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Tel: 0117 954 2834 Post: Beacon Centre, City Academy, Russell Town Avenue Bristol, BS5 9JH contact@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Twitter: @upourstreet Facebook: Up Our Street Charity no: 1081691 Company no: 04023294 Neighbourhood Facilitator Lorena Alvarez Tel: 0117 954 2835 Finance and Office Manager Tracy Parsons Tel: 0117 954 2834 Manager Stacy Yelland Tel: 0117 954 2836 Chair of trustees Sally Caseley Vice chairs Dominic Murphy Jane Westhead Trustee board Joyce Clarke Matt Fulford Amy Harrison Walter Nunez Mike Pickering Anthea Sweeney Aisha Thomas
Up Our Street is printed on recycled paper with vegetable inks and can be composted. It costs 45p to produce every copy of Up Our Street. It is hand delivered to 14,000 homes in the local area. The opinions and information contained in this publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of Up Our Street. Advertisers are not endorsed.
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Inside this issue Up Our Street news........................page 4 Neighbourhood Partnership.......page 5 Thank You Awards..........................page 6 Pride ……………………………………….page 7 Summer events................................page 8 Ramadan.............................................page 9 Developments................................page 10 2
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Food reviews............................................page 11 Learning English.....................................page 12 Green Capital Arts..................................page 13 Community noticeboard.....................page 14 Church Road.............................................page 15 Race Equality Manifesto......................page 16 School holiday activities………………..page 19 Advertising.........................................page 21-24 www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
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News from Up Our Street “It’s been a whirlwind few months at Up Our Street as we put the finishing touches on events happening this summer. We’ve been busy, together with Trinity Centre and Stapleton Road Working Group, making sure Stapleton Road’s Make Sunday Special event in August is going to be a fantastic afternoon for everyone. You can read about
Up Our Street is working with Playing Out on a 12 month project to explore ways for estates to become more ‘playable’, building on the existing ‘playing out’ idea that many Easton streets are now doing. Lorena will be spending one day a week working closely with local residents in Croydon House and the surrounding estate, supporting them to run regular ‘playing out’ sessions and finding out what would enable children to play out together more. By the end of the year we hope to have gained learning to share with other estates and to have set residents on the way towards reclaiming their outdoor space as a place for neighbours of all ages to enjoy. If you live on an estate locally and would like to find out more, contact Lorena on 954 2835. For general information about playing out on your street contact Ellie on 953 7167 or ellie@playingout.net or www.playingout.net 4
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more events taking place over the next few months on page 8. We are also excited to announce that our Business Plan, which sets out our future until 2020, is now available and we are having a launch event this summer. Our big challenge is fundraising to make sure Up Our Street can continue into the future, bringing you information and events and working with you to improve the neighbourhood. Also don’t forget our Thank You Awards are now open for nominations (page 6). It’s a really brilliant event and I recommend you get involved!”
Up Our Street is a small resident led charity. We exist to work with local people to improve the neighbourhood. Our vision is to help create a diverse and independent community of people inspired to create change. That means we need you to tell us your ideas, concerns and what you are doing to make a difference. We want to build up a picture of all the amazing community activity and make sure we are doing what local people want and helping where we can.
Oops!
In our spring edition we made a mistake with the date for St Patrick’s Day and included an image of a four leaf clover rather than a shamrock. Sorry!
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Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Partnership This page is funded by Bristol City Council. Up Our Street works with the council to support local people to be involved in our Neighbourhood Partnership (NP).
Neighbourhood Forum Tuesday 14 July 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Easton Community Centre Monday 7 September 6.30p to 8.30pm, Barton Hill Settlement Neighbourhood Partnership Monday 29 June 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Unitarian Hall, Brunswick Square
Neighbourhood Partnership agrees plan At its meeting on 11 March the NP agreed a three year plan designed to improve the quality of life for residents that live in the wards of Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill. For the last six months residents, the voluntary sector, the police and other agencies have shared the priority issues the NP needs to work towards addressing over the next three years. In order to do this the NP would like as many people as possible to play any role to make the plan happen as there is so much that needs to be done.
Your Neighbourhood Partnership representatives
The NP is made up of Councillors, local people and voluntary organisations. Here we introduce the people who help make decisions about where we live.
Maryanne Kempf St Pauls resident and Chair of the NP Why are you a member of the NP? Because when it was originally put forward as a new project to help neighbourhoods I could see some potential for us, as residents, being more able to impact on decisions, steer council thinking and implement resident's ideas, hopes and dreams. It is a tool for us to use if we want more local autonomy. What do you find most rewarding? Well it ain't the hours! Personally I don't want reward, I want a healthy, happy community. I want the inner city to have the same services and respect as the rest of the wards in the city. I want us to have the privilege, perceived or real, that Clifton, for instance, has...and if you scoff at that idea, check yourself, your prejudice and your privilege! What is the thing you’d like to change? There is huge inequality in this city. We have super wealth and children going to school without a breakfast in their belly. We have international businesses and lonely isolated members of our communities. We have a poor local environment for many, racism and failing schools. I wish for better in our city, we shine in so many ways, we lead in so many things, let's look after each other and tackle our issues more effectively. I would like to see our city with more diversity in those responsible positions across the statutory, business and other sectors. Let us lead by example, not with shame. Meet more local people from the NP next time. Photo credit: James Barke
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Thank You Awards
Could you help Up Our Street?
Up Our Street is a charity and we must raise money to fund our work in Easton and Lawrence Hill. We are a small organisation with big plans and we are thinking about ways to fund what we do. For example it costs around £25,000 a year to produce this newsletter and £8,000 to organise and host our Thank You Awards. We are looking for help to carry on our work promoting community led action in our neighbourhood. If you are able to support Up Our Street to continue to provide high quality events and publications for Easton and Lawrence Hill get in touch on contact@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk or 954 2834. We’d like to thank our current supporters Bristol Spaceworks, Whitehall Printing, Knightstone and Skanska.
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Up Our Street and the Thank You Awards are supported by BCfm One Love Breakfast
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Bristol Pride Week 4 to 12 July
“Prejudice has no place in our city”
What is the main message of Pride? Daryn Carter, Bristol Pride organiser since 2009 Pride has become one of the highlights for the city and is the chance for everyone to stand up and be How did Pride come about? Prides have been about since the 70s. It was born proud of who they are, of their loved ones and to say prejudice and discrimination is not welcome in from a sense of challenging discrimination, our city. I think that is a very powerful message for prejudice and the criminalisation of same sex us all to get behind and to make us think about couples. We're proud of a long history of Pride in those around us and the city we live in. Bristol with the first being in 1975 but they were Pride Week runs from 4 to 12 July mainly indoor events and Pride vanished in the early 90s. In 2009 a few of us got together to make This year the Pride parade will take place on Pride happen again and I have been involved ever Saturday 11 July at 11am in Queen Square with the theme ’The Green Rainbow.’ Pride festival will take since. place after the parade in Castle Park. For more Describe Pride in three words information contact info@wearefest.com or Celebration, equality and community. visit www.bristolpride.co.uk What's planned for 2015? We have a fantastic event planned including our biggest musical line-up to date. Over 100 artists and performers took part last year and I am proud that whilst bringing big headline names to Bristol Right: as part of a free community festival we still give a Daryn and platform to local talent. We've got 10 days of crowds events forming Pride Week including comedy, theatre, our award winning film festival and people at last should certainly come see our Pride Dog Show as year’s part of Make Sunday Special on 5 July as it was one festival of the popular highlights from last year.
Tidy BS5
BS5 Anti Dog Poo Alliance has been spraying the dog poo which blights our parks and pavements to send a message to irresponsible dog owners.
The campaign for cleaner streets Does the amount of
If you have a dog then you must clean up after it.
Find them on Facebook
litter and rubbish Depress you? Help us take action Contact Lorena on 954 2835 www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Paratha and Prayer. Side by side society, mixed and better for it. Up Our Street
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Summer events
Railway Path Party Weds 22 july 2pm to 4pm Near Easton community centre
Stalls, music Discover the wildlife of the Railway path
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Ramadan 18 June to 18 July
Ramadan and respect رمضان واالحترام Summer sees an important time of the year for many residents of Easton and Lawrence Hill. From 18 June until 18 July, Muslims will be celebrating their most holy time of the year, Ramadan. We spoke to Easton Councillor, Afzal Shah, about plans for this year’s celebrations. “This is a very special time of the year for us. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam which every Muslim must observe and it is a period of fasting, prayer and reflection.” Ramadan is both a spiritual time but also one of family and community when people come together to celebrate and spend quality time with each other. “In modern life everything is rushed and busy but during Ramadan we think about our family and what is important to us” says Afzal. “We eat meals together and reflect on how we have acted in our lives and communities.” Easton and Lawrence Hill are home to about 8,000 Muslims and eight main mosques, and at peak times like Ramadan, these are very busy with local people. Another important factor about Ramadan is that the time changes every year to follow the lunar calendar, which sometimes means that the prayers for breaking fast finish quite late in the evening. “Bristol has lots of busy, lively festivals and Ramadan can have a similar atmosphere to that for us. This year will be like last year in that the ‘maghrib’ prayers to break fast will be quite late. This only happens occasionally but it does mean we
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stay up in to the night.” There is no doubt that one of the great things about Easton and Lawrence Hill is the diversity of the people living here and how everyone contributes to the unique character of the area. There are times though when our different life styles mean we have to be a bit more understanding of one another. “Islam teaches us the importance of respecting our neighbours and Ramadan is a time of peace. But it is also a time of celebration and there is a happy and joyous atmosphere in the mosque at night, especially during warm weather, which can spill out onto the street or in people’s conversations on their journey home. Last year there were some complaints about noise and I think everyone understands it is frustrating to be woken up during the night. This year we’ve been talking to residents and mosques about how we find a balance between respecting people’s need for quiet at the same time as acceptance of the fact this is an important festive occasion for many residents. That isn’t easy and is all part and parcel of living in a busy inner city area.” In the lead up to Ramadan this year, Up Our Street, Afzal and Albaseera Mosque would like to invite residents to an open day to join us for tea and cake, to find out more about Islam and to meet members of the mosque. Afzal has also been working with local businesses to host a community Eid (the end of Ramadan) party on St Marks Road. “We want everyone in our community to join us in celebration and also to make sure those celebrating remember those sleeping!”
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New developments in Easton and Lawrence Hill Elaine Flint, Chief Executive “A planning application was submitted at the end of March for a two storey extension costing around £1million. Even if planning permission is granted the scheme will only be able to go ahead if we can secure funding and investment to pay for it. Bristol Mental Health, who want to be based at Wellspring, is looking for some of the money and more investment is being sought from NHS England for the additional space the GP surgery needs. The Wellspring Healthy Living Centre charity owns the building and we have made an application to the lottery, for the remainder of the money needed. This is a three stage process and at the moment of writing we are waiting to hear if we have got agreement to proceed to stage two.” Skanska is working with Bristol City Council to increase the size of Whitehall Primary School by another 30 children (one more class). Residents viewed plans in March and a planning application was being prepared in April.
At the time of going to press, demolition was underway and the developer Generator South West hoped to submit a planning application in May/June. Keep an eye on https:// sites.google.com/site/chocolatefactorybristol/ for information from the local community group ChocBox 2.0.
Easton’s Jamia Masjid on St Mark’s Road has had a planning application approved to extend both the ground floor and first floor. The plans include covering the outside area, where there is currently a marquee, to make it into an indoor hall as well as to build a dome on the first floor with a living green roof. The expansion will mean the building can accommodate up to 200 more people. The mosque is currently working with builders to confirm the final details and they hope work will start in January 2016.
A proposal to demolish the petrol station and buildings to build a new self-storage facility and catering unit was submitted in October 2014 and was approved by the council at the end of April.
We are looking for a small group of people who might be interested in being part of an Easton and Lawrence Hill planning group. You’d be asked to comment on pre-applications and use your local knowledge to help guide developers. You would be supported by Up Our Street with some initial training from the Neighbourhood Planning Network. Contact Lorena on 954 2835 or lorena@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk 10
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A planning application from Sovereign Housing Association has been approved for eight interactive ‘listening posts’ to be installed around Barton Hill. This was an arts project during the days of Community at Heart which captures people’s stories past and present about the area. It is hoped they will be installed later this summer. Find out more about the project at www.listeningposts.org www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Food reviews daydream about what I could do and then I decided to go for it, first using a team to run it as a café and then this year I thought I’d realise my vision for the place and run it myself.” Billie’s vision is drawing on her lifetime love of cooking and baking and her West African and Scottish roots to create a menu of soul food with a healthy twist. We sampled a bacon, egg and black pudding muffin, freshly squeezed juice and lemon and lavender cake. “I’ve had masses of support from the local community as people are pleased to see this building being used. I’d say my food is like a hug, it’s got the comfort of soul food but with vegan, organic and gluten free options too. I think we are getting a name for ourselves with our Easy Rawlins, 20 Chelsea Road baking [we got the last slice of cake left!] and I like creating daily specials.” The café is named after Since January, Billie Ibidun has been bringing a little bit of sunshine to her corner of Chelsea Road author Walter Mosley’s super cool detective who frequents diners. “I like the era of the stylish diner. I in Easton. With her unique brand of modern soul food, Billie has added another destination to Easton love running my own business and the most stress I have being deciding what cake to bake for and Lawrence Hill’s food scene. Up Our Street’s tomorrow!” Billie plans to try new ideas like pop up Stacy and Tracy went to meet Billie and find out nights, an alcohol licence and Gungo Din Tiffin more. Club offering Caribbean tiffin. “I’ve owned the business since 2012. While I was the Director of Easton Community Children’s Centre Easy Rawlins is open Friday and Saturday from 10am to 10pm and Thursday and Sunday from I used to walk past here and see it empty and 10am to 7pm. Contact Billie on 0117 239 9965.
Jeevan Sweets 415-417 Stapleton Road This family run business has been open on Stapleton Road for four years and is going from strength to strength. We popped in for a chat with Jeevan, who runs the business with his parents, to sample some of their Indian specialities. “We make everything here on the premises including all the sweets. We specialise in Indian sweets like burfi and all the recipes are from India. Our pistachio burfi is popular and we all like it.” Indian sweets are made mostly from unpasteurised milk and nuts and Jeevan’s chef is a specialist from Rajasthan. With a wide range of snacks, hot meals to take away in tiffins at just £6, a variety of currys and wraps, all the food available is vegetarian, vegan or gluten free. “We do lots of catering for big companies and events and we make about 1,500 samosas every day. They are definitely our best seller.” With customers coming from all over www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Bristol, Jeevan plans to expand the business to premises next door and will be opening a restaurant there by the end of the year. Jeevan Sweets is open daily from 10.30am to 9pm (8pm on Sundays). You can contact them on 951 7688.
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Learning languages
By resident journalist Rachel Phipps
Nepal says she enjoys the role playing part of the lessons because it helps the language stick in her head. They certainly seem to be having fun and there is much laughter as a pink wig is placed on one of the student’s heads and she acts out complaining that the hairdresser has dyed it the wrong colour! Shanti knew a bit of English when she first came to the UK, nine years ago, but for a long time found it difficult to understand what people were saying because they spoke too fast. Now she understands much more and feels confident going to places such as the library by herself because she can now converse with the staff if she needs too. The informal style of learning in this class makes it easy for people to access. Anab Mohamud from Somalia has also lived in the UK for nine years and has previously found it hard to progress in ESOL because of childcare issues. Whilst people are encouraged to come to Creative English each week to get the most out of it, each lesson stands alone so is ideal for people who drop in and out as they don’t miss anything or have to worry about catching up. The students range in ability, which has the advantage of enabling the stronger speakers to help the weaker ones increasing their own confidence and encouraging the weaker ones, to try out their English. Anab was too shy to join in the role plays when she first joined the class but now feels more relaxed and confident to give it a go. She acknowledges that practice is the only way to improve and as she practises in pretend situations she is becoming more confident to have a go in real life.
It’s Friday morning and a number of people from around the world gather for their ESOL class, but this is no normal class. There are no desks, no workbooks and people only take notes if they choose to. This is Creative English, also known as Conversation Class where the focus is on learning to speak and understand English in everyday contexts. Student Muna Ahmed, originally from Somalia, explains the importance of needing to be able to converse in English: “The traditional ESOL classes are around two hours long and cover reading, writing, speaking and listening in that time; but it’s more important to me to learn speaking and listening. I enjoy the fact that Conversation Class focuses on these skills. We live in the UK and need to be able to understand and be understood by those around us.” Previously Muna lived in Holland for 14 years and can speak four languages. English is the fifth language she has learnt and she says she is finding it the hardest because it is so similar to Dutch therefore she often confuses the two languages. “I sometimes speak English with Dutch grammar. People can understand me but I know that I’m not speaking correctly which is frustrating. When I spoke to doctors for example I found it hard to explain my problem but we did a session on going to the doctors and now I feel more confident talking to them.” In class today the students are learning how to express themselves and understand conversation in a hairdresser. They learn the relevant vocabulary For more information about Conversation through a combination of repeating the teacher Class or to join the class contact Juliet Dellow and using an action to help them remember the word. Hairdryer for example is said out loud whilst on 951 1202. everyone mimes moving a hairdryer around their head to dry their hair. The students then move onto the practical part of the lesson in which a large suitcase is bought out containing wigs, dressing up clothes and in this instance scissors, combs, brushes, razors and hairdryers. A hairdressing salon is set up using tables and chairs and students volunteer to take the roles of receptionist and hairstylists then a few of them line up to pretend to be customers. They practise their learnt vocabulary through conversations with each other as they act out working in and visiting the salon. Shanti Pant from Students at Creative English classes 12
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Holy Spokes and Green Capital Arts Project
Bristol Green Capital arts programme is funding projects across the city to look at environmental issues in creative ways. In our area we know that littering and fly tipping are a problem that cause a lot of frustration for local people. Artists were invited to submit ideas for projects which looked at ways of sharing the message about being more responsible with how we dispose of our waste. There were some fantastic ideas and a resident panel helped make the final decision. The winner was Easton based Mufti so we spoke to local resident Malcolm Hamilton to find out more. What is Mufti? We use games to make playable experiences for the public. Our games encourage participation, healthy competition and most of all fun. What do you plan to do for the project? We're going to make a game, or maybe a set of games, that help to address problems caused by fly tipping. We're going to work with a group of young people to help us do that. Why do you think this will help reduce littering and fly tipping? People need to work together to combat problems affecting their communities. Games are a great way to bring people together in a fun way. We're all victims of people dumping waste on our streets. Some places seem to have become designated fly tipping areas. We hope that by making them into play spaces and showing people
Malcolm accepts the award (left) and playing a game (right)
that we care about where we live, we can reduce the dumping there. Why did you choose to focus on young people? We have been thinking about working with a group of young people to help us invent and test our games, so as Easton residents we started talking to Baggator. I like the idea of a Games Club where we can research, play and invent games. Young people obviously play more than adults and it's going to be those young people, playing out, that take back their streets from the fly tippers. What happens next? We're going into a research phase. We want to know what games kids are playing outdoors here. We're also interested in the games our parents and grandparents used to play when playing out on the street was normal. Please get in contact and tell us what you played and what you're playing! In the summer we'll run the Games Club and then we'll launch our game in October. Contact Mufti at play@muftidoesgames.com or on Twitter @muftigames or visit www.muftidoesgames.com
Holy Spokes
looking for new premises so we can open a bigger workshop where people can learn bike maintenance Husband and wife team Andy and Rachel Pears are and use our equipment. We collect and drop off busy people. With three small children and Andy bikes in Easton and Lawrence Hill for free as we just finished his training as a Baptist Minister, they know sometimes it’s hard to get to a shop. We are decided to turn their hobby into their job. For the also trying to focus on being a sustainable business past two years they have been running Holy Spokes, using more environmentally friendly products.” a full time bike workshop and maintenance business. Twice a week you can find them popping Holy Spokes is in Easton from 9am to 5pm on up in the car park of St Mark’s Road house, opposite Fridays and No 12 Easton, offering low cost bike repairs and Saturdays servicing. We popped in to say hello. “I think cycling and will is a good way for a lot of people to get around. I collect bikes know lots of people who are unemployed or feel a from your bit vulnerable and find bike shops intimidating as home well as expensive. I wanted to offer something during the friendly and relaxed that works around people’s week. Prices needs. We do everything from fixing a puncture to a start from Contact Andy on full strip down and repair. We are also happy for £5. holyspokes@live.co.uk people to use our tools. At the moment we are www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
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Church Road Town Team police and council to improve the environment. From that I got involved in the town team as I liked the sound of the projects. My partner and I used to run a business on Church Road as well.” The team took part in a national research project High St 2020 - which looked at the strengths and weaknesses of the road and identified challenges around the busy traffic and the lack of social space to congregate, as well as a limited night time economy. “We need more places for people to linger. We also want to promote the identity and character of the Church Road Town Team with Red Flower place with better signage and a website. This work Barrow and MP Kerry McCarthy is as much about building community as supporting businesses” says Simon. Maxine and Nigel Williams got involved after meeting the Town Team at a High St 2020 meeting. “A high street is the heart of a place. It’s If you use Church Road regularly you may have where you bump into your neighbours and feel noticed a few changes appearing over recent more connected to where you live. It’s really months. This is thanks to the work of local important to amplify that" explains Nigel. volunteers who are part of Church Road Town So far the team has raised funds for new street Team, a small group which is dedicated to making trees and benches on Church Road as well as the high street into a destination. We met three improving unloved small green areas through its members of the team to find out more. ’pocket spaces’ project. They have also hosted the Simon Webb is a resident and local business owner family friendly Merry Little Church Road Christmas and has been involved in community action around which included street theatre, an interactive toy Church Road for a number of years, since starting hunt, music and a winter lantern parade which they Redfest in 2008. “When we set up our business plan to repeat this year. here we could see the potential of the street and The team is now looking at other town teams that with some small changes it could be a much around the UK and what they can learn from them. nicer environment for residents and shoppers. “Right now we’re focusing on one project at a time We applied to the Mary Portas pilot scheme, came and looking for funding to make things happen, up with ideas and were rewarded with an 'our town any help from other business owners and residents first' grant which we used to paint tired looking is always welcome!” adds Simon. shop fronts and create a successful Christmas Church Road Town Team meets monthly. If event. We want to show others that together we you’ve got ideas or energy for helping make can make a difference to Church Road.” Redfield resident June Barclay was already involved projects happen on Church Road contact Simon on 07815719403 or visit in community action. “I am part of Church Road www.churchroadtownteam.co.uk Action Group which focuses on working with the Collaborative community gardening workshop Saturday 27 June 10am to 4pm, Easton Community Garden For growers who would like to work with the local community. This isn’t about learning how to grow things but about how to work with communities to garden and grow. Led by Cristina Crossingham from Easton Community Garden Contact criztina@me.com www.eastoncommunitygarden.org.uk www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
School news... Barton Hill Academy and City Academy have both been through a lot of change in the last 12 months with new head teachers and management. We will have interviews with teachers and governors from both schools in the autumn Up Our Street. Got a question you’d like us to ask? Contact Stacy on 954 2836 or stacy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk Up Our Street
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Is racism alive and well in Bristol? now it doesn’t mean racism has disappeared. What still exists is the inequality around who has economic means and political power and that’s where racism and class hold hands. They are not the same but they can’t be separated and poor people and especially poor Black people are most likely to be on the wrong end of the power imbalance.
Introducing …. Bristol’s Race Equality Manifesto In March, local people from our diverse communities came together to mark an important occasion. Following months of hard work by people passionate about equality, Bristol’s first Race Equality Manifesto was launched. Local resident and member of Public Health Bristol, Marvin Rees, who helped write the manifesto, tells us more.
What is ‘institutional racism’? It’s the description of those impersonal processes that produce racial inequality. It’s a mix of political and economic cultures, structures and processes that exclude people from different backgrounds. It is not about whether people are nice or not - you can have really well intentioned people in the middle of structures that perpetuate inequality. Where do you see the greatest inequalities in Bristol? In the economic inequality and that finds expression in political and health inequalities. Those map well against postcodes so you can know about people’s life chances based on where they live.
Whose responsibility is it to change the way Describe what the manifesto is in one sentence. things are? It’s an attempt to describe what a more racially Of course people have responsibility to make good equal Bristol would be like and how we get there. decisions about their lives. It is a tough world out How did the manifesto come about? there so young people need to make decisions that During a lecture by Dr Richard Stone who help them. But not everyone has the same levels of campaigned about Stephen Lawrence, a number of power and so the onus is always on those with the us shared our frustrations that we were having the political and economic advantage to shape systems same conversations about racial inequality today as so they work for everyone. It’s not just about we had been ten years ago and unless we took elected politicians, they are only one part of the some action our children would be having the decision making group that shape lives in a place. same conversations. The idea of a manifesto was What would you like to see happen now? tried in the US and by Operation Black Vote in I’d like to see a serious commitment from the city’s London so we decided to write one for Bristol. power elites to draw a line in the sand about race
Who wrote it? equality. It’s not just a moral question but it is in People with experience and a firm belief in equality our own self interest to ensure that the 30% of our with lots of input from the public. children in schools from BME backgrounds are given the opportunity to fully participate in Bristol’s In your experience, how has racism and political and economic life. discrimination changed over your lifetime? The key change is that the overt and aggressive racism that I faced as a young person is no longer acceptable. It does still happen but there was a time when me and my friends would not go into the city centre after dark. It wasn’t unusual to be chased and called names. If you went out as a group you would spilt up, as groups of Black kids weren’t allowed in places and when we tried to get Saturday jobs we knew we weren’t going to get them. Just because this doesn’t happen as regularly 16
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What gives you hope that things can change? I make a distinction between hope and optimism. Hope is believing in spite of the evidence and then watching the evidence change. I suppose I have hope but I don’t as yet see any evidence. To see a copy of Bristol’s Race Equality Manifesto and share your thoughts contact Ruth Pitter from Voscur on 0117 909 9949 or ruth@voscur.org www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Tackling loneliness in Easton and Lawrence Hill Brian Perry, 82 Barton Hill
rarely able to go out. “I go out twice a week now to do shopping and for church - it’s not a very full life Brian has lived alone since anymore and it makes me feel pretty depressed at his father died in 1987. He times. I have a few people who visit me now and worked from the age of 14 again and help me but most people don't have the until he was in his 50s and time. Relations only come once a year to collect Christmas presents. I definitely feel lonely.” Brian is in the last three decades interested in opera, history, theology and politics has been a passionate and misses conversation with people. community campaigner. He was actively involved in “I find it harder to form relationships with people the Trade Unions until he now. I think more people live on their own. I think the cure for loneliness is people taking more time was 75 as well as being a to say hello and good morning and spend time school governor, charity listening or visiting a neighbour if you know they trustee and member of the peace vigil. Having always been very active it has been a real blow, that live alone. I think friendships between the generations are important as we have a lot to learn following a fall about two years ago, he is now from each other.” Carole’s cure to loneliness Carole Bayne has lived in Barton Hill since 1972 and has been volunteering with Barton Hill Settlement for around eight years. “I help with the weekly lunch club and shopping bus and organise about three summer trips for over 50s. When I retired I thought I might as well do something.” Carole lives alone and thinks getting involved in the community and getting out is important. “You can feel isolated in the flats but I like mixing with people and the community spirit.” Carole has recently started running ‘Carole’s Club’, a Tuesday evening bingo and social club. “We pick people up and now around 25 people come along. I am also trying to organise a Turkey and Tinsel holiday in November to Torquay. If you feel lonely come and join us, we’re a friendly bunch and everybody is treated the same. If you can't get about we have the bus that can pick you up. It can be a lifeline to people and if someone doesn't turn up one night we wonder why and get in contact to find out if they are OK.” Carole's Club is on Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm, £1.50 for entrance, £3 transport and extra for bingo books. Call Lucy on 955 6971 if you are interested in volunteering in Barton Hill. www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Staying Evergreen Evergreens is a weekly social club for the over 50s that has been running for over 30 years. The club was started by Lil, now in her 90s and still an active member, as there was nothing for retired people to do locally. Today, Joana, chair of Evergreens, thinks more older people could Lil, Madge and Joana benefit from joining a club from Evergreens like theirs. “We do exercise sessions, bingo and escorted day trips out. Our trips are really enjoyed as often this is the only way people can get out of Bristol - to the seaside or countryside. We have lots of connections so we get invited to functions, parties and dinners. It’s important to socialise to help reduce loneliness. People have interactions with each other and everyone is very friendly” says Joana. “We are very welcoming people” adds Madge. The club invites speakers to talk about issues affecting older people and organises an annual Christmas lunch, a time of the year when many people feel lonely. About 30 men and women regularly attend the club, which was named Evergreens as it sounds hopeful and motivating. Joana thinks more people would come if the club could offer transport. “It is hard for some people to get here. We would like to offer a bus but that costs about £75 a week and we just can’t afford that.” Evergreens meets 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesdays at Easton Community Centre. It costs £2 to join and £2 per weekly session. Contact Joana on 951 1933 for information or if you could help support the club. Up Our Street
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Refugee Week 14 to 20 June Bahman singing at Refugee Week
For one week in June, the stage is set in Bristol to showcase all the amazing creative talent from our different refugee communities. From 14 to 20 June a whole host of activities are taking place which introduce the work of organisations who support some of those most in need as well as to help us all understand the importance of welcoming those who are trying to make Bristol home. Rachael Bee from Bristol Hospitality Network and Iranian singer, Bahman Salahshour, tell us more. “There has been an event to celebrate Refugee Week in Bristol for about ten years and it’s grown into something really important. Last year around 1000 people came along. On 14 June we will have our picnic in the park launch party with food and music from around the world. It’s really unique in Bristol’s events calendar as it is a time when communities have a voice who normally would never be heard at events” says Rachael. Bahman agrees. He has been living in Bristol for six years and was a professional singer in Iran. Refugee Week gives him an opportunity to perform in front of an audience, something he used to do often. Due to his immigration status he is not allowed to work but he enjoys being able to volunteer his skills and sing in his native Persian. “I have also performed two songs with Bristol Reggae Orchestra at St Paul’s Carnival. It makes me feel happy to see people dancing to my music. I wish my English was better so I could talk more to the people but I like being able to sing for them.” Persian music is a bit like Jazz according to Bahman, and he is accompanied by various backing musicians, although finding local people who know many Persian songs can be a challenge! As well as music, food is an important theme of the day. “There is amazing food provided by our refugee communities. Make sure you come hungry! I also love it when everyone starts dancing in all their different styles from around the world” says Rachael. Describing the atmosphere of the day, Bahman is certain people will enjoy it. “It is really lovely with all the different people having good fun together. There are lots of musicians all there to support the event. I like to sing there to say thank you to groups like Bristol Hospitality Network and 18
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Bristol Refugee Rights who really helped me learn English and make Bristol my home.” After the launch there is a week of events when organisations working with refugees open their doors. This year sees an event at Trinity Centre talking about the resettlement of Syrian refugees and the ever popular refugee football tournament at City Academy on 20 June. As well as the fun side of Refugee Week, there is also a serious message. In 2011, Bristol became a City of Sanctuary which means that it welcomes people who are seeking asylum from often terrifying ordeals in their home countries. In theory this is a wonderful concept but in reality many people face destitution as they are side-lined by Government and left to fend entirely for themselves. Currently Bristol Hospitality Network is hosting 23 people who would otherwise be homeless and is in touch with another 50 people who need support. For Rachael, the idea of a City of Sanctuary is a ‘partly realised dream.’ “We want to see Bristol as a place where everyone is welcomed. We don't have power over Government policy that forces people into destitution. We just support people that the Government refuses to help. There are lots of things to celebrate but nationally it’s very difficult to change policy. Refugee Week enables people to meet asylum seekers and refugees and understand their situation. If you've never met an asylum seeker or refugee come to our events and meet someone and talk to them to understand what it's like trying to live their life. Only when we have more people meeting and understanding what is happening, that’s when things change.” For Bahman, sanctuary means home. “Bristol is my home now” he says. To hear Bahman singing go along to the Picnic in the Park, 1pm to 6pm, Queen Square on 14 June. Event details are on Facebook www.facebook.com/BristolRefugeeWeek or www.refugeeweek.org.uk Programmes available at Up Our Street’s office.
The crowd show off their dancing moves!
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
School holiday activity
Sarah (far left) with Barton Hill Choir
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
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Community news
Sculptor Emma Jean Kemp and inset one of Fred’s creations
Meet Your Makers! By resident journalist Simon Fry Barton Hill’s In Bristol Studio is the city’s largest contemporary craft and designer / maker studio
space. One such artist calling it home is sculptor Emma Jean Kemp, who visited, “at least six other Bristol studios” before choosing it two years ago. “The studio is completely unique for makers; other studios are more for artists working twodimensionally (drawing, illustrating etc.) but here you can make noise working with materials among lots of like-minded people.” One of Emma’s recent projects includes producing bronze bookends for a gallery to display during the Hay Festival. Another artist is Fred Plumley, who makes breathtakingly detailed wooden models and toys from wood he finds discarded around Bristol, his upcycling the very essence of Bristol’s European Green Capital Year. Working almost exclusively from seeing images in books or online, he judges scale by starting models with a single wheel. For more information visit www.inbristol.org/ or contact www.emmajeankemp.com or Fred Plumley on 07757876324.
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July
The Quantock Hills and The Mendips and will cover the equivalent of more than five marathons on foot and wheel in two days! Baggator provides informal education, skills training and leisure activities for young people, as well as camping expeditions and foreign exchanges.
To celebrate 15 years of Baggator Young People’s Project, 15 friends of the charity will be running and cycling over 150 miles to raise at least £500 each. Participants will start at Bagga Tor on Dartmoor and finish at The Pickle Factory in Easton, the home of Baggator. The route will take you via Exmoor,
If you are interested in taking part or helping organise the event contact Al Myers on alastair@baggator.com For more information or to make a donation visit www.baggator.org.uk
The Bagga Tor to Baggator Run/Cycle Challenge
Easton Energy Group is a community group, their aim is to help local residents reduce energy use in their homes and assist people in fuel poverty. They are committed to taking community action against climate change, helping people reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprints. Working in partnership with Bristol City Council on the Warm Up Bristol Project, they are actively encouraging our community to consider different retrofit options for Victorian houses. Currently they have two projects running alongside the Warm Up Bristol Scheme - CHEESE (cold homes energy efficiency survey experts) and HEAT (home energy action team). 20
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To learn more join them on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm and Saturdays 10.30am to 2.30pm at 56 Heron Road, Easton, BS5 0LU. More information on www.eastonenergygroup.org
Easton Energy Group members www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Adverts LKL Black and Asian Psychotherapeutic service Therapy Services To promote and sustain the psychological well being of Black and Asian people Individual Counselling and Psychotherapy can help to gain understanding on an issue, change ways of dealing with things, or disentangle difficult personal issues. It can be time-limited or open-ended and can concentrate on a specific difficulty or traumatic event. Group Therapy can help people who would like to improve their ability to cope with life's difficulties and problems but in a group situation. Group therapy can be particularly helpful if you have problems in relationships that are repeated. Relationship Counselling is for family members, couples, employees or employers in a workplace, and professionals and their clients. It aims to enable people to recognise and better manage or reconcile troublesome differences and repetitious patterns of distress within their relationship. Family Therapy can benefit the whole family. It works from the premise that a problem lies within the family as a whole, rather than with a single person within the family. Contact us on T: (0117) 902 1499 E: info@bps-bristol.org W: www.bps-bristol.org
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