Castle Batch monument

Castle Batch monument uncovered

Work to uncover an historic monument at Castle Batch in Worle has taken place. Castle Batch is named after the earthen mound in the centre of the area of open space which is a medieval motte castle.

Motte castles, introduced into Britain by the Normans, acted as garrison forts during offensive military operations, as strongholds and, in many cases, as aristocratic residences and as centres of local or royal administration.

Built in towns, villages and open countryside, they generally occupied strategic positions dominating their immediate locality and, as a result, are the most visually impressive monuments of the early post-Conquest period surviving in the modern landscape. "As owner of this Scheduled Monument we have a duty to look after the site," said Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community services. "Over recent years scrub growth on the motte has increased and had reached a point where much of it needed to be removed to ensure no damage is caused to the archaeology by plant and tree roots." The council's contractors Glendale have recently completed extensive vegetation cl earance, which has resulted in the motte being uncovered and the monument’s features being more visible. The site will now be assessed by the council’s Senior Archaeologist and Natural Environment team, in collaboration with Historic England, to prevent further damage to this important historic feature.

Mel Barge, Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Historic England, said: "This work is needed to look after this important site and we are working with North Somerset Council to improve the site to protect it for future generations to enjoy."

Anyone with any questions about the site should email DM.Archaeology@n-somerset. gov.uk.

Dead hedging in Arnos Court Park:

One of our election promises was to work hard to promote and protect our green spaces, so it was great to join fellow Friends of Arnos Court Park on Friday for a dead hedging session. These natural fences will hopefully protect areas of the woodland at the top of the park from erosion and create wildlife habitats and improve biodiversity. With the help of the parks department we also installed several bat and bird boxes. Next month our new A4 perimeter hedge will be planted with the help of local schoolchildren. Next year will see our new wildflower meadow and new community orchard. Why not join the Friends here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7187 08475350789/?ref=share

Save Jubilee Pool:

Compared to many other UK core cities, Bristol has fewer swimming pools per head of population. Despite this, our local swimming pool is still at risk of closure. Bristol City Council is currently consulting on its leisure facilities and every option has the pool to close. Please complete the Leisure Facility Investment Strategy survey and tell them why you strongly disagree with their approach and why they should reconsider the fate of Jubilee Pool. The survey closes this week on 7 November:

War Memorial decorated:

Once again we have decorated our local war memorial with hundreds of knitted poppies, making it the best dressed war memorial in Bristol! We’ll leave the poppies in place for the next three weeks.

Brislington Hill & Bristol Hill action plan:

Thank you to the local residents who joined us at an online event to discuss improvements to one of our local shopping areas, Brislington Village. Filling vacant premises, diversifying what’s on offer, improving the appearance, greening spaces and cultural activities will all help to increase the number of people visiting and using this location. Council officers will be using the information gathered to develop an action plan for the area. If you missed the online session and would like to add your voice, the Council has extended the deadline of the City Centre & High Streets Recovery survey until 8 November: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BristolHighStreetRecovery

Planning application for Nightingale Valley:

Due to its high profile location on the edge of the Nightingale Valley, local residents may be interested in a new planning application on St. Anne’s Terrace.

The application involves demolition work and the erection of 4 new dwellings and the conversion and extension of an existing annexe to form a new dwelling. Further details can be found on the Council’s Planning Portal, where comments in support or opposition to the proposed scheme can be submitted. Planning Application: 21/04834/F https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/ applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QZ0PTRDNJA100

Reporting local issues:

We want to live in a beautiful, clean and tidy area and so regularly report blocked drains, overhanging foliage, obscured signage, fly tipping, etc to council officers. If there is an issue on your street, get in touch and we will deal with it.

Hundreds of Brislington West residents have signed up to receive our monthly newsletter via email. You can register using this link: http://www.bristollibdems.org/efocus. By Jos Clark, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370429 & Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.andrew. varney@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 183381 25