving the dangers for children and parents on-line and a Neighbourhood Policing Team in December last few simple steps to combat them. year a local man was found guilty of possession If you want advice on internet safety to visit the following sites: http://www.ceop.police.uk http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk

of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis. The case officer PC Tom Gent said: "We seized drugs to a value of excess of ÂŁ3000 from a local residential flat. This would undoubtedly have been sold in the local community. It will now be forfeit and the offender faces a stiff penalty in the courts."

Community safety Barton Hill hotspots need your help Do you often spot things that aren‟t right in your street? Maybe it‟s a damaged fence, graffiti, a broken drain pipe or a pile of rubbish that makes your street an eyesore.

Did you know that residents and the agencies that can fix these issues have been getting together to get these things sorted?

Barton Hill‟s community walkabouts are a great way to physically show agencies what you want fixing or improving in your street or around your home. Sometimes we all need a bit of help to visualise what the issue is, so pointing out the problems can really make a difference.

Agencies have three months in which to fix the problems that have been raised by residents.

Most actions are completed in this time. Any that are carried forward into the next period are marked in red to show the agencies involved that they need to get in touch with their contractors and finish the job.

In the last three months eagle-eyed residents have spotted litter and rubbish at Barton Court (now cleared up by Place‟s for People), that signage to Wellspring was facing the wrong way (sorted by Highways), and trees needed their bases weeding at Barton Hill Road (cleared by Sovereign Housing). A mattress that had been dumped on Marsh Lane has been swiftly removed

by Street Scene.

Tony Hicks of Housing Solutions who organises the walkabouts says “Don‟t just sit back and think someone else will do it. It‟s like seeing a crime and not reporting it because you think someone else will have done it already.

If you see something that‟s not right in the Barton Hill area come and tell us about it. Coming on a community walkabout is about taking pride in your community”. Snow can be fun...

To find out more get in touch with Tony on tony@housingsolutionstmo.org or give him a call on 9141481.

Does your area need a walkabout? Call Francois at Neighbourhood Management team to get one started on 3773640

Snow can be fun... but stay safe this winter Bristol City Council have a new web page giving you advice on dealing with freezing weather: * FAQs on grit bins and road gritting * Tips for clearing snow and ice * Guidance on the legal position in clearing snow from public areas, *Up to date info on council services affected by snow

www.bristol.gov.uk/snow

Tackling

Drop Drop--In 2011

Concerned about crime or anti-social behaviour?

Want to talk to somebody about it?

Want some action taken?

Drop in and speak informally and in confidence Safer Bristol.

14 and 28 January , 11 and 25 February, 11 and 25 March Neil Burwell Community Safety Officer 07795 446429

10am to 12pm Stapleton Road Congregational Chapel Newton Street, Easton

Lloyd Allen Assistant Community Safety Officer 07825 315628

Older and younger When children climbed the walls

By Maureen Waller On the 19th October the whole 128th St Gabriel‟s Scout Group, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, went to Tytherington Quarry Activity Centre.

Half of the group tackled the indoor climbing wall, which most of the Beavers (aged 6-8) managed with no difficulty, whilst one or two needed some coaxing !! Even I climbed the wall for the first time which was great fun. When they were all on the top level they abseiled back down the wall, some came down SAS style, Fast-and Furious.

The other half of the group spent time going through man-made tunnels and fake caves. There are three grades of tunnels easy, moderate and hard; some of the Scouts and Cubs did the harder ones whilst the Beavers did the easy ones. All of the children were wearing hard hats with lights on and knee pads for protection.

The instructor was in the tunnel with the children to ensure their safety and if necessary lead them out if they were scared, but in true 128th style even the youngest braved it. Alone. As I waited outside I could hear much laughter coming from the tunnels, a lot of them wanted to go back in to try another one. At the end of the session there were many happy excited young people.

Next year all Beaver Scouts celebrate their 25th Anniversary and starting January 1st 2011 we‟ll be sharing a whole lot of exciting, action packed adventures. If you have a child aged 6 to 8 years who would like to join us please contact Jayne Richer, Beaver Scout Leader and Executive Committee Member on 0790 600 4873. Parents of older children can also come along to the Scout HQ in Woodborough Street and join us there.

Start times and days Beaver Scouts Age 6-8 years Tuesday 6 – 7pm Cub Scouts Age 8-10 years Tuesday 7—8.30pm Scouts Age 10 Years Thursday 7.30 – 9pm30pm

Hard hitting hip hop by young homeless Young people supported by Independent People have produced a CD called “Merger – A Place Called Home” It‟s a compilation of predominantly Hip Hop tracks, with hints of world music. Lyrics are strong and tackle issues such as drugs, loneliness and housing. They are informative and a true reflection of some of the issues faced by young homeless people striving for independence in Bristol today.

The CD costs £6 and is available from Independent People offices at 59 Old Market Street. Soon available for download through www.1625ip.co.uk

Older and younger LinkAge is looking to the New Year and planning some innovative schemes to make a difference to the lives of older people, using the energy and skills of the young!

SMALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE JOBS? HELP COULD BE AT HAND LinkAge is finding out if older people could do with a bit of help for small jobs that are just too awkward to manage but would make a big difference to their well-being and safety. For example, tightening pan handles, hanging curtains, de-frosting fridges, de-cluttering and moving furniture.

Young adults would be employed to carry out these jobs within their immediate community. In this way, we create new bonds between the young and their neighbouring elders. Our focus is on very basic jobs that sit below the established handyperson schemes of Age Concern and Care & Repair. The cost of these jobs would be very affordable.

We are currently working out the details of the scheme so let us know what small jobs older people really need done and what would be a reasonable charge for them . Finally, if you know any 20- 25yrs unemployed person who is motivated to work and sensitive to older people, please call Kathe on 304 1726.

COMPUTER ASSISTANCE FOR OLDER PEOPLE Many of the online centres and computer learning support facilities have now closed down due to various funding cuts.

LinkAge want to find younger people in our area who could spare an hour a week to help teach older people about the computer basics. This would be how to use the keyboard and mouse, find things on the internet, and use email.

At the moment, this is a new idea and we hope it will take place in libraries, learning venues and community venues in the near future.

We may be able to contribute some “pocket money� expenses.

If you know a young adult who would like to help someone learn about computers, please contact Kathe on 304 1726.

The Play Rangers provide FREE outdoor activities for children aged between 5 to 13 years in your local parks and green areas. Look out for the Play Rangers in 4 locations near you.

Contact Rob House at Barton Hill Settlement on 955 6971 for more information.

Gaunts Ham Park Lawrence Hill

3.15 pm to 5.45 pm

Mondays

Netham Park Redfield

Tuesdays 3.15 pm-5.45 pm

St George Park St George

Wednesdays 3.15pm to 5.30pm

Urban Park, Barton Hill

Fridays 3.45pm to 5.45pm

Happy and healthy

Happy and healthy Help to get you a happier and healthier lifestyle this New Year The inner city health improvement team aims to improve the health of people from local communities through supporting them to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles. They are working to provide effective early health intervention projects in order to reduce and illuminate health inequalities.

Who are they?

Health community development workers work with local people to set up or work with formal and informal support groups (mothers and toddlers groups, healthy eating and weight loss groups, emotional support groups) to deliver health related projects.

Health trainers are people from your community who have been trained to help support you, either one to one or in a group, in choosing a healthier lifestyle.

How can they help you? ♥ Talking and listening to you face to face and understanding your difficulties. ♥ Support you, your group or friends to set targets in a wide range of activities (weight loss, walking, group swimming activities) and provide regular health checks. ♥ Help you to develop a health change plan. ♥ Help you prevent long term health problems, such as obesity or diabetes. ♥ Organise local health promotion events and campaigns. ♥ Direct you to local projects and support groups that will help you to better health ♥ Offer you lifestyle advice in nutrition, physical activity, breastfeeding, alcohol, smoking, sexual health, mental health and obesity

Where are they?

Health Trainers and the community development workers are based in the community: Lawrence Hill team Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, Barton Hill, 3041436 Ismail Omar: 07789943154 Tamadour Saliem: 07785973760.

Easton team Easton Community Centre Morowa Selassie: 07789943146, Teresa Cirant: 07785 971918.

St Paul‟s team Hayley Milla Coggins: 07785 996 949 / 9144418

Bristol

Things to do this winter Positive Minds Music Workshops Music sessions for pure enjoyment and fun with sounds and instruments, to bring colour into your life.

You don‟t have to have any experience of playing an instrument to come along and have some fun and meet others too!!

Mondays 8pm to 10pm January 10, 12, 17 Bristol Mind, 35 Old Market Street Contact: Marcus Campbell 07773397417 musicboyuk@gmail.com Only £5 for 2 hours

Childminders wanted More childminders are needed to work in Easton and Lawrence Hill. Childminders are people who look after other people‟s children in the childminders home.

They have to work within a framework of regulations and are regularly inspected by Ofsted.

Being self employed, the number of hours or days that you work is up to you and it can fit in very well if you have children of your own.

If you want to know more about becoming a childminder or using a childminder call Family Information Service on 0845 129 7217 or email askcyps@bristol.gov.uk and ask for Denise.

Things to do this winter Could you elect new Directors?

Now that Easton Community Centre is managed by local people again, we are looking for anyone who lives or works in the area to become members. We already have 50, and want at least another 100!

You can help the Centre grow and provide more activities, events, training and become a voice for local concerns.

Our 1st Annual General Meeting as a new Company Limited by Guarantee will be held on Wednesday 2 February at 6.30pm at Easton Community Centre. New Directors will be elected

by Company Members.

So thereâ€&#x;s still time to join up, become a member and elect the people who will lead the centre into 2011 – plus you could stand to be elected as one of those Directors if you become a member.

Contact us at info@eastoncommunitycentre.org.uk or 0117 954 1409 or come to the Centre in Kilburn Street, Easton, BS5 6AW

Things to do this winter

Come and learn Taekwondo *Improve Confidence * Flexibility *

Easton Community Cen-

Call 07590 383287 or 3281482

UK’s first bellydancing academy opens in Barton Hill Britain‟s first permanent studio dedicated to Middle Eastern Dance and Music, The Dar Tangerina Academy (DTA) has opened its doors at the Old School House, Barton Hill, Bristol as part of Bristol Spaceworks.

International belly dance artist Shema, a dancer formerly with the world famous „Arabesque Dance Company‟ in Canada, has set up the Academy, to introduce a combination of dance, percussion and cultural classes for students and instructors all under one roof.

Detailed on www.tangerina.org, the studio‟s schedule includes weekly dance and percussion classes aimed at all levels of ability and they will be presenting a series of regular dance shows, workshops, henna evenings and seminars on Middle Eastern culture with teachers from across the world.

Contact Shema on 07805 354312 or email shema@tangerina.org for more information.

fit4me : Post-natal Group fitness sessions - mother & baby Mondays 10.30 – 11.30am Easton Community Centre health | fitness | wellbeing for mums      

Fun, friendly, relaxed environment Join a well established local group Tone and strengthen your body, Improve flexibility & balance Meet other mums & their little ones Community Cafe to relax and chat after First trial session £5, block of 6 for £30 or £6.50 pay as you go.

Concessions available.

saskia@fit4me.co.uk www.fit4me.co.uk 07903 128949

Thanks to those of you who responded to our letters about receiving the newsletter despite having no junk mail stickers. We had a really positive response and are pleased so many of you enjoy reading the newsletter.

Contact us WANT US TO TEXT YOU? SEND US A TEXT ON 07903089002 Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Management Team Neighbourhood Management Shop Mandy and Mubarig - 0117 353 2020 mandy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk mubarig@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk

Tracy Parsons Office and Finance Manager 0117 903 9975 officemanager@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk

Thanks to you all for your hard work making Easton and Lawrence Hill a great place to live.

Keep sending your news and views in 2011!!

If for any reason you have trouble reading this newsletter come and see us at The Old Bank or call 0117 377 3638.

Disclaimer: The opinions and information contained in this publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Management.

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Please dispose of it responsibly after you have finished with it.

Francois Jensen Neighbourhood Facilitator 0117 377 3640 francois@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk Sorrel Parsons Communications Officer 0117 377 3638 sorrel@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk Penny Germon Neighbourhood Manager 0117 903 9879 penny@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk

Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Management The Old Bank 108 Church Road Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9LJ Check out our website www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk

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