fishpondsvoice June, 2019 — ISSUE 53
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We've lost everything in big fire - and nobody wants to know PEOPLE whose livelihoods went up in flames in the huge fire at the Strachan and Henshaw building say they have been left in limbo. About 30 businesses used the site of the former engineering works, on the corner of Deep Pit Road and Foundry Lane, Speedwell, for storage or workshops. Some were destroyed in the blaze on May 3 and all are now out of bounds, as the building has been declared unsafe. It is now due to be demolished and has been fenced off, with on-site security. But the business owners based at the building still don’t have any answers to their questions: how the fire started, whether they will receive any compensation or even be able to access their
premises to see if there is anything left to salvage. Michael Dubique ran upholstery and furniture business the Bristol Sofa Doctor from a unit at the site for six years. He said: “I have lost everything. My livelihood is gone, my business has gone. “It’s a nightmare – you wake up thinking you’ve got work to go to and then you realise there’s nothing there any more. You can’t pick anything back up. You can’t get into the building or get any information. “I’m getting work offers but I can’t take the offers because I haven’t got any tools, because they were in there. Turn to Page 10
Salute to Tracey! Fishponds nurse Tracey Arthur has worked at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre for more than two decades and her mum and sister have been treated there - so she has plenty of reasons to support the centre. Her cycling, abseiling and cake sales have put her in line for a national Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award. Report: Page 20
Championing our community These picnickers are celebrating a successful watercolour course, one of many activities started by Greater Fishponds Community Champions. PAGE 27
Vandal attack on workhouse stone Residents are dismayed after vandals attacked a memorial to the thousands of men, women and children who died in Eastville Workhouse. PAGE 4
Rocket Man of Fishponds You might have heard of the new film Rocket Man, about the early years of Elton John, but did you know the former Reg Dwight once spent a night in Fishponds? PAGE 13
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