In The Know 64

IN THE KNOW

SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER

2008

ISSUE 64

COMMUNITY AT HEART’S NEWSLETTER

Latest news on the new shops

what’s happening in the urban park?

Win £25 in our residents’ survey

grants available to residents

COMMUNITY AT HEART (CaH) is the resident-led company overseeing the £50 million Bristol New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme to improve the communities of Barton Hill, the Dings and parts of Lawrence Hill and Redfield over ten years.

The programme started in July 2000.

If you want to advertise meetings and events in the area please get in touch.

Got something to say? Put it onon the Forum. views the area.

IN THE KNOW

0117 903 9879 www.ndcbristol.co.uk intheknow@ndcbristol.co.uk

POLISH Aby przytlumaczyc ten tekst we wlasnym jezyku prosze zadzwonic pod numer 0117 903 9879 FRENCH Pour une traduction de ce texte veuillez appeler le 0117 903 9879 SOMALI Haddii aad u baahanfahay in laguu turjumo warqadan fadlan lasoo xiriir 0117 903 9879 fadlan lasoo xiriir 0117 903 9879

OUR VISION “To create a strong and responsible community that has the ability to understand, engage and overcome its problems, enabling residents to build a safe environment that fulfils local needs, inspires and provides opportunities for all.”

AUDIO VERSION If you or anyone you know would like to receive In The Know on CD please contact Stacy Yelland on 0117 903 9879..

welcome... …to the September issue of In The Know. As we near the end of the NDC programme you may have questions about what will happen in the future (turn to page ten to find out) as well as what is happening with specific projects such as the new shops (see page four). Do you want to know what’s happening with the Urban Park? Turn to page six. Inside this issue you’ll find the answers to these questions and more.

for the area. All completed forms will be entered into a prize draw to win a £25 high street voucher.

This issue really is packed with news but if you feel you still have questions about any of these issues or anything else about the NDC programme, please do not hesitate to contact us. Here’s how you can…

Pop in and see us at the Neighbourhood Shop, 212 Avonvale Road, Barton Hill Call us on 0117 903 9975 Email us on info@ndcbristol.co.uk Visit the website and leave a message on our forum www.ndcbristol.co.uk/forum

With this issue you’ll also find a resident survey asking you about this newsletter and the website. With funding nearing an end, In The Know will not be able to continue as it is now. We do still want to produce a newsletter for the area and are holding a meeting on 22 September for all residents who would like to be Best wishes involved in this.

Dominic Murphy The responses from this survey are really important Chair of Community at Heart Board in helping us decide what happens about a newsletter September 2008

Contents

4 Latest news on the new shops

12 Young people’s programme

5 Future of In The Know

12 Community Arts Forum

6 Urban Park

13 Barton Hill Fun Day

7 Wellspring Healthy Living Centre 14 Barton Hill Kidz Time 8 Small Grants Fund

15 Neighbourhood Partnerships

9 Neighbourhood Solutions News

16 Arts grants

10 Community at Heart after 2010

17 Update on Dings Home Zone

11 GroundForce

18 Diary

Come and join us for the 2008 AGM Food will be provided and there will be a film shown featuring local people giving their views on the area.

The AGM will be followed by a Community at Heart Board meeting. All residents are welcome to attend.

Community at Heart Annual General Meeting, 6pm to 6.30pm, Wednesday 17 September, Netham Pavilion, Redfield. For more information contact Ulla Leskinen on 0117 903 9975 or ulla.leskinen@ndcbristol.co.uk

Latest news on the new shops Plans are now in place for four new shops and 12 new flats on the site of the old Corbett House surgery on Avonvale Road and Beam Street in Barton Hill. The plan was recommended for approval by the resident Appraisal Panel in July and will hopefully be approved by Community at Heart and Government Office of the South West (GOSW) during September.

The NDC programme is funding some of the work and Sovereign Housing is finding the additional funding. Planning permission has already been granted and construction will begin once approval has been granted by GOSW, with the contractors (Leadbitters) aiming to start on site by the end of September.The building work is planned to last 12 months with the shops expected to be open for business by October 2009. Over the coming months, we will work with a letting agency to make sure that new tenants for the shops are found by summer 2009.

Local residents have been involved in designing this new development. There will be a row of four shops on the ground floor with six two-bedroom flats on two floors above.The building will be set in the middle of the site, with a wide pavement on Avonvale Road and seating, plants and carparking spaces for the shops, to separate the road from the shopping area.The bus stop will stay where it is.There will be private access to the flats and shops at the side of the building

with parking for shop owners in a secure private area.

A scheme that will link the shops and flats to nearby areas has also been developed through consultation and been granted planning permission.This will see the defensible space at Corbett House being expanded to increase the number of parking spaces and make more space for cars to move around.

It is expected that work planned for Corbett House will be completed towards the end of the scheme in summer 2009.

Two new zebra crossings are planned, one for Avonvale Road and one at the top of Marsh Lane, with the whole junction possibly being raised so as to slow traffic and make the area safer for pedestrians. Work is ongoing with Bristol City Council Highways to finalise the plans and it will then be subject to statutory local consultation with businesses and residents before being built If approved, it is expected that work planned for the new crossings will be completed towards the end of the scheme in summer 2009.

All this work is part of the original Barton Hill Masterplan.

Once this is built, the existing row of shops on Avonvale Road will be knocked down to clear the site for new family homes. Plans for this development will shortly be available for consultation, as soon as they are they will be on display in the Neighbourhood Shop. The Neighbourhood Shop and Community at Heart’s offices, which are currently using two of the shops, will relocate to new premises. n

Important note Sovereign Housing is managing the More than H4 scheme. All of the above is still subject to approval from GOSW but represents what is expected to happen when that approval has been granted.

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HOUSING

Annual General Meeting ALL WELCOME

SOLUTIONS

Find out how you can get involved and help improve housing services for everyone

Refreshments provided 9 September, 6.30pm, Terrace Room, Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill For more information contact Mark Goodey, Neighbourhood Housing Management Co-ordinator on 0117 903 9877 or pop in and see him at the Neighbourhood Shop, 212 Avonvale Road, Barton Hill

Ca

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When the NDC funding ends,

In The Know

will not be able to continue as it is now.

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We would like to know:

You are invited

l Would you like to see a newsletter carry on in the area?

We would like to invite you to a resident meeting to discuss these issues on Monday 22 September, 6pm to 8pm.

l What would it look like? l What would it include? l Would you like to help produce the newsletter?

Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, Beam Street, Barton Hill.

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What’s happening in the Urban Park?

The new Urban Park in Bar ton Hill is very popular with children in the area and last summer there were problems with over-crowding. To avoid this happening again we decided to spend some more money on additional play equipment. This work is now almost complete but there have been some difficulties.

All the work was supposed to be completed by the end of April but there were delays, which meant the work wasn’t completed until mid-August. Unfor tunately, Parklife had not anticipated that Bristol Water would have concerns about water efficiency and possible contamination from the water feature so this is not yet connected.

A company called Parklife was contracted to work with local children and young people to find out what they would like to see in the park and to manage the installation of the new equipment. Local young people came up with an ambitious improvement plan for the park.

Some local parents also raised concerns about the risk posed by the rocks and the design of the new slide, a story that was repor ted on by the Evening Post and Star FM. Two health and safety inspections have been carried out on the new equipment and some of it has been graded as ‘moderate’ in risk, which means that its use will be monitored and if it becomes high risk then work will be under taken to make the equipment safer. Work is still underway to try to resolve the water connection issue. So, good to have more equipment in the park but disappointing it took so long. Our apologies to those who felt unhappy about the project but it’s good to see the park is popular and well-used. We’ll update you on the water feature as soon as we know more. n

There wasn’t enough money to do everything asked for but ideas taken forward included a tree house, willow structures and a rock based water feature. Some local people opposed this scheme so a second re-design including a water feature, a new slide and swings for younger children, new seating and bins and a new row of trees designed to act as protection from the wind was developed as a compromise and was approved by the Community at Hear t Board. (The tree house structure was withdrawn from the scheme owing to concerns about safety and was replaced by a large tyre-swing for use by older children.)

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Further updates will be on our website or contact Pete Davies on 0117 377 2459 or pete.davies@ndcbristol.co.uk.

Have you heard about Wellspring?

After months of hard work we can now happily inform you that Wellspring is a fully independent organisation operating with a resident-led Board and its own staff team.

Wellspring’s independence is something residents wanted, so that when the NDC funding ends Wellspring will continue. What this means for you is that Wellspring

will carry on offering the same high quality service to the community and will be responsible for finding funding to make sure this continues in the future.

Wellspring will be working alongside Community at Heart and other organisations, such as Barton Hill Settlement, to carry on improving the health of the area.

Wellspring is run by a Board made up of a majority of local residents and is always looking for new people to join to make decisions about the future and management of the centre.

There is still the same staff team and you can still contact them on the same numbers but their email addresses will be changing to firstname.secondname@wellspringhlc.org This month sees the brand new learning kitchen being fitted in the cafe area with courses starting in October.

For more information on this contact Bearnie DeMonick on 0117 304 1400.

Wellspring has also launched its own website, www. wellspringhlc.org. It is early days at the moment but over the coming months you will be able to find out everything you need to know about what’s going on at Wellspring, for example the new arts programme, job vacancies and Board minutes.You can also sign up to receive email updates about health and wellbeing events.

As well as the website there is a new brochure with details of all the different services available at Wellspring so why not drop in and pick up a copy. n For more information about any of the above contact Wellspring reception on 0117 304 1400.

Have your say about crime u

How could your neighbourhood be made safer?

u

What problems do you think need tackling?

Regular meetings will now be taking place in Barton Hill on the first Thursday of every month at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre from 6pm to 7.30pm.

The Police and Safer Bristol want to know which Next meeting dates: issues concern you the most so they can make sure 2 October, 6 November, they are doing their best to tackle them.

At Partners and Communities Together (PACT) 2 December, 8 January and 5 February. meetings you can meet with the Police and Safer Bristol to share your views on what you think needs For more information contact Leylah Marouf on 07825315628 or leylah.marouf@bristol.gov.uk sorting out.

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Launch of community cookbook An exciting new community cookbook is due to be launched in the area in October to coincide with Black History Month.

have personal memories for them or are typical of their country. The variety of recipes is a real reflection of the diversity in the area.”

A Taste of the World in One Community will be unveiled for the first time at the next Multicultural Feast. It will feature 31 recipes from some of the many different countries represented in the area.

It is hoped a surprise celebrity will be present at the October launch. Check the website and look out for posters in the area nearer the time.

People from Barton Hill, Lawrence Hill, Redfield and the Dings as well as Easton and Whitehall have submitted recipes which are personal to them.

The book was commissioned by the Tackling Racism team, in partnership with the arts programme and health and wellbeing project.

Lead Race Equality Officer Andrew McLean explains: “The idea behind the cookbook is to help people to learn more about their neighbours. Food is a good way of getting a glimpse of another culture and some of their traditions.”

A tasting event was held in July when many contributors brought their dishes to be photographed and tasted.

Freelance journalist Sue Mackinnon who is collating on the book with local designers The Design Tailor says: “Many of the recipes have never been written down but have been passed through generations. Others are often cooked by the contributors on special occasions,

Money available for NDC residents!

The new Community at Heart Small Grants Fund is for people who have not already received NDC funding for a project. The money is available for individuals or for groups.

If you are an individual you can apply for between £50 and £500 for things like walking boots or courses.

Groups can apply for between £250 and £5,000 for things like putting on a community event or equipment.

Different guidelines and criteria are applicable to individuals and groups.

Neighbourhood Shop, Barton Hill Settlement, City Academy, East Bristol Advice Services and Wellspring Healthy Living Centre.

There are five rounds of grants. Deadlines for applications to be received are: 12 September, 7 November, 16 January, 3 April and 19 June.

If you require the documents in a different format or need assistance with completing the forms, then contact Tracy Parsons on 0117 903 8895.

Copies of the guidelines and application forms are Alternatively if you are interested in joining the grants available by emailing smallgrants@ndcbristol.co.uk, panel to help make decisions on how the funding is downloading from the website or collecting from the allocated, contact Tracy Parsons on 0117 903 8895. n

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Neighbourhood Solutions Tel: 0117 377 2735 Email: matthew.cheney@ndcbristol.co.uk

Green Solutions summer barbeque u Green Solutions is the local residents’ forum for parks and green spaces. On 24 July the group held a busy joint event with local sustainability group Transition Barton Hill and Redfield. On the day Green Solutions worked alongside GroundForce to improve Cobden Street green by gardening and litter picking. Thanks to Bristol City Council Culture and Leisure Services for funding the refreshments. n

Park improvements funding Bristol City Council Culture and Leisure Services is asking local people for ideas for minor improvements to parks and green spaces across the area. They have £10,000 of extra funding for ‘capital’ improvements – that means physical improvements such as buying new or replacing old equipment. n If you have any ideas for how this money should be spent contact Matthew Cheney on 0117 377 2735.

If you know of any areas that need litterbins, contact Neighbourhood Solutions on 0117 377 2735.

Neighbourhood Champions event

Make a difference to the environment On 24 September Neighbourhood Champions will – and get paid for it have the chance to take up issues around street Neighbourhood Solutions is looking for people with general maintenance experience to become Neighbourhood Rangers. Rangers help improve the local environment by working with other agencies and undertaking practical hands-on tasks. They offer a rapid-response to environmental issues in the area on top of Bristol City Council’s services.

As a Ranger you could earn £7.30 to £8.30 per hour (flexible hours, two to ten hours per week). n To find out more contact Matthew Cheney on 0117 377 2735. If you think this sounds like the job for you, contact Ulla Leskinen on 0117 903 9975, ulla.leskinen@ndcbristol. co.uk, or visit the website for an application form.

cleansing and refuse collection with Bristol City Council street scene area manager, Steve Rogers and waste enforcement officer, Kenny Poucher. There will also be an update on work to combat fly tipping.

Anyone can sign up to be a Neighbourhood Champion.

Champions spend a few minutes each week monitoring and reporting environmental crime (fly tipping, litter and graffiti) via a freephone number.

The Neighbourhood Champions event will take place on 24 September from 6pm to 8pm at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre. n

New reporting phone lines

Bristol City Council is working towards simplifying its phone lines for reporting environmental issues like fly Due to changes in environmental health regulations, tipping, graffiti and litter on public highways.These issues dog mess in a ‘poop scoop’ or plastic bag can now be can now be reported on the new household waste placed in a regular public litterbin as well as the special and street maintenance number 0117 922 2100. dog waste bins. Neighbourhood Solutions is working with Bristol City Council to increase the number of Neighbourhood Champions can still make reports litterbins in the area with new bins being provided in the free of charge (from any BT landline) via a freephone Urban Park, Cobden Street green and Newtown Park. n number provided by Neighbourhood Solutions. n

Did you know?

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What’s going to happen to Community at Heart after 2010?

The NDC funding ends on 31 March 2010 but this does not mean an end to improvements in the area.

We want to build on what’s been achieved here and help residents use their skills and experience to keep challenging agencies to deliver better services.

We have started working in collaboration with Easton Community Partnership to improve Easton and Lawrence Hill.

By April 2009 the Board will employ a small, dedicated team of staff to support residents and Instead of a New Deal for Communities organisation agencies in making sure the neighbourhood is well we will deliver neighbourhood management. Our managed…these jobs will be advertised locally and aims and vision will stay the same we just won’t be after 2010 will be funded by income from assets directly funding projects anymore. (e.g. rents from property).

“

In 2009 four new shops are planned…the row of

Our aims and vision will stay shops on Avonvale Road will be demolished…new the same we just won’t be directly three- and four-bed homes will be built in their funding projects anymore. place.

”

By April 2010 an annual small grants pot is What it will mean is that there will still be a place planned…local people can then use this to make where residents can: things happen for themselves. l Raise issues directly with the people who make The Community at Hear t Board has now agreed its decisions.

Succession Delivery Plan for 2008-2013, which sets l Influence how services are delivered, making out how we will continue to make improvements to them better and more relevant to this area. the area and what will happen to existing projects.

In 2007 residents were asked who should be on the Easton Community Par tnership is currently reviewing future Board…most people agreed that it should be the Plan. The finished Plan will be published by the made up of a majority of elected local residents with end of the year and will be available to download on nominated representatives from par tner agencies… our website. A summary copy will also be available for residents. n this will be in place by April 2009

Red Cross at Wellspring On 18 September from 9am to 1pm,Wellspring Healthy Living Centre will be hosting a display stand by the British Red Cross. Red Cross staff will be on hand to chat to members of the public about the services they can access, including the International Tracing and Message Service which works to re-establish contact between relatives who have been separated by war or natural disaster. n

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Bloomin’ Solutions News Winners announced

Well done to all those who entered this year’s Bloomin’ Solutions competition. Standards were particularly high so it was very hard to judge but the winners are…

Front Garden 1st Sheila Page, Cooperage Road 2nd Frank Foley, Brentry Avenue 3rd Kay Hodge, Verrier Road Back Garden 1st Kay Hodge, Verrier Road 2nd Frank Foley, Brentry Avenue and Jo and Richard Curtis, Victoria Parade

3rd Betty Sanders, Hayward Road Street 1st Gullybrook Lane 2nd Verrier Road Community Space 1st New Deal Community Allotment, Russell Town Avenue

2nd St. Luke’s Church, Queen Ann Road. n

Dig for Victoria GroundForce is still looking for volunteers to help look after an area of Victoria Avenue. If you could join a team of residents to help keep the area looking nice contact Nicola Ferris on 07810506738.

Goodbye to GroundForce GroundForce says goodbye to Community at Heart at the end of September but before they go they would

p Bloomin’ Solutions winner Frank Foley from Brentry Avenue

like to bring together everyone who has participated in the project over the last three years.

This will be a fun evening with the chance to meet residents involved in local green projects, celebrate achievements and find out how you can help out in the future. n The Goodbye to GroundForce event takes place on Thursday 18 September, 6pm to 9pm at the Netham Pavilion. Everyone is welcome but you must book. Contact Nicola Ferris on 07810506738 by 11 September to book your place. .

Social Enterprise Works has moved Social Enterprise Works offers free support to help set up, improve or develop a social enterprise. It is now based at The Coach House, 2 Upper York Street, St Paul’s, BS2 8QN. To find out more contact 0117 907 0080 or sam@socialenterpriseworks.org or visit www.socialenterpriseworks.org

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The future of the young people’s programme

At the resident Appraisal Panel in July funding was agreed for a team of four youth workers to continue to offer activities to children and young people from the Safe ‘Ouse in the Dings until June 2009.

In early 2009 it is hoped that a new organisation will be created through local group, the Crypt Partnership (overseen

by St. Luke’s Church). The organisation will take over the Dings youth team to make sure it can continue its work. Plans are also developing to find other funding for youth work for when the NDC money runs out in June.

The Dings youth team delivers sessions at the Safe ‘Ouse three evenings a week and is beginning to work with young people from Newtown, St. Jude’s and Stapleton Road.

The team also runs the areas’ holiday activities programme and Youth Forum and is working to make sure those activities continue once Community at Heart funding has ended. n For more information on the young people’s programme contact Michelle Chatham on 0117 377 3336 or michelle.chatham@ ndcbristol.co.uk

Community Arts Forum The arts team at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre has been looking at ways to keep arts in the community after the NDC funding ends. Local people suggested a Community Arts Forum, so back in June a freelance artist was contracted to look at how an arts forum would work in the area. Many local residents contributed their ideas and plans for the Forum are now moving full steam ahead.

The team is looking for residents to join the Arts Forum steering group. The group will develop a website to promote all the creative activities, workshops, exhibitions, artists, designers and performers living and working in the area.

The website will give everyone access to information about what is going on, how they can join in and who is doing what locally in relation to the arts. The steering group will also coordinate the first annual multicultural arts festival in the

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area, which is due to take place next July or August. n If you are interested in learning new skills or developing existing ones and have a passion for community arts and want to get involved then contact Sally Reay on sally@sallyreay.com or 0117 304 1429.

If you are an artist keen to promote your work, workshops, facilities or exhibition space or if you would like to take part in a local multicultural arts festival next summer then contact sally@sallyreay.com

Ever fancied organising your own community event?

If that wasn’t enough, Tony had just a short break before he was putting on his next community event…. a birthday party for his mum in the grounds of Harwood House. Both these events just go to show what you can achieve with a little bit of time and effort Tony, who is also Chair of resident group Housing and how you can use your community space. n Solutions, and Clair organised the day following the success of the family event held in the Urban Park last If you are interested in running your own community event and would like support or advice contact Stacy Yelland on 0117 903 summer. They wanted to do something that would 9879. bring everyone in the community together to get to know each other.

After months of hard work Barton Hill residents Tony Hicks and Clair Silk can finally relax. The Fun Day they organised with the help of other local people on 16 August was a great success.

After weeks of terrible weather we all had our fingers crossed and thankfully the rain did hold off, even if stallholders were finding it a bit windy with marquees blowing away!

The event was well attended by residents of all ages and there was a really friendly atmosphere with children using the play equipment in the park while parents chatted.

With Mad Rich entertaining everyone, food, stalls and two local bands, people had plenty to keep them busy.

The young dance troupe Hype did two performances, which attracted the crowds.

Community at Heart was there on the day interviewing residents for a film, which will be shown at the Annual General Meeting on 17 September.

p

Hype dance troupe performing at Barton Hill Fun Day

Board members needed for Somali Resource Centre The Somali Resource Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to increase local residents’ involvement in promoting community cohesion, and helps the Somali population in the NDC area to participate in and contribute to the local community.

l Keeping informed about committee matters l Reviewing and commenting on minutes and reports l Getting to know other committee members and building working relationships l Participating in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning

To achieve this it needs to recruit new Board members.

Board members are unpaid volunteers who make a l Fundraising. n commitment to carrying out the work of the centre If you are interested in becoming a Board member for the Somali by: Resource Centre and helping promote community cohesion in the l Regularly attending Board meetings and other important meetings

NDC area, or for more information contact Abdullahi Farah on abdullahi.farah@ndcbristol.co.uk or call 0117 353 3995.

l Taking on pieces of work on behalf of the Board

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Barton Hill Kidz Time to close Sadly due to a change in management, Barton Hill Kidz Time holiday playscheme has had to close.

The scheme has been running since January 2004 but was not financially sustainable in the longer term. Many children and families have benefited from the fun and creative sessions it offered over the years.

Barton Hill Primary School and Children’s Centre is hoping to offer some after-school childcare places for school aged children in the autumn term. For more information contact the centre on 0117 903 0407.

More for Kids Club, based at Hannah More Primary School, will continue to offer childcare provision daily from 8.30am to 6pm during school holidays. n For more information on More 4 Kids Club contact Sarah Carter on 0117 903 9936.

Children enjoying activities at the holiday playscheme u

Do you care about Church Road?

Are you a local business or resident interested in improving your local shopping environment?

will be able to set the priorities for community policing in the Church Road area.

The Church Road Action Group aims to improve Church Road for the benefit of both residents and traders. By working together the group hopes to improve the appearance of the shopping area, develop empty buildings, tackle litter and graffiti, improve safety and increase awareness of the area as a place to live, work and shop.

Membership of the group is £5 per year and is open to all residents and businesses in the Church Road area. Meetings are held monthly, usually on the second Wednesday, and are open to anyone with an interest in the area.

Next meeting dates are 10 September, 2pm and 8 October, 6pm both at Bethesda on Church Road n

The Police and Safer Bristol will be attending September’s meeting to promote the Police and For more information contact BEST on 0117 916 6421 or Communities Together (PACT) meetings. Residents info@bristoleastsidetraders.co.uk

Old photos found!

We have found two old photos of Maze Street in Barton Hill, which we think belong to a local resident. If this means anything to you please get in touch, as we’d like to return them. Contact Stacy Yelland on 0117 903 9879.

Feeling stressed?

Back on Track is looking for women aged 30 to 54 to take part in a study about stress. Half the women who agree to take part in this study will go on a 12-week self-management course to help cope with day-to-day

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feelings of stress and anxiety. The other half will be given an information pack about other services. n If you are interested in getting involved contact your GP or call Helen Cramer on 0117 331 3820.

Neighbourhood Partnerships Bristol City Council is introducing 14 new Neighbourhood Partnerships across Bristol to increase the opportunities for residents to influence decisions that affect them. The Neighbourhood Partnership for Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill wards will be meeting by the end of the year and Community at Heart will be helping the local Councillors to organise this.

Voscur is launching a group to support residents and community groups who are involved in their Neighbourhood Partnership.

The Neighbourhood Partnership Residents’ Forum will concentrate on issues affecting local neighbourhoods and will give you the opportunity to hear good examples about what is being done to address those

issues in different parts of the city.

The next meeting will take place on 23 September, from 2pm to 5pm at The Council House, College Green. n Full details of the themes for the Neighbourhood Partnership Residents’ Forum meetings can be found at www.voscur.org/ brispartnership/np or if you’d like to find out more contact Matthew Symonds at Voscur on 0117 909 9949 or matthew@voscur.org.

Neighbourhood Partnership e-bulletin Keep up-to-date with all the latest Neighbourhood Partnership news by signing up to the new Neighbourhood Partnership e-bulletin. To receive the Neighbourhood partnership e-bulletin email ‘NP subscribe’ to info@voscur.org n

Marxab Yaa Ramadaan Muslims around the world are now enjoying one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Koran was revealed to Muhammad and is the month of mercy and forgiveness.

During Ramadan all Muslims over the age of 15 who are fit and healthy are obliged to fast. The 2008 Ramadan started on 2 September and lasts for 30 days.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.

It is a time to purify the soul and refocus attention on God. Ramadan is about much more than just not eating and drinking. Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance.

“We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits and essentially clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings.

The Arabic word for fasting (sawm) literally means ‘to refrain’ and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words” says Ahmed Abdi from Barton Hill Primary School and Children’s Centre. n

Young people’s health drop-in sessions Weekly drop-in sessions are taking place for young people aged 13 to 20. Sessions offer confidential support with relationships, sexual health, drug and alcohol problems and school or college projects.

Tuesdays, 4pm to 6pm at Barton Hill Youth Project, 204 Avonvale Road (0117 903 8249).

Young people’s nurse appointments available Monday to Friday at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre.

Sessions take place on: Mondays, 4pm to 6pm at Ask at Wellspring reception for an appointment or contact 0117 955 7474. n Wellspring Healthy Living Centre (0117 304 1440).

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Arts grants

Exhibition opportunities

The ar ts programme is looking for NDC residents who would like to exhibit their ar twork at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre. If you are Ar ts grants of up to £500 are still available for interested contact Sarah Winch on 0117 304 1429 residents, voluntar y organisations and community or sarah.winch@ndcbristol.co.uk groups in the NDC area. If you need funding to contribute towards a creative project or would Classes like financial suppor t for a course, materials or See the diar y on page 18 for listings of regular equipment then contact Sarah Winch on 0117 ar ts activities running at Wellspring Healthy Living 304 1429 or sarah.winch@ndcbristol.co.uk Centre. n

New play facilities at Barton Hill Primary Community at Hear t has agreed £67,420 to create the ideas gathered from consultation with the high quality play facilities in the grounds of Bar ton children. The children at the school were asked what sor t of things they would like to see in their Hill Primar y School and Children’s Centre. play space and suggestions such as a wooden Bar ton Hill Primar y School and Children’s Centre adventure playground, climbing frames, obstacle wants to develop the outside space of the school course, spor ts cour ts and a play house are being to provide high quality equipment, which will taken into consideration. complete the facilities of the flagship school.

This NDC funding will allow the school to begin The original play equipment from the old site is in what is a long-term project to develop a multistorage and the school will be taking advice from purpose space for the school and local community.

Health and Safety exper ts to see if it is fit to be The school is aiming for the works to be carried re-used. out by the end of the year.

The school has not yet commissioned the design Bristol City Council and the Youth Spor ts Trust are work for this project, but this will be done using also both contributing funding to the project. n

Safety on the Cycle Track You may have heard that there has been a rise in repor ts of attacks on the Bristol to Bath cycle path in the Easton area. To reassure residents it is still safe to use the path, we asked Safer Bristol just what is being done to address this problem:

Over the last four weeks the level of Police presence has reduced but patrolling is continuing at a higher level than it was before May. There has also been a lot of media coverage to raise awareness. Safer Bristol and the Police are also working on improving the level of light, increasing “From Januar y to March there were two incidents markings along the cycle way, involving local repor ted but from April to May there were over residents and improving communication with 30 incidents repor ted. In the last four weeks there residents and users of the cycle path. have been two incidents repor ted.

Residents should repor t any incidents that happen The Police response to this sudden rise was to on the cycle path to the Police on 0845 456 7000, increase resources from local beat teams and the in the event of an emergency always dial 999.” n citywide force. This included foot patrols (plain clothed and uniform), pedal cycle patrols, off-road motorcycle patrols, horse patrols and the use of Leylah Marouf, Assistant Community Safety Officer, the helicopter. Four arrests were made on the path. Safer Bristol.

16

Ricardo reaching the top Ricardo Sharr y from Bar ton Hill has been involved in Community at Hear t’s young people’s programme since 2001 when he was just 13.

Earlier this year he was nominated for the REACH programme by the Depar tment for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The REACH programme is a new idea from Government to ask people from across the countr y to advise DCLG on how to work with young people.

Ricardo was chosen to take par t as one of four young people from across the UK. The work means he has to go to London to look at how the Government can improve the way young people are involved in decision-making and he helps make recommendations to DCLG. Earlier this month he got to meet Secretar y of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears.

Ricardo says: “I want to make sure young people have a say and that their views are taken into consideration when decisions are made and to tr y and help change the way that young Black men are perceived in our society. I think programmes like REACH are a good star t in helping to change the way people think about and treat young people. I learnt about empowerment through being involved

p Ricardo Sharry with local resident Brian Potter

in Community at Hear t and it has made me want to teach other young people the impor tance of changing things for themselves.”

We would like to say a big well done to Ricardo as this is a fantastic achievement and goes to show how much he has achieved. n

More residents benefit from Dings Home Zone The environmental improvements that have been achieved in the residential roads within the Dings Home Zone are clear to see. Until now the residents of Oxford Street haven’t had the full The original Dings Home Zone project focussed benefit of the improvements but this is all about to on seven residential roads in the Dings area: change. Completing the Home Zone will improve Bar ton Road, Bar ton Vale, Birkin Street, Dings not only Oxford Street but will also fur ther deter Walk, Oxford Street, Tyler Street and Union Road. through-traffic and commuter parking.

The Home Zone was successfully introduced in six of the streets, but the majority of the work Residents will be sent a consultation leaflet with a on Oxford Street was not completed due to a feedback section on this new proposed work over the coming months. shor tfall in funding.

Community at Hear t has agreed an additional £118,000 to continue work on the Dings Home Zone.

Community at Hear t has recently agreed to fund the work to complete the Home Zone on Oxford Street in the Dings.

The Oxford Street project is being managed by Bristol City Council’s Engineering Consultancy and funded by Community at Hear t. n

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Meetings

Green Solutions Steering Group, NS, 1pm Housing Solutions Board, BHS, 7pm (AGM 6.30pm) Planning Solutions,Wellspring, 6pm Rubbish, litter and recycling meeting, Somali Resource Centre, 6pm Community at Heart Board, Netham, 6.30pm (AGM 6pm) Neighbourhood Champions meeting,Wellspring, 6pm Planning Solutions,Wellspring, 6pm Neighbourhood Solutions Steering Group, venue tbc, 6.15pm Green Solutions, Neighbourhood Shop, 1pm Planning Solutions,Wellspring, 6pm

Matthew Mark Matthew Mumin Ulla Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew

0117 377 2735 0117 903 9877 0117 377 2735 0117 353 3995 0117 903 9975 0117 377 2735 0117 377 2735 0117 377 2735 0117 377 2735 0117 377 2735

Mondays Mondays Tuesdays Tuesdays Tues and Thurs Tuesdays Wednesdays Wednesdays Wednesdays Wednesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Thursdays Thursdays Thursdays Thursdays Fridays Fridays Fridays

Over 30’s Keep-fit,The Dug Out, Barton Hill Road, 6pm Dave Yoga,Wellspring, 4pm, £2 Mandy After School Club, Netham, 3:30- 5:30pm, free Neil Slimming World, Netham, 6.30-8pm Louiza Basketball, City Academy, 7pm Neil Hips, Bums and Tums,Wellspring, 2pm, £2 Mandy Girl’s Cheerleading (ages 5-9), 4pm, (ages 10+), 5pm, Netham, £2.50 Kickboxing (ages 10+), Netham, 6pm, £2.50 Neil Over 30’s Mixed Keep-fit, Netham, 6pm Neil Somali Men’s Bocce (Italian Bowls), Netham, 2-4pm, £1 Neil Street Games (Multisport), Netham, 7.30-8.30pm, free Neil Adult Pilates Beginners, Netham, 10.30am, £3 Neil Adult Pilates Intermediate, Netham, 11.30am, £3

Neil Street Football, Netham, 7-8.30pm, free New Deal Fishing Group, various, 5pm, free Neil Tai Chi,Wellspring, 10.30am, £2 Mandy Barton Hill Martial Arts Club, Netham, 4:30-6pm, £2.50 Neil Women’s Keep-fit, Netham, 10am, £1

Neil Muslim Women’s Keep-fit, Settlement, 12pm, 50p

0117 304 1432 0117 304 1425 0117 903 9872 0780 943 2725 0117 903 9872 0117 304 1425

Mondays Mondays Tuesdays Tuesdays Tuesdays Tuesdays Tuesdays Wednesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays Saturdays

Acupuncture (drop-in),Wellspring, 9.30am-1pm Massage and Reflexology,Wellspring, 5-7pm Men’s Support Group, Netham, 10am

Homeopathy Children’s Clinic,Wellspring, 9.30am-12.30pm Acupuncture,Wellspring, 2-6pm Massage,Wellspring 7-9pm Infant Massage,Wellspring, 11am, £2 Massage and Reflexology,Wellspring, 5-7 pm Support to lose weight,Wellspring, 5.30pm, £2 Massage and Reflexology,Wellspring, 4-7 pm Women’s health and lifestyle,Wellspring, 10am, £2 Complementary therapy clinic (drop-in),Wellspring, 12-3pm Homeopathy Children’s Clinic,Wellspring, 10am-12pm Hypnotherapy,Wellspring, 10am-12pm

Amy Amy Dave Amy Amy Amy

0117 304 1414 0117 304 1414 0117 304 1432 0117 304 1414 0117 304 1414 0117 304 1414

Amy Mandy Amy Mandy Amy Amy Amy

0117 304 1414 0117 304 1425 0117 304 1414 0117 304 1425 0117 304 1414 0117 304 1414 0117 304 1414

MISC

ARTS

Health

9 Sep 9 Sep 9 Sep 10 Sep 17 Sep 24 Sep 1 Oct 7 Oct 14 Oct 22 Oct

SPORTS

THE DIARY

Tuesdays Drawing and Painting, art room at Wellspring, 2-4pm Tuesdays Ceramics, art room at Wellspring, 7-9pm Tuesdays Bartones, café area at Wellspring, 7.30-9.30pm Wednesdays Samba,Wellspring, 7pm, £2 Fridays Dreamtime for parents and babies,Wellspring, 10am-12pm, £1 for creche (for 0-4 year olds) Saturdays Art Club for 7-14 year olds,Wellspring, 10am-12pm, free All classes are £2 for NDC and £4 for non-NDC residents unless otherwise stated Sarah Fridays Sat and Sun Thursdays

ABV.

18

Coffee Morning, Netham, 11am, 50p Neil New Deal Flyers Bike Loan, Baynton House, Lawrence Hill, 10am-12pm and 1-3pm Father’s Group, Barton Hill Primary, 3-4pm

David Wellspring = Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, Beam Street, Bar ton Hill, Bristol NS = Neighbourhood Shop, 208-212 Avonvale Road, Bar ton Hill, Bristol Netham = Netham Pavilion, Redfield, Bristol BHS = Bar ton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Bar ton Hill, Bristol

0117 903 9872 0117 903 9872 0117 903 9872 0117 903 9872 0117 903 9872 0117 903 9872 0117 903 9872 0117 304 1425 0117 903 9872 0117 903 9872 0117 955 6971

0117 304 1429 0117 903 9872 0117 304 1432

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