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VPAG NEWS – April 2024
Skatepark – official opening on Saturday 4th May: it’s great seeing so many people of different ages using the new skatepark every day. BCC are looking at providing extra litter facilities to cope with the increased need nearby. The official opening day will be full of action!
Amir’s last day – Sunday 28th April: Sadly, Amir and his black van are leaving us as BCC has chosen another provider going forward from May. Our thanks go to him for the excellent coffee and refreshments that he has provided for park-users since he arrived last autumn. We wish him every success in his future ventures – come along and say goodbye at 2pm on his last day.
Bristol South Skyline Walk is on Saturday 18th May, starting at 10.30am outside Temple Meads Station. It links at least 10 of South Bristol’s parks and open spaces, incl. Victoria Park. For more info. see www.bristolwalkfest.com/event/bristol-south-skyline-walk and www.bssw.org.uk .
The Spring Clean on Sat. 6th April was a great success, with 22 adults and children collecting 12+ big bags of litter and more stickers and graffiti removed from the entrances. Many thanks to all who helped out.
Commemorations: After the Spring Clean there was a short ceremony at the viewfinder where Mary, Alf Havvock’s widow, unveiled a plaque that commemorates Alf’s service to the park over many years. Steve Clampin from BCC then presented VPAG (via Cllr Lisa Stone) with a Silver RHS South West in Bloom “Pride in Parks” award.
Wildlife – Harry has led two sessions in the last month with a group of volunteers who have dead-hedged round rewilded areas of the park to give wildlife more protection. You can see the results of their hard work on the north-facing bank, west of the school.
St Luke’s Community Heritage Project – at the last VPAG meeting, John O’Connor from the Museum of Totterdown told us some fascinating stories about the houses, shops and numerous pubs that were on St Luke’s Road before demolition in the 1960s & 70s. Houses between Hill Ave and the railway bridge on the west side of the road stood on what is now part of Victoria Park. John will display the results of the project at the VPAG Festival on 14th Sept. Do let us know if you have any stories and/or photos that relate to this area from the 1960s & 70s and before.
Park-keeper’s Lodge: though approval for an Enabling Grant has been obtained, there is no money currently available, hence our plans to get moving on The Lodge restoration project are temporarily stalled. We will keep you informed of any progress.
Activities over the summer: The annual Festival & Dog Show will be held on Sat. 14th Sept. but if you think something should happen in the park before then, why not organise it yourself? The VPAG Committee is a small group and can’t do everything, but we’re happy to advise you and BCC has useful information here: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/museums-parks-sports-and-culture/arts-culture-and-events/hold-an-event-in-a-park-open-space-or-street
Next meeting: Due to the May Bank Holiday this will be on Monday 13th May. 2024 at 7.30pm in the Bowling Club at the top of the park. Come along and share ideas for improving the park – Everyone is welcome!
*You can make contact via this link: https://vpag.org.uk/contact-us/