SouthmeadNews&What’sOn OLYMPIC DREAMS
“ItrainedfortheRomeOlympics here”themansaid,asweboth lookedoutfromthecaféwindows acrosstheGreenwayplayingfields. Spokenasifhewasmakingan underwhelmingremarkaboutthe weather,ratherthanreminiscingabout hismiddle-distanceprowessonthe world-stagein1960.Forabrief moment,Icouldn’tquitebelievewhat I’dheard.He’dcometovisitGreenway toseetheGromitsculpture,partofthe 2018publicarttrail,andwhereonce he’dtrainedontheoldGreenwayBoys Schoolrunningtrack-astateoftheart facilityinits�meandusedforregionwidecompe��ons(photoonpage2). Nowmymindwassparkingwith thoughtsofspor�ngelites,the pinnacle,andhistoriesofgloryand
gold.Lookingoutthatwindow,Icould connectSouthmeadtotheOlympic storyandwithittocountless thousandsofothercommuni�es acrosstheglobe.Butthenthe Olympicsdoeshaveahabitofshowing uplikethis-connec�ngtheglobaland thelocal,crea�ngall-too-rare momentswherewefeelanauthen�c connec�onwiththerestof humankind.Justtheotherweekmy Dad–onholidayinGreeceWhatsappedmeaphotoofhim standingwiththeOlympictorchandits entourage.Des�nedtoarriveinParis forthebeginningofthisyear’sGames on26thJuly,thetorchhad unassuminglyandbycomplete happenstancedecidedtogopasthis hotelwindow.Afun,inspiringand unforge�ablemomentconnec�nghim totherestoftheworld.
INSIDE
P.3SouthmeadFes�val
P.5RememberingMarion
P.6OurCommunityPlaces& Faces
P.7ANewCommunity Service
P.9ADayOutwithJames
P.10MeadowstoMeaders5: Allinfofortheshow
P.12ClimatePlanNews
P.13SouthmeadStreetTrees
P.14MemorialGarden Update
P.17Celebra�ngOurSteve
P.18LocalMee�ngs&Info
<con�nuedfromfront
Thisiswhyhereat theTrustweare delightedthatthe Olympicshavebeen chosenasathemefor thisyear’s SouthmeadFes�val: TheMeadOlympics!We lovebringingpeopletogether andcrea�ngjoyous,nourishing connec�ons.TheOlympicvaluesof beingthebestyoucanbe,respect andfriendship,speakstohowthe Trustworksalongsideresidentsin ourcommunity;helpingpeopleto recognisetheirstrengthsand offeringsupport.
So,con�nuingourpartin thestory,attheSouthmead Fes�valonSaturday13th July2024wewillcelebrate thesevaluesthrougha varietyofgames, compe��ons,performing arts,musicandfood.We wouldlovetoseeyouthereand foreveryonetobeinvolved. Anyonekeentorunthecoconut shy?
Perhaps,oneday,therewillbe aBri�shGoldMedallistinWelly BootThrowingwhofirstgotataste forthesportonFes�valday!
facili�esandclubs,includingour GreenwayGym,thefieldoutside whereSouthmeadRugbyClubplay, thePenParkSportsgroundwhere SouthmeadAthle�cFCplay-all placesthatneedinves�nginand protec�ng.WiththeOlympicdream aliveandwellinourcommunity,we needplaceswherepeoplecanbe theirbest.Whoknowswhowill starthereastheybegintheirown Olympicjourneyatthisyear’s Fes�val!
TheOlympicsareaboutmore thansport.They’reabouthavinga healthyrela�onshipbetweenbody andmind,aboutse�ngaside rivalries,andcelebra�ngculture andpeace.
TheGreenwayBoysSchool cinderrunningtrack–whereour fellowOlympianwouldhave trainedin1960-isnolongerhere. Anythingthatmayremainofitnow laysunderthefounda�onsofnew, neighbouringbuildings.
Fortunately,Southmeads�ll boastsawonderfularrayofsports
Pleasecontactustosetupan ac�vity,game,display,compe��on, plusanyotherideas,forresidents toenjoyatthisyear’sFes�val. Thinkaswidelyasyoulikeanythinggoes!There’sano�ce boardatGreenwaywheremany peoplehavealreadyaddedthings they’dliketoseeorputon-come andaddyourthoughts,oremail: info@southmead.org,orcall: 01179503335
ThephotobelowisSouthmeadin1963.Youcanjustseetherunningtrack(1)attheGreenwayBoys School(2)whereourOlympiantrainedforthe1960Games.Alsohighlighted(3)isBownessGardens pre-fabvillage-theinspira�onforMeadowstoMeaders5onSaturday18th May(alldetailsonpage 10&11),with(4)theancientburialmound(theTump)onwhichtheopenairshowwillbeperformed.
REMEMBERINGMARION1951-2023
Ifirstmetmyfriendand colleagueMarionBaynes,onasnowy winter’snight,inapackedGreenway Centre,aswewerebothelectedas volunteerTrusteesforthe SouthmeadDevelopmentTrust.My nextvividmemoryofMarionisof herbeingdressedupasafortune tellerattheSouthmeadFes�valin thesummerof2009!Throughout thenextthirteenyearswebecame close,volunteeringandbeingonthe BoardofTrusteestogether.
MarionwasborninSouthmead, wenttoPenParkschool,andwasa totallycommi�edcommunity champion.Shewashardworking, fair,andforthirtyyearsemployedat theGreenwayCommunityPrac�ce. Shewasanambassadorforthe SouthmeadDevelopmentTrustand forSouthmeadacrosstherestofthe City.
Althoughshewasdevotedto Southmead,shewasrealis�cand knewthatlifeherecouldbetough. Shewaspassionateaboutge�ngthe bestforSouthmead,succeedingwith her,o�enrisky,senseofhumour whichbroughtfuntoeverysitua�on. Shealwaysrememberedtothinkof andincludeeveryone,“butwhat aboutFonthill?”sheusedtosayat everymee�ng!
Workingincrediblyhardto supportnewprojectsandservices withtheSouthmeadDevelopment Trust,Marionwashandson.She evenvolunteeredfortheGreenway Caféwhenitwasstruggling,andher homemadebreadpuddingwas everyone’sfavourite!Shewouldjoke aboutbringingasleepingbagand stayingoverbecauseshespentso much�meatGreenway!Shewould a�ackeverythingthatneededtobe donewitharealtenacityandwould followajobthrough-likeadogwith abone-un�lasitua�onwassorted.
Marionwascrucialtoge�ng communityhealthini�a�vesgoing. ShewasintegraltotheSouthmead DevelopmentTrustbecomingthe city-wideleaderoftheSocial Prescribingservice,andtochanging
thelivesof thousandsofresidents inNorthWestBristol.This serviceledtowell-lovedSouthmead ac�vitygroupssuchasSouthmead Crea�veWriters,Swimmingat HenleazeLake,GreenwayStrollers, andsessionstosupportresidents withenergy,debtadvice,thecostof living,andemployment.Marion stronglybelievedthatpeoplecould maketheirownlivesbe�erwithabit ofsupport.
Shewasadedicatedmemberof volunteercommi�eesandgroups suchastheSouthmeadFes�valand TheMead.Sheledsteeringgroup mee�ngswithlocalCouncillorsand GPs,andalwaysturnedupat communityeventstolendahand, andwhereeveryoneseemedtoknow her.Marion’sprizeskillwasthatshe just‘gotpeople’andwasinterested
ineveryoneshe met.Shehadamazing listeningskillsandwas anexcellentjudgeofcharacter withoutbeingjudgemental.She wouldremembereverydetailthat youtoldher,andeverythingthatwas goingon,toconnectpeoplewiththe thingstheywereinterestedinor needed.
WeknowMarionisgreatly missedbyeveryoneinthe community,andbyallthe SouthmeadDevelopmentTruststaff attheGreenwayCentreandThe Ranchwhoadoredher.Imissheras adearfriendandbymysideasa fellowSouthmeadVolunteer,butwe knowherhardworkwillleavea las�nglegacyinourcommunity.I knowyouwillalljoinmeinsending lovetoherhusbandDennisandtheir threechildren,Dan,HanandEllie.
OURCOMMUNITYPLACES&FACES
InresponsetotheCost-of-Living Crisisyoumayremember differentorganisa�onscrea�ngmaps ofplacesyoucouldgotoforwarmth, ortochargeyourphone,andgetacup oftea.ThereareWelcomeSpaces, WarmSpaces,WarmandWelcoming Spaces,andPlacesofWelcometo nameafew.Weareluckyenoughto havesomewonderfulcommunity peopledoingsomewonderful communitythingsaroundSouthmead, andineachedi�onofTheMeadIam goingtodoabitofaspotlightonone ofthem.Ifyouknowsomewhereor someonethatcouldbefeatured, pleasegetintouch.
ThefirstisSouthmeadCommunity Centre,runbytheSouthmead CommunityAssocia�on.Decep�vely quietontheoutside,theCentrehasa rangeofregulareventsandmee�ngs, aswellasamember’sbarwhichyou canjoinfor£13peryear.Thereisa hallwithasprungfloorthatis availableforpar�es,andlunchatthe Tuesdaylunchclubtheyholdinthe hallsmellsamazing!
OnmyrecentvisitImetwithDavid Bellamy.Davehasbeenavolunteerat theCentreformanyyears.Hetold
Dave&SandraBellamy-dedicatedSouthmeadCommunityAssocia�onVolunteers
me: “Despiteneverhavinglivedin SouthmeadIspendmore�mehere thananywhereelse!Imetmywife SandrahereatanEasterweekend churcheventfi�y-eightyearsago, whenshewasintheGirlsBrigadeat NewBrunswickURC,andsheiss�ll invitedtoreunioneventsthere.We marriedtherefi�y-fiveyearsago. Sandrawasbroughtupin Southmead,butIlivedinFishponds un�lwemarried,thenwehadaflat togetherinCli�on.Nevertheless,I havebeenconnectedtoSouthmead allthis�methroughSandra'sparents
whowenttotheCommunityCentre, andencouragedustogoontripsthat werearrangedbyPeggyRobinson.In 2007wewereinvitedontothe Commi�ee,andwehaveworkedthere aspartofawidergroupofvolunteers eversince”.
Davewouldbedelightedtosee youattheSouthmeadCommunity Centre.Formoreinforma�onabout what’sonthere,pleasecall: 01179501187,oremail: southmeadcommunitycentre@ outlook.com
CELEBRATINGAYEAROFSONG!
fewothers.Wewishhimwelland allourlovegoeswithhim.
TheGreenwaySingers celebratedreachingoneyear bydressingup!The70sthemewas greatfun,everyonejoinedin,some costumesweresuppliedbyyoung Pamandthelovelycakessupplied byourPauline-theywerevery yummy.
Wealsosanganewsongtothe group,DannyBoy(verysad)-we sungitforWillDorney-the ManagerwhowasleavingThe RanchtobeaD.JonRichard Branson’sNeckerIslandinthe Caribbean;Willloveditsomuchhe criedbuckets,lovehim,andsodida
Wearelookingforwardtoour secondyearoflaughingand singing.Comeandjoinus,youare mostwelcome,onThursdaysfrom 2-3:30pmatGreenway.
ANEWCOMMUNITYSERVICE
IrecentlyjoinedtheSouthmead DevelopmentTrustasthe newCommunityLinkWorkerforour newservice GoingHomefrom Hospital.Myroleistosupportpeople whohavereturnedhome,tolive independently,tosocialise,andaccess localcommunitygroups,ac�vi�es,and services.I’vereallyenjoyedmyfirst fewmonthsintherole,ge�ngto knownewcolleagues,findingout aboutlocalservices,andmee�ng someofthelovelypeopleI’llbe helping.
Theserviceisanew partnershipforuswith AgeUKBristol.Their team,basedat SouthmeadHospital (picturedabove),look a�erarrangementsfor pa�entspre-discharge.They helppa�entstoiden�fywhattheir needswillbeathome,andthenrefer themtolinkworkersintheNHS,and tothoseinthevoluntaryand communitysector-likeme.
Weknowthatrecoveringfroman illnessoropera�onathomeismore
effec�vethan stayingin hospitalfor prolonged periods.People o�enfeel happierand more comfortablein familiar surroundings, andbeingat homecan support recoveryand reducetheriskofge�ngan infec�oninhospital.Italso helpstoprevent‘decondi�oning’wherepeople losetheabilitytodothings forthemselves.
peopleaccesstherightservicesto supportthemleavinghospital.
TheNHSarenow workingwithorganisa�ons likeourstoestablishsystems tomeettheneedsofpa�entsand helpthemtosuccessfullyrehabilitate athome.Familiesandcarerswillbe moreinvolvedwithdischarge decisions,anda‘transferofcarehub’ willmanagethedifferenthospital dischargeroutes,helpingtoensure
TheAgeUKteamreferpa�ents tome,beforeorwhenthey’redue toreturnhome.Theserviceisfor peopleagedover50,livinginNorth andWestBristol.I’mlooking forwardtomee�ngresidentsin theirhomesorinacommunity se�ngtohelptomakethe transi�onfromhospitaltohomeas smoothaspossible,andI’llbe workingtomakesurepeoplehave everythingtheyneedtostaywell andmakethenextstepsto recovery.
TECHNICALLYSPEAKING
Manythingsaremovingonline,whether ge�ngyourfoodshopping,staying connectedwithfriendsandfamily,oronlinebanking. Butitcanbefrustra�ngifyou’venotbeenshown howtodothesethingsonlinebefore.Thisiswhy TechyTeaPartyishere!
TechyTeaPartyhappenseverytwoweekson Mondays,11am-12:30pm,inCommunityCornerat theGreenwayCentre.We’vesupportedpeoplelike Johntolearnhowtotransferhissimcardtohisnew phone,andtransferacrosshiscontacts.Wehelped Sama�achale�ertoanemailandputemailsinto folders,andStevetolearnmoreaboutusinghis phone.A�erasession,Junedescribedfeelingmuch moreconfidentwhenusingherlaptopandsaidshe wouldnolongeravoid“theMonster”!
Wewouldn’tbeabletodothiswithoutour wonderfulvolunteersandweareonthelookoutfor morehelp.Areyouabletoconfidentlyuseyour phoneandelectronicdevicesanddoyouthinkyou havethe�meandpa�encetohelpsomeonelearn abouttheirs?
Ifso,wewouldlovetohearfromyou.It’sa friendlyspace,withfreehotdrinks,andtravel expensesarecovered.Ifyou’reinterested,pleaseget intouchwithourVolunteerCoordinatorAlex,email: alexbenne�@southmead.org,telephone:0117950 3335.
Ifyou’rereadingthisandknowanyonewho struggleswithtechnology,pleaseletthemknow aboutTechyTeaParty,welookforwardtoseeingyou there.
ADAYOUTWITHJAMES
Youmayrememberinourlast updateIwasnewinmyjob managingNeighboursConnect Southmead.Sincethen,Ihave beenreallybusyandlovingthe role.I’vebeenge�ngtoknowthe exis�ngmembersoftheNeighbours Connectprojectandmee�ngnew members.
ThewaythatNeighbours ConnectSouthmeadworksisthat BristolCityCounciliden�fy residentswhoneedoursupport, anditreferspeopletoourservice. Thisisusuallybecauseasocial workerhasbeenintouchwiththe residentandcanseethatthey requiresomeaddi�onalsupport. Wealsooccasionallyaccept referralsfromotherservicessuchas SironaandStMungo’s.
Wesome�mesconnect residentswithavolunteerfromour teamwhosupportssomeone, usuallyonceaweek,withthingslike a�endinghospitalappointments, goingshopping,helpingwith householdtasks,goingforacoffee orawalk.
Oneofmyfavouritedaysinthe jobsofarwasmydayoutwith James,andJane–anewvolunteer. Jameswasreferredbyasocial
workerfollowingalonghospital stay.Heneededsomesupportto se�leintohisnewhomeandhelp himtocreateanewrou�ne,sothat he’sdoingthingsthatareimportant tohim.
Jamespickedoutsomenew clothesinPrimark,andJaneandI enjoyedbeinghisstylistforthe a�ernoon.Wethenallhadacoffee togetherinthepinkcaféinthe storeandmadegooduseofthe photoopportunity(JamesandI above)!
Doingthethingsthathave meaningandareimportanttoeach ofushelptokeepusallhealthyand well.Andtheycanhelptokeep peoplefrombecomingunwelland
needingtogotohospitalinthefirst place.
Welovedsomefeedbackwe hadfromGuyTaylor,aSocial Worker–hewasveryimpressed withtherela�onshipbetweenone ofourvolunteersandthelocal residentwematchedthemwith. Hethinksourvolunteerhasan “incrediblyposi�veimpactonthe par�cipant’slife”.
Ifyouhavesomespare�meto volunteer,we’dlovetohearfrom you.Weoffertrainingtogetyou started,andyouwillbesupported bymyselfandourVolunteerCoordinatorAlex.Ifyouwouldbe interested,pleasecontactAlex (detailsbelow).
CANYOUHELPUSATTHELAKE?
AttheTrustwehavea referralpartnership programmewithHenleaze SwimmingClubandwearenow lookingforvolunteerstohelpwith ourtwiceweeklyswimminggroup tostartinJune.
Thereiscomplimentary swimmingandasaunapershi�,as wellasahotdrink.Youdon’thave toswim,butifyouwouldliketoyou needtotaketheClub’s50mswim test.
Ifyoufancyhelpingthe HenleazeLakeGrouptorelax bythewater,inawelcoming atmosphere,includingtea andchats,thenpleasegetin touch.
Allvolunteersarepartof theSouthmeadDevelopment Trust’svolunteernetwork, basedattheGreenway Centre.
Forallinfoemail: alexbenne�@southmead.org orcall:01179503335
What’s Iris doing with all those American soldiers’ uniforms?
Has Rose been securing extra rations on the black market?
And what’s Bob’s wardrobe doing in Ruby’s front garden?
Meadows to Meaders 5: Fab Living on the Mead
Southmead’s very own community soap opera is back!
Continuing our tradition of telling the true stories from people who have lived, worked and grown up in Southmead, this time we will be exploring Badocks Wood and taking a peek inside the prefabs built as emergency housing just after the Second World War.
Meadows to Meaders 3, Love on the Mead 2021
Meadows to Meaders 5; Fab Living on the Mead
will be performed outdoors in Badocks Wood with the Tump as our stage, building dens on the site of the Bowness Gardens post-war pre fabs, recalling the lost village of Charlton and makeshift wartime kids’ cinema.
SATURDAY 18th MAY
Bring your cushions, blankets and camping chairs to the Tump in Badocks Wood (enter from Doncaster Road)
Show times: 2.30pm matinee (this is a sign language interpreted performance) 5.00pm evening performance
Tickets are FREE but booking is essential. Voluntary donations appreciated.
Tickets available Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, BS10 5PY Telephone: 0117 9503335. Email: info@southmead.org
Contact Ruth Myers on ruth@locallearning.org.uk for more information or visit www.locallearning.org.uk/meadows2meaders
Photograph Bowness Gardens prefabs © Julian Lea Jones courtesy of Friends of Badocks Wood
CLIMATEACTIONPLANLAUNCHES
A�erayearofengagement, conversa�ons,cra�s,and lookingattheresults,I’mpleasedto saythatSouthmead’sCommunity ClimateAc�onPlanwaslaunchedon April25th.
TheCommunityClimateAc�on PlanprojectiscoordinatedbyBristol ClimateandNaturePartnershipand supportedbyBristolCityCounciland theCentreforSustainableEnergy. Wereceivedfundingtoa�end workshopsandcarryout engagementtoiden�fySouthmead’s priori�esaroundtheseventhemesof Food,Nature,Waste,Transport, Energy,HomesandBuildings,and GreenEconomy.
Welaunchedourplanalongside twoothercommuni�es,Bedminster andBrislington.HillfieldsandKnowle Westarelaunchingtheirsabitlater inJune.Ourplansjointhoseofsix othercommuni�esfrom2022and willbejoinedbyanothersixin2025. Thevisionisforcommunity-led climateandnatureac�onacross Bristol.Thepartnersinvolved understandthatrealchange mustberootedin communi�esand thatwearethe expertsabout whatweneed.
Iwantto sayabig thankyouto everyone whohas contributed tothe Community ClimateAc�on Planoverthelast year.Itaimsto highlightpriori�esand ac�onsthatareimportant toourcommunity.Someofthese willbetakenforwardbyourmany ac�veanddedicatedcommunity groups,includingSouthmead DevelopmentTrust,andhelpto amplifyourvoiceswhenthecityis makingdecisionsforaplanetand
peoplefriendlyBristol.Ac�ons rangefromthosewecanalldoat homeandatwork,throughtobig, systemicchangewhichweare askingofthoseinpower.Themain aimistoimprovequalityoflifeand opportuni�esforall.With collec�vehopeand aspira�on,wewantto meetthebig, in�mida�ng issuesfacing our community headon, genera�ng realchange, andbuilding resilience.
I’dliketo stressthatthis isjustthestartof conversa�ons aroundclimateand natureworkinSouthmead. We believethisworkismost transforma�vewhenit’sreally communityled,sowewillmakesure thatthecommunitycon�nuestobe involved,shapesandmakestheplana reality.
Youcanreadtheplanonlineon ourwebsiteatwww.southmead.org (ClimateAc�on),orbyscanningthe QRcodebelowwithyourphone. We’dlovetohighlightmore climateandnatureworkin Southmead.Soifyouknow someonedoinggreatthingsforthe planetandpeoplethendoletus know.
SOUTHMEAD’SNEWSTREETTREES
Southmeadishometo20new streettrees.A�ermany conversa�onsaboutour neighbourhoodand greenspaces,we knowthattrees areimportantto ourcommunity. Sowedecided tofund20new streettrees.We sponsoredthem throughTrees ForStreets,the charitywhich BristolCityCouncil havepartneredwithto plantmorestreettreesinthe City.
Inautumn2023,therewasabig mapinTheMeadandattheGreenway Centre.Itshowed25possibleplan�ng spotwhichhadbeenpre-approvedby BristolCityCouncil.Wedelivereda copyofTheMeadtothehousesnear thoseplan�ngspotstoo.Togetherwe wereabletochooseourtop20.
Thesetreeswereplantedoverthe winterandarereadyforustoenjoy. Theyeachhaveatreeguardand wateringbag,andasmall plaque.
Streettreesneed someloveintheir firstfewyearsas theytrytoadapt toatoughnew environment. Theywillbe wateredinthe springand summerbyBristol CityCouncil.A helpinghandisalways welcome,youcanuse washingupwater,bathwater, orcollectedrainwater,straightintothe wateringbag.Ifyouseeatree struggling,orvandalised,youcan reportittotheCouncilbyemailing: treebristol@bristol.gov.uk
Ifyouwouldliketoplantatree inyourstreet,orsponsorone, gototheTreesForStreets website: www.treesforstreets.orgor email: hello@treesforstreets.org OrtelephoneBristolCity Councilon01179222000and askfortheParksDepartment.
ASHDIEBACKINBADOCK’SWOOD
Badock'sWoodhasverymany ashtreeswhichareimportant na�vetreeshos�ngorprovidingfood forawidevarietyofspeciesincluding over200invertebrates.Earlierinthe yearyoumayhaveno�cedthatthe ashtreesontheriversidenearthe BambooattheTrianglehavebeen dying.BristolCityCouncilhasnow removedthetreesincasetheyfallon peopleoracrossfootpaths.
It’strulydevasta�ngtobelosing thesetreesasthewoodlandecosystemreliesonthem.Theyusedto seedthemselvesreallywellandpop upeverywhere,butnowwelookto losethemall.FriendsofBadock's Woodhopestoplantnewspeciesin theirplaceincludinghazel,spindle, andotherna�vespecies.
It’samassivejobforland managersacrosstheUKtodealwith
ashtreesthathave AshDiebackdisease. There’ss�llhope thatsomedisease resistantspecimens willbefoundinthe UK.Youmayrecall thathugenumbers ofelmswerekilled byDutchElmDisease lastcentury,butonly lastyeardisease resistantelmwas plantednear BownessPondinthe woods.Whilstwemaynotfindany diseaseresistantashinBadock's Wood-thoughweareeverhopefulit’salwaysapossibilityelsewherein theUKandresearchersareworking hardonthis.
Ifyou’dliketofindoutmore aboutashtreesandAshDieback,you canlookattheWoodlandTrust
websiteat www.woodlandtrust.org.uk. TofindoutmoreaboutFriendsof Badock’sWoodanddatesfor ac�vi�es,gotoourwebsiteat www.fobw.org.uk.Wewelcome everyonetojoininwithourli�er picksandnatureevents.
SOUTHMEADMEMORIALGARDEN
TheSouthmeadMemorial Gardenwasstartedinthe earlytwothousandsbyYouthWorker BillyCockram,atwhatwasoncethe SouthmeadYouthClub.Itwas createdintributetothreeyoung menwhosadlylosttheirlivesina shortspaceof�me-Wayne Goldsmith,AlanStevens,andLee Webb–asaplacetoremember them,andasareflec�vespacefor residentstospend�mein.
Overtheyearsresidentshave no�cedthatconnec�onwiththe gardenhasbeenlostanditnow needscareandmaintenance,sowe arrangedagettogethertotalkabout whattodo. Lotsofpassionateand commi�edresidentsa�ended includingBilly,alongwithCouncillor KyeDudd.
BristolCityCouncilownthe buildingandsite,andafewyearsago theystoppedren�ngittothe SouthmeadDevelopmentTrustto runYouthservices,becausethe Councilhadearmarkedtheareafor newbuildings.TheyhelpedtheTrust movesessionsforyoungpeopleto TheRanch(SouthmeadAdventure Playground).
Sincethemee�ng,thegarden hasnowhadsomerenewedenergy putintoit;Billyhasalreadycleared sixblackbagsofrubbish,fourbagsof greenwaste,andtheJiuJitsuclub whocurrentlyrentspacefromthe Council,havebeenfullysuppor�ve andhaveprovidedaplacewhere gardentoolscanbestored.
Weareallduetomeetagainon Monday3rdJune,6-7pm,atthe GreenwayCentre.Docomealongif youwouldliketobeinvolvedor knowmore.Alterna�vely,ifyou wouldliketogetinvolvedbutare unabletoa�endthemee�ngdo contactme. Next,Billyremindsus ofhowtheMemorialGardenbegan.
ManyyearsagoIwasaYouth WorkeratSouthmead YouthCentreandunfortunatelywe lostthreeyounglads.Idecidedto buildagardenatthebackwhichwas
justwasteland(behindAldi),butI hadtowaitbecauseatthat�methe YouthCentrewasge�nganewgym built.Whilewai�ngwegatheredup someyoungpeopleanddesigneda metalsculpturearch,whichwas designedbythebrotherofoneof theladswelost,andtheother brotherlaidthesculptureintothe ground;butunfortunately,healso losthislifein2023.
Thatwasthefirstthingthat startedthegarden-Ithenhadalot ofdona�onsliketurfandsome plantstostartitlookinggood.With youngpeoplewethenmadea metalfencesurroundingthe garden,andmetalbenchesso peoplecouldsitandrelaxand reflect,orjustenjoythespace.We alsomademetalwordtreesforthe garden,ametalremembrancesign, addedmoreplants,andputdowna mosaicthataMumwholosther sonhelplaydown,sheisnolonger withussadly.
A�erafewyears,thegarden waslookingfantas�c. Unfortunately,as�me’sgoneby andtenantsofthebuildinghave changed,connec�onwiththe gardenhasbeenlost.Butthereis someoneatthebuildingnowwho doeshaveaconnec�onwiththe gardenasheknewoneoftheyoung peoplethatpassedaway.
Iwenttoamee�ngonthe8th ofAprilaboutthegardentosaveit astheCityCouncilwanttosellthe landandthebuilding,butweare goingtofightforthelandasit’sa remembrancegardenandweare tryingtogetthelandforcommunity ownership.
Likeme,manyothersdon’t wantitlostanditjustbea driveway.I’msorrythatIcouldn’t maintainthegarden,unfortunatelyI didn’thaveanytoolstodoitor anywheretokeepthem.However, theJiuJitsuclubhasnowkindly givenmeaccesstotheoldboiler roomtokeeptoolsin.I’mnow askingforanydona�ons,toolswe needareideallypetrolhedge trimmersandastrimmer,aswe don’talwayshaveaccesstomains. Wealsoneedtoreplacethe wordsonthebenches.ThenIcan getthegardenbacktoitsgloryfor peopletouseagain.Idon’tmind maintainingthegardenbutjustfeel lostthatIcan’tdoanythingmore rightnow-soitchingtogetinthere andstart!
Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolvedor haveanytoolsyouwouldliketo donatetothegarden,thenplease contactEvePayne,Community Developmentworker,email: evepayne@southmead.orgorcall 01179503335
BRIGHTFUTUREFORHORIZON
ThelaunchofthenewHorizon DisabilityFriendshipGroup (HDFG)wasagreatsuccess.
Prospec�vemembersmetatthe GreenwayCentreforthefirst �meforaChristmasdisco onWednesday December13th, 2023.Everyone hadagreat�me andwehopeto holdanother discolaterinthe year.
Sincethen, we’vebeen mee�ngevery Wednesdayatthe GreenwayCentre,68pm.We’vebeen enjoyingboardgames,arts andcra�s,playingonthegames console,andBingohasbeena par�cularfavourite.
supportedbyagrowingbandof volunteerswhohaveallbeentrained byAlexBenne�,Volunteer CoordinatorforSouthmead DevelopmentTrust.
Thegroupisanopportunityto socialisewithfriendsandenjoyahot orcolddrinkandbiscuits.Thegroupis
Asthegroupfounder,I’mvery gratefulforthehelpfrommy family,thevolunteers, thestaffattheTrust, andAliceat Mencap.I a�endasthe groupleader andalsoa member, which involveslots oftasksbutis veryrewarding. Thegroupmakes adifferenceto people.
Stevesaid:“Ireally enjoyedthedisco.Andinthe sessionsthebingoandgamesare goodfuntoo.”Anothermember, Elaine,said:“It'snotveryfartocome andweplayedalotofgames.”Be�y said:“MyfriendElainebroughtme
alongtothegroupandit’shelped mealot.Pat,Lewis'sMother, listenedtomeandthathelpedmea lot.”Lynda,astardanceratthe discosaid:“it'sclosetowhereIlive, thediscowasgreatfun.”
Wewelcomenewmembers withphysicalorsensorydisabili�es andlearningdisabili�es,soifyou areinterestedinjoiningusjust comealong.Details:Every Wednesday,6-8pm,atthe GreenwayCentre,DoncasterRoad, BS105PY.
ContactLewis,email: horizondfg23@gmail.com,textor call:07707339929
CELEBRATINGOURSTEVE
Steve,aGreenwayCentre regularandvolunteer,was nominatedforandwonanawardfor VolunteeroftheYearattheHorfield &LockleazeCommunityAwards. Stevea�endsmanygroupsatthe GreenwayCentreandatTheHubin Lockleaze,andisalwaysreadytohelp out.Steveisalwaysawinnerinour eyes.
OneofSteve’snominees said:“Steveisawonderfulposi�ve gentlemanwhowehavethepleasure ofknowing.Itisajoytohavehim aroundandsupporthiminanyway wecan.Heisabreathoffreshair, andwethoroughlyenjoyhisinputat theGreenwayCentre”.
StevevolunteersattheHubin Lockleazeand,amongstotherthings, runsaShortMatBowlssessionthere, andhewouldloveyoutocome
along.ThesessioniseveryMonday, 1-3pm,atTheHub,FeddenBuildings, GainsboroughSquare,Lockleaze, BristolBS79FB,tel:01179141129.
Canyousparesome�meto volunteerwithusatGreenway? PleasecontactourVolunteer CoordinatorAlex,email: alexbenne�@southmead.org,or tel:01179503335
BS10GROUPMEETINGCHANGES
CHEERIOFROM PARKS&PLANNING
Theysayallgoodthingsmust cometoanend–wellthisiscertainly trueoftheBS10ParksandPlanning Group.
BackinMaylastyear,IsaidI intendedtostepdownasSecretaryat theendof2023.Asthisisakeyrole, unlessanyonecameforwardto replaceme,theGroupwouldhaveto fold.
Wellunfortunatelythatisthe situa�onwefacedattheDecember mee�ng,soreluctantlyitwasdecided towindupthisVolunteerGroup.
IsaidattheDecembermee�ng thatthisgrouphadbeenwell supportedbytheresidentsofHenbury andBrentry,anditwasamysterywhy Southmeadresidentsseemedtobe
HELLOAGAINTOTHE FORUMS!
Southmead,andHenbury& Brentry,havemanyoftheir ownlocalcommunitygroupsand organisa�ons.AsMikesaid,theBS10 ParksandPlanningGrouphasnow closeda�er13yearsofgreat communityservice,andwethank themfortheirtremendouswork.
Wefirmlybelievethatthereneeds tobeaforuminwhichresidentsand groupsofbothareascancometo discuss,andlistentowhatis happening.Withthatinmindwehave launchedtheBS10Neighbourhood Forum.
Theplanisthatwemeetevery twomonthsandrotatethemee�ng loca�onbetweenthetwoWards.Cllr DuddchairstheSouthmeadmee�ngs, andCllrWestontheHenburyand Brentryones(althoughwebotha�end eachonetodiscusswhatis happening).Weheldourfirstmee�ng
notatallinterestedinthehuge developmentsgoingonjustacrossthe borderinSouthGloucestershire.
Thesedevelopmentswill haveahugeimpactonall peopleinboth Southmeadand Henburyand Brentrywithwell over9000extra homesbeing built;addedto thatwillbe schools,hotels, doctors, den�sts, restaurants,and ofcourseThe Arena.
So,whatofthe future?There’llbea CommunityForum organisedandchairedby CouncillorsinbothSouthmead,and HenburyandBrentry(seenextitem!).
Editor’snote:Mike,weknow everyonewilljoinusinthankingyou foryouramazingservicetoourNorth Bristolcommuni�esthrough yourdedica�ontoBS10 Parks&Planning.You haveba�edfor Southmead throughoutyour �measSecretaryof thegroupand haveconstantly alertedeveryone towhatiscoming: thehugeimpact onourcommunity fromthenew BrabazonandArena builds.Hopefullythis pressureisoffyounow andyoucanconcentrate onyournextperformance inMeadowstoMeaders5:Fab LivingOnTheMead–wecannotwait toseetheshow!(seepages10&11).
onThursday21st March,andthenext datesareonthenextpage.
Themee�ngisopentoalllocal residentsandcommunitygroups (youth,sport,religious,elderlyanyone).Wehopeeachmee�ngwill allowthefollowing:Councillorsto updateresidentsonwhatis happeninglocallyandlistento concernsaboutcurrentand upcomingissues;thePoliceto provideacrimeupdateandagain listentolocalconcerns;anupdateon anyplanningdevelopments happeninginthearea-some�mes
withdevelopersbringingforward theirideasforthecommunityto feedbackon;CommunityGroupsto shareideasandneedsinthehope thatbysharinginforma�onandbest prac�ceswecanhelpthewider community;otheragenciessuchas theCouncil’sHighwaysandParks teams,ortheBristolWasteCompany, cancomeandprovidefeedbackat key�mes.
So,ifthissoundsofinterestthen dopleasecomealong,wehopeto seeyouthere.
SouthmeadLibrary OpeningTimes
Monday:Closed
Tuesday:11amto5pm
Wednesday:11amto5pm
Thursday:Closed
Friday:1pmto5pm
Saturday:11amto5pm
Sunday:Closed
BS10NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM
Thursdays,6:30-8pm Henbury&BrentryCC/ GreenwayCentre
6thMay:H&BCC 8thJuly:Greenway 19thSeptember:H&BCC 21stNovember:Greenway 16thJanuary:H&BCC
PentecostalCoffee Morning 10:30-12:30am Mondays
PentecostalHolinessChurch Forinfo,contact: 01179871327
Joinusforacuppa,company andachat.Allwelcome!
StStephen’sChurch FriendshipCafe 10am-12pm Wednesdays
BABY&TODDLERGROUP 9:30-11am Mondays(term-�meonly) Forinfo tel:01179591250
DIDYOUKNOW?
TeamSouthmead Mee�ngs 11am-1pm
*Nomee�nginMayasit’sthe funeralforMervynWoodrow*
Tuesdays:25th June, 30th July,27th August
StStephen’sChurch Forinfo,contactDeana tel:07790426609
Knit&S�tchat SouthmeadLibrary 2-4pm Saturdays
SouthmeadHouse Forinfo,contactAnthea email: antheamustard@gmail.com
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Youcouldhelp deliverTheMead
WewantTheMeadtoreachas manypeopleaspossible.Can youhelpgetittoacommunity buildingordoor-to-dooron yourstreet?
Getintouchwithour VolunteerCoordinatorAlex tel:01179503335 email: alexbenne�@southmead.org
SouthmeadDevelopmentTrustatwww.southmead.org proudlysponsorsTheMead.Contactusby email:themead@southmead.org,ortel:01179503335. Tofindoutwhenthenextedi�onisdueandthe deadlineforcontribu�ons,visittheTheMeadwebsite: www.themead.org.uk
TheMeadis recylable
So,onceyou’vefinished reading(andthoroughly enjoying!)yourmagazine,the bestthingtodoispopitin yourblackrecyclingbox.
PS.We’veput thestaples backina�er yourfeedback. Thankyou,we lovefeedback!
dovetonpress.co.uk
Bristol is for recycling*
Last year, we collected 71,000 tonnes of recycling and garden waste saving the city £5.2 million in disposal costs.
We saved
52,000 items from going to waste via our three reuse shops, including 410 mobility aids and 3.3 tonnes of paint.
4,000 bags of litter collected through community litter picks we supported.
2,000 homes were powered by biogas produced from the recycled food waste we collected.
Gave back over £30 million in social value.**
Thank you for recycling! Read the full 2023 Bristol Waste impact report bristolwastecompany.co.uk/impact-report