DIY SOS pics

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before the pandemic meant it had to shut.

We remember the fires and rebuilds, the closure scares and ‘Save the Ranch’ campaigns, and the different organisa�ons ba�ling to manage the site on a shoe-string.

In 2018 the Southmead Development Trust agreed to take on the lease from Bristol City Council and run The Ranch. This was a massive step for the Trust as the yearly running costs for the site are enormous and we knew we would need to raise funds and ask volunteers to support us. A few residents got together to form a group to plan and ‘steer’ how we could progress The Ranch over the next few years, but then the pandemic put things on hold and the future looked a bit grim.

It was when buildings began to gradually open again that our steering group refocused on how to move things forward and one of the group, Holly Maurice, had the idea to ask if the BBC DIY SOS team could lend a hand . . . before we knew it, it was ‘camera, lights, ac�on’ and Nick Knowles and his lovely team had landed . A�er some ini�al planning mee�ngs they told us to vacate the site for nine days and not to look!

Our team at the �me were James, Nat and Lil and they were interviewed by Nick Knowles about their hopes for the renova�ons and the future, along with our chief Volunteer Sheralyn Fowler who shared her memories of being at The Ranch as a child.

The best thing about the process of the project was how local volunteers came to get stuck in with building, gardening, carpentry, and generally lending a hand.

As you will see, the ‘big reveal’ day was amazing and children and families poured back in to the site to see what had been achieved during the nine days. Outside they found a brand new games surface for sports, giant swings, a ‘death slide’, the pond cleared, replanted landscapes and an outdoor learning space next to the stream with a fire pit. Inside they found a beau�fully refurbished hut to hang out in with cool sea�ng and a new snooker table thanks to the owners of the Bear and Rugged Staff (the Welcome in the old days!). In addi�on there is now a state of the art music studio with recording facili�es.

Everyone was delighted with the new features at The Ranch and we had a celebra�on for families to come and take a look. The ‘death slide’ and huge swings were an instant hit, as you can imagine, and we were all in awe of the new music studio and lovely décor inside the hut. It didn’t take long before ball games were back on the new pitch with five-a-side matches.

The project was a huge boost for The Ranch and we’re very grateful to the DIY SOS team and to all residents who came to help, raised funds or donated - a huge thank you.

The Trust has the really hard and long term job ahead to keep The Ranch open and running for future genera�ons and we’d love to know if you can help us. You may like to become one of our ‘Ranch Hand’ Volunteers?

Do get in touch, ring us at the Greenway Centre on 0117 950 3335, or email: info@southmead.org, or pop along to The Ranch to chat with the staff team Will, Nat and Lil, or Volunteers like Sheralyn and Andi Fowler.

But most importantly tune in and see if you can spot anyone you know:

DIY SOS - BBC1 8pm - Tuesday 24th May