Friends of the downs and avon gorge

Welcome to the Friends of the Downs Web site
Our aims are: To monitor, work with and influence the Downs Committee, Bristol City Council and all those involved in the management, maintenance and improvement of the Gorge and Downs.  To protect and enhance the Downs and the Gorge for the benefit both of all its users and its wildlife. To consult with, and represent, the views and aspirations of all users. Activities: Restoration projects, conservation and education. We run a full programme of talks, walks and events as well as volunteer programmes such as wildlife monitoring and deep litter clean-ups. Our quarterly newsletter features reports on our activities, articles to inform, provoke and entertain as well as views from members.
For details on how to join, you can contact us here.
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New in August 2022:
Chairman's report New in August 2022: - see below

The problem of BBQ's on the Downs, Parks and common spaces. Item from the Guardian dated 12th August - see below Chairman's August 2022 report.
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New in June 2022:
Here is a link to the Bristol City Council Downs web site. There is some good information and interesting downloadable leaflets on various different asspects of the Downs. https://www.bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports.../the-downs

Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events programme summer - winter 2022 - see below latest Chairman's report on this page, also click here for the events page
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New in May 2022:
Chairman's report April 2022 - see below

Link to a Bristol Evening post item on the Downs committee and the results of a recent survey www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristols-downs-committee-pushes-ahead-7118464#comments-wrapper. N.B It seems that you need to scroll up to see the begining of the item.

The Autunm 2021 Newsletter is now available for download from the Newsletter page.

Recently added to the Events page (click this link) are a series of wildlife walks and talks run by the The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project..
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AUGUST 2022

You may recall from the Spring Newsletter that the Downs Committee was under sustained pressure to become more transparent in the way it conducted its business. Following the damaging court case brought by Downs for People and others the Committee commissioned a survey to explore possible alternative governance models that might be appropriate for the Downs. The conclusion of the survey indicated that there was no real appetite for major change but the way the Downs Committee conducted its affairs should be reviewed. The good news is that there seems to be a new spirit of determination within the Committee to bring about change. Documents like financial reports are now available in greater detail and in future the public will have greater access to the Committee and have an opportunity to place questions. One of FOD+AG’s key issues has been about continuity within the Committee with key positions currently changing every year so we are pleased to see that concern addressed at least for this year with previous Committee member and current Lord Mayor, Paula O’Rourke, now taking the chair and Councillor Steve Smith, the previous chair, remaining on the Committee. This could provide a platform for policies and procedures to be put in place and eventually brought to fruition. I am cautiously optimistic that there is a new and encouraging willingness within the Downs Committee to engage with others to bring about the one thing we all want, a well managed and welcoming public open space.

The long awaited decision to permit the development of a new cafe and toilet block at Seawalls has finally happened. FOD+AG, after much deliberation, took the view that supporting the proposal was the pragmatic option given that the net benefit of new toilets, an education hub and cafeteria outweighed the alternative of having the current toilets closed down anyway.
The previously mentioned court case has seriously dented the Downs finances. The Bristol Post in an article published at the end of June reported that last year’s legal costs meant that the Committee’s budget was seriously overspent by a staggering £207,295 and that this sum would need to be underwritten by city taxpayers. This is a serious situation and in the current climate will require some creativity to bring about financial stability.

At the last meeting of the Downs Committee, I presented a statement that included a report of dangerous driving on the Downs picked up from Facebook and below is a message from a regular Downs user. Unfortunately, it highlights the disregard some people have for nature, the environment and community spaces. Downs Committee member Cllr. Steve Smith has promised to raise the matter with Avon & Somerset Crime Commissioner.
‘So disappointed to see the grass totally shredded and littering every- where this morning, plus at least one totally destroyed picnic bench. As a local resident I could hear cars tearing around last night for a couple of hours and did try and get hold of non-urgent police to report it, but without any luck. Such a shame. As a dog walker - I’m here at least once a day most days and it’s sad to see a minority ruining this special place for the majority.’

The story was picked up by Alex Seabrook (Bristol Post) who after further research reported that the car meet was held on June 12th which saw drivers showing off souped-up cars drifting on the grassed areas of the Downs. Apparently this is the third time this has happened. FOD+AG understands that after further inquiries the police have issued seventeen Notices of Prosecution for driving on the Downs. BCCMUK [Beyond City Car Meets UK], understood to be the organisers of the meet, appear to arrange similar events across the region on a regular basis with locations withheld until the last minute. Social media posts after June 12th, and referring to BCCMUK, show cars driven dangerously across the Downs, with hundreds of spectators looking on.
Robert Westlake
Chair
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Sainsbury’s and Tesco halt disposable barbecues sales amid wildfire risk

Why it’s only one cheer for Tesco 12th August 2022

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/aug/11/sainsburys-halts-disposable-barbecues-sales-amid-wildfire-risk?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Disposable barbecue Petition link: UK government website
‘Tesco changed its policy from a local ban near areas of outstanding beauty such as the New Forest to a UK-wide temporary pause on sales late on Thursday in the light of the heatwave and dry conditions. It is understood to be planning to restock disposable barbecues once weather conditions make it safe to do so.’

Whilst we must welcome the decision by both Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's to stop the sale of disposable barbecues, we must continue to campaign against their sale, as the general environmental reasons for getting rid of these items altogether remains compelling. The fire risk is clearly very concerning but the other reasons for getting rid of them altogether are also very powerful.
Perhaps the main clue is in first word of the title: ‘Disposable Barbecue’. With our growing awareness of the fragility of our planet, it is difficult to understand how disposable barbecues are still available for use. The whole concept runs contrary our need to:

Conserve our natural resources.
Avoid using toxic chemicals (inevitably present with fire accelerants included within the wrapped disposable barbecue), which are harmful to wildlife, flora and fauna (& humans!).
Avoid burning fossil fuels, which are usually obtained from unsustainable sources.
Avoid the emission of carbon monoxide, which can be fatally toxic if used in a confined area.
Avoid the unnecessary use of landfill – although DBs are technically recyclable, any DBs that are left around end up in landfill. In practice it is unlikely that DBs are recycled at home because of the work that needs to be done to separate the burnt remains of the DB. There were just 9 million disposable barbecues sold in the UK in 1997. This increased to 130 million in 2015 and there is no sign that this number has stopped increasing in the last seven years.
Avoid burning our grasses – most people might attempt to ensure that the disposable barbecue is properly raised above ground level, but unfortunately, as can be seen right across our city parks, many people do not take this simple and basic precaution. Whilst the visible scars of the burnt grass might disappear over a period of six to nine months, it can take the soil up to two years to recover fully from a destructive fire.
Avoid the risk of fire – whilst this might not appear to be as severe a risk as on open moorland in areas such as the Moors of Devon and Yorkshire, Wareham Forest in Dorset and the New Forest, there have been damaging fires in our city parks in. Hot DBs are often left abandoned and are a hazard to children, dogs and wildlife.

Recycling?????
Please note that there are seven different types of item within the disposable barbecue pack which may require up to seven different means for safe recycling:

Plastic wrapping
Paper instructions
Carboard box
Tinfoil container
Charcoal
Metal cooking grill, with remains of fat and cooked items
Aluminium mini-stand

How many people follow the detailed instructions for recycling?
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT APRIL 2022

This time last year I finished the Spring Newsletter with a message of hope. Hope that we were past the worst of Covid-19. Hope that the vaccine programme would provide the protection we all desired and that life would soon return to normal. Regrettably the virus still remains a significant feature in our lives, albeit in a less virulent form and we have learnt to live with Covid and despite depressingly high infection rates we are returning to something like normal life.

You will have noted from recent news bulletins and updates that the Downs Committee has been under some pressure to become more transparent in the way that the Downs are managed. This comes on the back of the court case brought successfully by the Downs for People group against the City Council and the Downs Committee. The concerted effort by Downs for People and others has prompted the Downs Committee to address the issues raised and have proposed to do so with a Strategic Review. Stakeholders including FOD+AG have had the opportunity to contribute to the early debate and remain optimistic that we will be able to do so in the future. As an organisa- tion your FOD+AG committee has confirmed by letter its continued support for the Downs Committee but also supporting calls to become more representative in the way that the Committee conducts its business.

I hope some of you have taken the opportunity to contribute to the survey offered by the outgoing Lord Mayor. The Downs Committee are keen to find out what you, Downs users, expect from the Committee and if changes are made what would you find acceptable. If you missed the survey and you have comments you would like passed on to the Downs Committee, feel free to contact me directly (robertjwestlake@gmail.com) and I can pass on your thoughts.

One of the issues we have regularly highlighted is continuity within the Downs Committee. Every year the chair in the shape of the Lord Mayor is replaced, likewise his deputy the Master of the Merchant Venturers and a third of the Committee are also rotated. This does not lend itself to good governance. At the very least FOD+AG has suggested that the outgoing Lord Mayor remains as a Committee member for a further year. To address issues of continuity and improved representation we would like to see the review recommend a citizen led panel that could sit alongside the Downs Committee in an advisory capacity. Openness and transparency should be a given with citizens able to put questions to the Committee and receive answers based on best practice for public office.
Perhaps the biggest issue currently exercising the Downs Committee is funding. The City Council contributes to the upkeep but a significant sum is raised from the Downs major events. This summer sees the return of a full events programme to the Downs. There will be major events every month starting with Funderworld at Easter and ending in October with the Circus. {Please see Events Page for Full Listings} Not everybody welcomes the events. Residents living near Seawalls have threatened legal action if their lives are again blighted by a noisy concert. Others have raised concerns about overuse of the Downs with claims that events like Funderworld cause lasting harm to the Downs greensward.

So here is the conundrum. How is the Downs to be financed in the future? The reserve is gone, so nothing in the bank and income will be lost from car parking when the zoo decamps from Clifton. There is some income from concessions and from the Downs league football but it is only a relatively small sum.

It will be the responsibility of the Downs Committee to find a balanced approach that can deliver what we want from the Downs without destroying the very thing we want to protect and preserve. The City Council has some responsibility to underpin the Downs finances but Parks budgets are also under extreme pressure. Any income that the Downs can make will help relieve that pressure. We urge the Downs Committee to seek imaginative solutions and alternative ways forward. If members have ideas of their own on how the Downs can generate income, please let us know.

In the last edition of the Newsletter, you will have read about a letter FOD+AG intended to send to supermarkets etc. about the sale of disposable barbecues. We are pleased to report some success with the campaign to eliminate the use of these ubiquitous barbecues. Led by long serving member Timothy Dowling, letters condemning their use and the damage they cause were sent to local supermarkets, their head offices, local schools and universities. FOD+AG received a prompt response from the Henleaze branch of Waitrose informing us that they would no longer be stocking disposable units and that this would be rolled out nationally. Even better news came with the announcement that Aldi would also desist from supplying these units. Tesco and Co-op have also dropped supplies at some local high-risk sites. Wilco promised to pass on our request to their buying team for review.
FOD+AG has followed up on our earlier action with a further letter to local outlets pointing out the initiative shown by Waitrose and Aldi and strongly suggesting that they might like to follow suit.

Robert Westlake Chair

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Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events programme summer to winter 2022.

For further information contact Mandy Leivers (Avon Gorge & Downs Biodiversity Education Manager) on 0117 903 0609 or e-mail mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk.
Pre-booking for all events is essential.
For all events (apart from the Christmas star party) book online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.
For the Christmas star party only book by calling 0117 9030609 or emailing mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
Details of meeting points are given after booking.

Sunday 10th July
Butterflies of the Downs (Walk)
Join Timothy Dowling from the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge on a Sunday afternoon stroll around Zoo Banks. Along the way, learn to identify butterflies and find out more about the lives of these lovely insects.
2.00pm - 4.00pm,   £7.50
On the Downs. Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Thursday 21st July
Bat and moth night (Walk)
Meet some of the Avon Gorge and Downs’ nocturnal residents on our special evening walk. Experts Ray Barnett and David Brown will be on hand to identify and tell us about these fascinating animals.
9.00pm - 11.00pm,   £7.50
Run in conjunction with Avon Bat Group and the Bristol & District Moth Group.
On the Downs. Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Thursday 28th July
Gorge-ous goats (Family event – suitable for children aged 6+)
Explore Goat Gully as we visit the Avon Gorge’s cutest and hairiest residents. Find out how these
conservation heroes are helping to save rare plants through our interactive story and playing our
gobbling goats game.
10.30am - 12.30pm,   £5.00 per person
NB: There are very steep slopes, uneven ground, kissing gates and steps on this walk.
On the Downs and in the Avon Gorge. Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Saturday 13th August
Spiders of the Avon Gorge (Walk)
Explore the Gully with Mark Pajak as we take a look at the variety of spiders living in the Avon Gorge. We’ll search for signs of elusive purse web spiders (relatives of tarantulas!), jumping spiders and orb weavers as well as many other species.
10.30am - 12.30pm,   £7.50
NB: There are very steep slopes, uneven ground and steps on this walk.
On the Downs and in the Avon Gorge. Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Tuesday 4th October
Eight-legged wonders (Talk)
Join Mark Pajak for a fascinating introduction to spiders. This talk will look at their habitats, lifestyles, ingenious methods for capturing prey, luring mates and avoiding predators. Learn about the different kinds found living in the Avon Gorge and on the Downs and be intrigued as Mark spins a yarn about the fantastic discovery of the purse-web spider (a relative of tarantulas no less!).
7.00pm - 8.00pm, £6.00
At Bristol Zoo Gardens’ Conservation Education Centre (although Bristol Zoo Gardens will close to the public on 3rd September 2022, the Conservation Education Centre, on Guthrie Road, will remain open for courses and talks). Venue accessible to wheelchair users.
Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Thursday 20th October
Owl prowl on the Downs (Walk)
Join owl specialist Ian McGuire for a fantastic evening on the Downs learning all about British owls. If we’re lucky, our resident tawny owls might put in an appearance!
7.30pm - 9.30pm,   £10.00
On the Downs. Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Saturday 22nd October
Identifying birds on the Downs in autumn (Course)
Learn how to identify resident and over-wintering migrant birds with Ed Drewitt. After an introduction, our expert will lead you on a walk, teaching you to identify the birds you’re likely to see and hear on the Downs at this time of year. This course is aimed at those who are developing their bird identification skills and/or have been on one of our spring birdsong courses.
10.00am - 3.30pm,   £30.00
On the Downs and at Bristol Zoo Gardens’ Conservation Education Centre (although Bristol Zoo Gardens will close to the public on 3rd September 2022, the Conservation Education Centre, on Guthrie Road, will remain open for courses and talks). Venue accessible to wheelchair users.
Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Wednesday 26th October
Awesome owls (Children’s event for 8 – 12 year olds)
Discover the wonderful world of wild owls with expert Ian McGuire. Investigate how they live and hunt in this hands-on workshop, then create your own awesome owl from natural materials to take home.
Drop off children at 10.00am and pick them up at 3.30pm,   £15.00 per child
At Bristol Zoo Gardens’ Conservation Education Centre (although Bristol Zoo Gardens will close to the public on 3rd September 2022, the Conservation Education Centre, on Guthrie Road, will remain open for children’s events, courses and talks).
Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Tuesday 8th November
Goats in the Gully (Talk)
The Avon Gorge is one of the most important sites for rare plants in the UK - home to the iconic Bristol onion and Bristol rock-cress. Join Downs Supervisor Ben Skuse and Mandy Leivers from the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project to discover how our ‘hairy conservationists’ are helping to restore flower-rich grasslands in this special area of the Avon Gorge.
7.00pm - 8.00pm, £6.00
At Bristol Zoo Gardens’ Conservation Education Centre (although Bristol Zoo Gardens will close to the public on 3rd September 2022, the Conservation Education Centre, on Guthrie Road, will remain open for courses and talks). Venue accessible to wheelchair users. Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Saturday 19th November
Trees in winter on the Downs (Walk)
Join ecologist Neill Talbot for a walk to learn how to identify British native trees in winter by looking at their buds, twigs and bark.
10.30am - 12.30pm,   £10.00
Book Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events online at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/all-events/AG&DWP or call 0117 4285300.

Tuesday 29th or Wednesday 30th November or Thursday 1st December*
Christmas star party on the Downs
Wrap up warm for a seasonal night of stargazing with the Bristol Astronomical Society and Shaaron Leverment and Ben Brown from Explorer Dome. Be amazed as you look at the Orion Nebula through a telescope. Learn how to spot the main winter constellations and enjoy hearing the stories written in the stars with a unique festive twist.
7.00pm - 9.00pm,   £10.00 (adults) £5.00 (children)
Includes a hot drink and a star-shaped cookie!
*You need to be free for all three evenings as the weather may be unsuitable on the 29th or 30th November.
Run in conjunction with the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge.
On the Downs
Please book in advance but pay on the evening. This event only – Book by calling 0117 9030609 or email mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk

The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Natural England, University of Bristol, the Society of Merchant Venturers, Downs Committee,
Bristol Zoological Society, National Trust and Forestry England.
We also work in partnership with the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge.
The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Avon Gorge, Clifton Down, Durdham Down and Leigh Woods, as well as raising awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for people and wildlife.

Mandy Leivers,
Avon Gorge & Downs Biodiversity Education Manager,
Learning Department,
Bristol Zoo Gardens,
Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA
Tel: 0117 9030609 / 0117 4285460
e-mail: mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
www.avongorge.org.uk     www.facebook.com/avongorge   www.bristolzoo.org.uk
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT JANUARY 2022

At long last we can look forward to the end of short days and dark nights. The binds of winter are slipping slowly away and the promise of spring is once again upon us. I remain optimistic that as the year unfolds, we will all find ourselves in a better place. Covid 19 and its variants will hopefully be, if not a thing of the past then something that we at least learn to live with. The pandemic has served to remind us about the fragility of life and to perhaps take a step back and re- evaluate what we previously considered so important.
To cope with the restrictions posed by Covid FOD+AG has modified regular activities but continue to operate as best we can. Formal committee meetings indoors have for the moment been suspended but with the easing of restrictions we will now reconvene at the earliest possible moment.
Volunteers have been out and about throughout the winter carrying out important work. Regular activities like dead hedge maintenance at Circular Road is complete, weekend goat monitoring continues and deep-seated litter operations have been undertaken throughout the winter. The committee thanks all the volunteers who turned out, often in difficult weather conditions.

You will have seen from the January news bulletin that FOD+AG have taken an interest in the proposed St. Christopher’s development. This is because there are concerns about height of buildings, loss of trees, density and increased traffic movements. As the property is a direct neighbour of the Downs FOD+AG is currently engaging with the site developer and working on a response to the Planning Authority. If you have thoughts of your own about the proposed development, please let us know. Members views are important to us.

You will also have seen from the regular bulletins that we are working with the Downs Commoners, the Downs supervisor and the Merchant Venturers to bring a sheep grazing event to the Downs. I am pleased to confirm that the event will go ahead. In May a small flock of sheep will be brought to the Downs and penned near St Monica’s. Invited guests and local schools will be in attendance and FOD+AG will be on hand with our display and to assist on the day. The tradition is carried out every five years and is a requirement to maintain the ‘right to graze’ held by the Downs Commoners. (See more on page 18.) FOD+AG member Tim Dowling is leading on a campaign to raise awareness of the blight caused by indiscriminate use of portable barbecues. This has long been a problem for the Downs and open spaces nationally. Do you have a view on whether portable barbecues should be removed from sale entirely? Do let us know.

On 24th January the Downs Committee met and items on the agenda included Public Forum statements to the Committee. Included were statements from Downs for People, and from Cllr. Christine Townsend (Green Party) both strongly condemning the Committee for its continued lack of transparency, not being representative in its composition and calling for the Merchant Venturers to be excluded from the Downs Committee. The Lord Mayor, from the chair, confirmed that the promised Strategic Review into how the Downs could be managed in the future would be published shortly. FOD+AG will await the outcome of the Review before agreeing a final position.
Robert Westlake

Extract from Cllr. Townsend’s statement:
“The Society of Merchant Venturers need to hand over the Downs and remove themselves from our governance structures, getting out of Bristol’s democracy – removed if necessary. Only those of us with a mandate to represent the people can be in position to make decisions over how our public spaces are managed and how much public money is spent on them. It is the people who have been paying for the upkeep and development of public space, not the Society of Merchant Venturers.”
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Upcoming’ events on The Downs for 2022
Funderworld - April 1 to May 2
Foodies Fest - May 20 to 22
Jubilee Beacon - June 2
Comedy Garden - June 15 to 19
Race for Life - June 25 to 26
Bristol Comedy Garden is set to return to The Downs after making its debut there in 2021 (Image: John Myers)Cycle Sunday - July 3
Bristol Pride - July 9
Adventure Cinema - August 5 to 7
Downs Concerts (new name to be confirmed) - September 2-4
Student Union event - September 23 to 24
Downs Circus - September 27 to October 16
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Imagining The Downs of the Future: Your chance to participate in an innovative project looking at how the Downs might be in the future. All free, no need to book so why not come along, bring the family and join in the Workshop. {please see attachment}
What do we want The Downs to be like in the future? In this creative-mapping workshop, led by walking artist Dr Siobhan O’Neill, we’ll explore what you treasure and what you might discard as a starting point for reimagining The Downs. Then, illustrate your imaginings in the creation of a future map for 2050.
Run with the Friends of the Down and Avon Gorge and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council via the Wastes and Strays project https://research.ncl.ac.uk/wastesandstrays/
This family-friendly event consists of a guided walk on the Downs to capture images of treasure and trash, followed by a drop-in creative workshop to map out your visions for the future. Your visions will help start a conversation about how we create the urban common we want to see – considering stewardship, biodiversity, access and diverse uses.

Workshop
Sunday 27th February | 10.30am – 1.30pm. By the Downs Dressing rooms.

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An item written recently by The Society of Merchant Ventures

The Downs – a beacon of green space during the pandemic.

As residents of Bristol, it can be very easy to take things around us for granted that we’ve always known. And for many, that may well be the case for The Downs – an amazing piece of open space in the heart of Bristol, that has always been there, and provides a freely available green playground for us all.
And with the situation that we’ve all found ourselves in over the last twelve months with three national lockdowns, who would have thought that The Downs would be playing such an important part in our lives today – giving Bristol 441 acres of beautiful open space and fresh air to enjoy.
During all three national lockdowns, and indeed throughout the year, The Downs have been a beacon of light for Bristol residents. Easily accessible from all parts of the city, and with plenty of space for social distancing, it’s a common sight to see families and individuals taking in the fresh air. Runners, athletes; dog walkers; families – it’s the ideal space for people to exercise as we’re all encouraged to do.
Whilst there’s no exact numbers counted for visitors to The Downs, it’s been estimated that during the last twelve months visits have been up by some 75%, particularly at weekends. As the weather begins to improve, and as we’re allowed to meet friends and family outside as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, this spectacular “green lung” of the city will continue to attract people from all over Bristol.
Ben Skuse, who is the Area Supervisor for the Downs, Blaise and Kingsweston Estates agrees: “This last year numbers of visitors have far exceeded anything we’ve known before. Being in a park is where it’s been at!
“The Downs have been so beneficial for people wanting to swop lockdown situations inside for wide-reaching views and fresh air. We’ve received plenty of emails from people saying thank you to The Downs, which is really gratifying.”
Jonathon Baker, a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers who’s served on The Downs Committee for the past five years, says we can’t underestimate how important the land is to Bristol.
“As a city we’re so lucky to have this piece of land that is safeguarded for the enjoyment of the people of Bristol. It sets Bristol apart from other towns and cities in the UK and is undoubtedly one of the reasons that Bristol is repeatedly cited as one of the Best (if not THE best) places to live.
“Green space is so important to everyone’s well-being, and to have such a large swathe of stunning greenery easily accessible for us all to relish, is quite amazing. It’s something that we should never take for granted,” he says. “The Downs have a special place in our hearts and minds.”
So who looks after The Downs?
The Downs Act of 1861 brought the two landowners of Clifton and Durdham Downs together – that’s to say the Bristol City Council or corporation, and the Society of Merchant Venturers, into what we know today as The Downs Committee. This committee – the guardians of The Downs – essentially oversees the management and safeguarding of The Downs.
The vision of the Council and the Society of Merchant Venturers, the passing of the Clifton and Durdham Downs Act ensured that The Downs were to be preserved from any development, freely available for the people of Bristol to enjoy. The two organisations were united in this and agreed to work together to make it happen. Since then The Downs Committee has comprised representatives of both bodies, the Mayor (now Lord Mayor) in the chair; six representatives from the Council, six from the Society of Merchant Venturers, and its current Master. This format still exists today.
Robert Westlake, Chair of the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge group, says, “The City Council and Merchant Venturers were very innovative to recognise that there was a need for a public recreation area in Bristol back in the 1800s, and to save the area from local landowners claiming land to build houses. They certainly had vision taking this action.”
At the same time, Bristol City Council has responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of The Downs, today undertaken by a team of five within the Council’s parks department. Led by Ben Skuse, Ben declares he’s got the best office in the world!
He says, “Every time you read about Bristol being a great place to live, it must have lots to do with the fact that we have plenty of green, open space, so you can feel you’re in the countryside while in a city. The open spaces are large scale, so that helps with the feel of being in the country.
“I used to come to The Downs as a child. It makes me feel proud to work here now. Life turns full circle and I now enjoy bringing my daughter to The Downs. It’s such an important space for the city. It’s never a chore coming to work, I’m really pleased to play my part in its upkeep.”
Ben’s team have a wide variety of duties when it comes to the daily maintenance of the 400+ acres. Following a carefully laid out management plan, they look after the grassland, woodland, scrub and amenity grassland, as well as the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the wildflower meadows. Everything is identified and managed accordingly.
With the increased visitor numbers over the last twelve months Ben’s team have been extra busy.
“Clearing up the rubbish has been our number one priority. We need to keep the space safe and tidy. In just one seven-day period in 2020 we took away 7.8 tonnes of rubbish.
“Alongside the increased visitors, the wet weather in January and February this year also caused its own issues,” says Ben. “It’s the first time we’ve seen such ground erosion alongside the paths, and wear on the grass – but as the weather clears up and the ground begins to dry out, we’ll start to reinstate the ground where it’s needed.”
Working closely with The Downs Committee, Ben and his team do so much more too! They are guardians of the 32 football pitches on The Downs, they work with events organisers on ground maintenance, and even play their part in daily check on the Goats in the Gully, making sure the fence line is secure, and the goats have plenty of water. They maintain The Downs’ 180 benches; they look after the children’s play area near the Suspension Bridge, and open and close the toilet blocks every day.
And in a first for 2020, they’ve been responsible for putting up all the signs advising visitors of Covid social distancing rules.
“It’s such an important space for the city. It’s never a chore coming to work, I’m really pleased to play my part in its upkeep,” concludes Ben.
You can read the Downs Management Plan and other items related to The Downs here:
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/the-downs
_________________________________________________________________

Downs Review: August 2021
The Downs Committee have published a Terms of Reference document designed to carry out a high level 'Strategic and Governance Review' and to consider a vision for the future use and management of the Downs and to review governance structures and practices to deliver that vision.
This is a significant document that crucially may lead to the Downs Committee becoming more representative in the way it conducts its business. The document details the contents of the review which includes this paragraph "Review the means by which Downs users, interest groups, and the general public can participate in the governance of the Downs, including publication of meetings documents, attendance at meetings and the right to speak and ask questions." This of course is of great interest to FOD+AG and we have already, along with other like-minded groups, indicated a willingness to collaborate with the Downs committee as it seeks to consider the longer-term stewardship of the Downs. Go to the file here (opens in a new page): Terms_of reference_august 2021.pdf.

Report from the Chair
Summer 2021
Dear members. Welcome to the summer edition of the Newsletter.
I hope that you and all your families are well and in good spirits notwithstanding the trying times imposed by the Covid -19 Pandemic.
Despite the depressingly high numbers of infections, it seems that the vaccination programme is beginning to take effect and appears to be breaking the link between infection and hospitalisation.
Your FOD+AG committee met towards the end of May and we are planning to meet again very soon. Two important items from our agenda included agreeing a strategy to get all of our many events and activities up and running again and agreeing FOD+AG’s position and the possible implications regarding future actions related to the Downs for People legal action. {Please see separate item on Downs committee business}
The Downs supervisor continues to report large numbers of visitors to the Downs and has raised concerns about [a} The vast amount of litter and rubbish left behind and the fact that it goes directly to landfill. A rethink on how Down’s waste is managed sustainably is urgently required.
You will have seen from the monthly news bulletin that FOD+AG submitted a statement to the Downs committee. The statement as usual was noted without comment. However, during the course of the meeting, I was pleased to hear the Downs supervisor and several Downs committee members mention favourably the valuable contribution made by FOD+AG.
Final paragraph of our statement submitted to Downs committee:
FOD+AG are pleased that the dispute with the Downs for People group has finally been resolved but remain disappointed that it needed a costly court case to bring it about. Time will tell if the financial burden resulting from defending the action brought by Downs for People will impact negatively on the Downs.
The Friends group would urge the Downs committee and the City Council to take a more holistic approach in the way that the Downs and Avon Gorge are managed going forward. Finance and income generation will be critical and it is our belief that the Downs and Gorge are eminently ‘marketable’ and perfectly
able to sustain itself and even make a contribution to all our public open spaces.
Large events are plainly a part of the strategy but alternative visionary initiatives should be considered. Much could be achieved without compromising the conservation status of the Downs and Gorge.
I hope you are all finding the monthly bulletin useful. It’s a way of us keeping you updated between the quarterly Newsletters. In the coming months there may be much going on and around the Downs and it is important that you the members have as much current information as we can provide.
If for some technical reason you are not receiving the e bulletin or would prefer not to receive it at all please let us know and we will do our best to rectify.
I hope that the lifting of many of the Covid restrictions will allow us all to enjoy what remains of the summer.
Stay Safe & Well
Robert Westlake
Chair

More new arrivals.

Visitors to Avon Gorge are being urged to give four young Kashmir goats that have joined an existing herd time and space to settle in.
The new billy goats have been brought into an area called the Gully to bolster the herd which plays an important role in eating invasive scrub and bramble as part of a conservation project to save the site’s rare plants and habitats.
People going to the Gorge are being encouraged to stay on the main paths, keep dogs on leads and not attempt to feed the goats. It is particularly important that people keep their distance from the goats while they get used to their new home.
The effort is part of an initiative to restore wildflower-rich grasslands in the Avon Gorge, run by the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project - a partnership of organisations including Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol Zoological Society, Natural England, University of Bristol, the Society of Merchant Venturers, the Downs Committee, the National Trust Leigh Woods and Leigh Woods - Forestry England.
The four arrivals join two original Kashmirs who have lived in the Avon Gorge since 2011 and four Bagot goats who arrived in March this year.
Bristol City Council’s Downs supervisor, Ben Skuse, said: “The new goats have settled in well with the existing herd and are already doing a fantastic job of eating the invasive scrub.
“We understand that there’s a lot of interest in the new goats but they have a vital conservation job to do, so please don’t approach them or feed them. They have plenty of natural food and if you feed them they may become sick.
“The more scrub and bramble they eat, the more space they make for rare plants like the Bristol onion and Bristol rock-cress to flourish, so we are asking any visitors to stay on the main paths throughout the Gully and not to stray up and down the steep slopes, which causes erosion and will disturb the goats and other wildlife.
“It is also important to please keep dogs on leads or preferably don’t take dogs into the enclosure at all.”
The goats have come from the Great Orme in North Wales and have been donated by Conwy County Borough Council, which manages the Great Orme.
Bristol Zoological Society staff vet, Richard Saunders, checked the new goats on arrival. He said: “The goats had a long journey but were bright-eyed and healthy.
“We checked them over and treated them for any internal and external parasites they might be carrying before they were released into a new environment.“
The herd is monitored and cared for every day by Bristol City Council’s Downs team, and at weekends by volunteers from the Friends of the Downs + Avon Gorge, with Bristol Zoo Gardens also offering additional veterinary advice and care if required.
Becky Belfin, Bristol City Council Nature Conservation Officer, said: “The Avon Gorge is an internationally-important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In fact, it’s one of the top three botanical sites in England -- home to over 30 kinds of nationally rare and scarce plants, and rare animals that depend on them.
“Most of the rare plants grow together, in a habitat known as limestone grassland. Over hundreds of years these grasslands were grazed, keeping them open and largely free from trees.
“Grazing stopped in the 1920s and, without nibbling mouths, trees and scrub began to grow, shading out most of the grassland and killing off the majority of the rare plants and the goats are playing an important role in Bristol’s commitment to tackling the ecological emergency, making a vital contribution to the Gorge’s eco-system.”
Dave Collingbourne, from Natural England, said: “The browsing of these primitive, feral goats has helped open the area up, giving rare plants a chance to thrive and spread once again.
“Unfortunately, in recent years we lost two of our original goats due to dog attacks and two to old age. So have been looking for more animals to help with progressing the good habitat restoration work and this is where our new goats come in.”
Thank you to Conwy County Council for their two images of our new Kashmir goats being leaving the Great Orme for their new home in the Avon Gorge. Also, huge thanks to Fraser Wilkinson for his images of our new goats being health-checked by the Bristol Zoo vet team and the pictures of our new goats in the Gully.

MEADOW MAKER
A New Collection by Sally Stafford
3rd – 30th July
It is estimated that 97% of Britain’s wild flower meadows have vanished since the 1930s, and the few that remain are often vulnerable, together with the numerous creatures that depend on them, such as vital pollinators, butterflies, birds and small mammals. The tireless work of conservation charities such as Plantlife has never been more important.
Beginning on National Meadows Day, Saturday July 3rd, our latest exhibition is a celebration of these beautiful habitats, expressed through the encompassing mixed media paintings of Sally Stafford, who has long drawn inspiration from the intricate balance of living colours and changing textures that define unspoilt meadows.
Meadow Maker immerses the viewer in a rare and precious world that deserves to be cherished and protected by us all.
www.cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk
info@cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk
Clifton Contemporary Art
25 Portland Street
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 4JB
0117 3179713

Urban Commons Futures: In-Common Sites
Dear All,
Do you visit The Downs? Whether you are a dog walker, a nature enthusiast, a cycling commuter or a family who enjoys time out of doors, we want to find out why Clifton and Durdham Downs are important to you. We have designed a participatory mapping project, In-Common Sites that will allow you to explore The Downs and to record your observations of its use, unique habitat and cultural value. The project will involve familiar and creative activities, from walking, observing your surroundings and taking photos to map-making, storytelling or creating a short animation. Through a series of open-ended questions and playful tasks, you will be able to share your experiences of what it means to have access to a large open green space within the city.
In-Common Sites is part of a broader research project called Wastes and Strays that explores the past, present and future of English urban commons. The project is taking place across four cities - Bristol, Brighton, Norwich and Newcastle-upon-Tyne and participants will be able to find out more about the history and current status of urban commons in these areas. We will be launching In-Common Sites on Thursday 17 June, when we will email participants the first creative task. However, you can sign up to join the project at any time up until 1 Oct 2021. There are eight creative tasks, which will be sent out one at a time every couple of weeks. Participants will complete the tasks in their own time and are asked to share their findings with us. The images, stories and observations participants contribute will be included in a set of common field guides and will help to build a picture of the value of public green spaces in our cities.
To participate, you can register by filling in the form on this link https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfh8EtMk9dkKE.../viewform or email Siobhan aturbancommonsfutures@port.ac.uk for further details.

More ‘Hairy Conservationists’ arrive in Avon Gorge

Visitors are being urged to play their part in preserving Avon Gorge’s wildlife after the arrival of four rare-breed goats boosted a conservation project to save the site’s rare plants and habitats.
Gorge users have been asked to stay on the main paths, keep their dogs under control or away from the area and avoid approaching or attempting to feed the quartet of Bagot goats that have now joined the herd in the area of the gorge known as the Gully.
Joining two older Kashmir goats already in place, the herd are making a vital contribution to the eco-system in the Gully, with their nibbling of invasive scrub and bramble allowing the opportunity for rare plants to flourish instead.
The Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project - a partnership of organisations including Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Natural England, University of Bristol, the Society of Merchant Venturers, the Downs Committee, Bristol Zoological Society, the National Trust and Forestry - are behind the initiative to restore wildflower-rich grasslands in the Avon Gorge.
The year-old Bagot goats arrived earlier this month from the Bristol-based ‘Street Goat’ project, which also runs herd conservation projects with the city council and South Gloucestershire authorities in other areas of the city.
The herd are monitored and cared for every day by Bristol City Council’s Downs team, and at weekends by volunteers from the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge, with Bristol Zoo Gardens also offering additional veterinary advice and care if required.
But the public are also being encouraged to play their part by giving the goats a wide berth to avoid erosion and damage to their habitat
Bristol City Council’s Downs supervisor, Ben Skuse, said: “The new goats have settled in very well. From the moment they arrived, they began eating the invasive scrub. The brown and white Bagots are smaller than the all-white Kashmir goats but they are only one year old so they will grow a little bigger, with their horns growing longer and thicker too.
“We understand that they look very cute but they have a vital conservation job to do, so please don’t approach them or feed them. It is also important to keep dogs on leads or preferably don’t take dogs into the enclosure at all. They have plenty of natural food and if you feed them they may become sick.
“The more scrub and bramble they eat, the more space they make for rare plants like the Bristol onion and Bristol rock-cress to flourish so we are asking any visitors to stay on the main paths throughout the Gully and not to stray up and down the steep slopes, which causes erosion and will disturb the goats and other wildlife.”
Becky Belfin, Bristol City Council Nature Conservation Officer, said: “The Avon Gorge is an internationally-important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In fact, it’s one of the top three botanical sites in England - home to over 30 kinds of nationally rare and scarce plants, and rare animals that depend on them.
“Most of the rare plants grow together, in a habitat known as limestone grassland. Over hundreds of years these grasslands were grazed, keeping them open and largely free from trees. Grazing stopped in the 1920s and without nibbling mouths trees and scrub began to grow up, shading out most of the grassland and killing of the majority of the rare plants.”
Chris Westcott, from Natural England, said: “In June 2011, our six Kashmir goats arrived from the Great Orme. The browsing of these primitive, feral goats has helped open the area up, giving rare plants like the Bristol onion and Bristol rock-cress, a chance to thrive and spread once again.
“Unfortunately, in recent years we lost two of our original goats due to dog attacks and two to old age. So have been looking for more animals to help with progressing the good habitat restoration work and this is where our new Bagot goats come in.”
Later in the year, the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project will be running guided walks so that people can find out more about the goats and the special wildlife that they are helping to protect. Details will be published on www.avongorge.org.uk and www.facebook.com/facebook.

Judge Rules in Favour of Downs Campaigners
The Downs for People group led by Susan Carter have won an out of court settlement against the Downs committee and the City Council. The Downs for People case related to a challenge against the zoo being allowed to park cars on the Downs for the next twenty years.
The outcome of the order means that the Downs committee will no longer be able to use the Downs for car parking for non-Downs events. The order was approved and signed by the Hon Mr Justice Henshaw on Wednesday 12 May.
The order permits the zoo to continue using the Ladies Mile site and the main North car park until they leave the Clifton site.
The Friends of the Downs are delighted that this saga has finally been resolved but disappointed that it needed a court case to bring about a solution. The legal costs to bring and defend the case will undoubtedly have a bearing on the Downs finances.

Chair’s Report Spring 2021
Welcome to the spring edition of the Newsletter. Hopefully we can now look forward to a spring and summer with a bit more optimism. The roll out of the vaccine offers promise of freedom from the tedium of successive lock downs. Cases still remain obstinately high but everything seems to be on track for
a return to enjoying long anticipated social activities with family and friends. Spring has sprung and although winter has its devotees there’s something to be said for spring with its new life and warmer weather.
It has been a long and hard-fought battle to bring the Covid-19 pandemic under control and the Downs has played its part in helping us all get through it. Citizens have been able to enjoy regular exercise, fresh air and relief from the mental strain of coping with the virus. Never have our public open spaces been more important to the physical and mental wellbeing of our citizens.
Numbers of winter visitors have never been so high with estimates suggesting an increase of 50% and on some fine days as high as 75%. This as you would expect has had an impact on the Downs. The Downs team have battled throughout the winter to stay on top of increased litter and rubbish left behind by inconsiderate visitors. In addition, FOD+AG volunteers have throughout the winter months removed unprecedented amounts of rubbish from some of the less accessible areas of the Downs.
In normal winters the Downs has had a chance to recover from the impact of busy summer months. The popularity of the Downs and major events do have a bearing on ground conditions. If you have walked around Circular Road recently you can’t fail to notice that the jogging trails or desire lines have become wider and wider as runners and walkers look to avoid the muddy areas and maintain safe distancing from gasping harriers. The good news is that the Downs are resilient, most damaged areas will recover naturally, other parts will need a little TLC from the Downs team.
In March FOD+AG held its first Zoom talk. Dr. Yealand Kalfayan presented to an invited audience of 95 a fascinating talk on the subject of Butterflies. The presentation was warmly received by those attending as Yealand described Butterflies both local and from farther afield and how to set about finding and photographing these
appealing insects.
FOD+AG Newsletter 2 Spring 2021
We were hoping to roll out remote meetings to the full membership but for the moment due to technical reasons we are unable to do so. Hopefully as the burden of lock-down is eased we will be able to meet again in person. My own view is that although remote meetings have allowed us to stay in contact with loved ones and for business to continue the process does little for social interaction and meetings can become stilted and somewhat subdued.
One of the key drivers from the FOD+AG Action Plan was to increase our membership. In particular to reach out to a wider audience and to a more diverse demographic. I am delighted to report that FOD+AG has been steadily growing over the past couple of years, but there is one section of the population that we are failing to attract and that is our younger citizens. If we are to grow as an organisation it is imperative that we look to redress this imbalance. It is important that the legacy of the Downs is protected and for those who follow us to recognise the part they might play in ensuring that legacy is safeguarded.
The trick is what do we need to do to make us as an organisation more appealing to a younger audience. The obvious route is social media and we are working to update and refresh all our media platforms.
One thing we could consider is creating a youth wing to bring fresh ideas and to get involved. We know young people are keen volunteers so there is a resource to tap into. We just have to find the way.
If members have ideas of their own or wish to comment on the proposal please feel free to get back to us.
The first phase of Bristol Zoos redevelopment of the Clifton site will be a planning application for the West Cark Park located in College Road. The application will include a proposal to develop the West Car Park with a 4.5 storey apartment block and 2 storey mews houses on the western part of the site, 65 dwellings in all. There will be only 45 car parking spaces but ‘plentiful cycle parking’. Whilst this proposal is not directly a concern to FOD+AG architecturally there are other obvious implications; particularly in respect of the allocated car parking provision.
FOD+AG Newsletter 3 Spring 2021
65 dwellings with only 45 parking spaces suggests there could be a problem. It is understood that the College Road site will not be eligible for the Residents Parking Scheme so where would any additional vehicles be accommodated? The obvious answer is to look to securing additional spaces near-by and that can only lead you to one conclusion, the North Car Park and this is where we would have an interest. Members will be aware that the North Car Park falls within the remit of the Downs committee who may well be encouraged to consider another lease arrangement. Any release of land for car parking will also impact on the next phase of the development, the main zoo site.
FOD+AG remains opposed to any part of the Downs being used to provide permanent car parking spaces.
You can read more about the proposal at https://bristolzoo.org.uk/latest- zoo-news/bzs-opens-consultation-on-development-of-its-west-car-park
If you have been out and about around the top of the Whiteladies Road area recently then you may well have noticed the splendid display of spring bulbs. These were the bulbs planted late last year by FOD+AG volunteers. The display ensures all year-round interest as we look forward to the summer months when the herbaceous planting scheme will be in full flower.
The Downs Committee met on March 22nd The main items from the agenda were Finance where it was reported that loss of events income due to Covid-19 has had a serious impact but the shortfall would be met from previous underspends. Next year would be critical in terms of income generation. {Please see separate item} The Downs supervisor reported vastly increased visitor numbers this winter with all the attendant problems previously described. Significant scrub clearance had been undertaken to contain encroachment and maintain open grassland habitat. The supervi- sor explained that some areas of previously mown grassland would be left unmown to improve biodiversity. The new wildflower beds at Christchurch Green would not be seeded until the Autumn. Downs football would restart for approximately six weeks without dressing room provision. Events officer reported schedule of events for 2021. {See separate item}
FOD+AG Newsletter 4 Spring 2021
Your FOD+AG committee are pleased to have been able to return to hard copy for this Newsletter, but a member has asked the question. “Why not continue with the electronic version and save the cost of printing” This is a pertinent question that needs consideration. What do you the members of FOD+AG feel about discontinuing printed versions of the Newsletter and distributing just an electronic version? Your feedback is important and will be considered by the committee.
If you would like to comment and feel that we should retain the printed version of the Newsletter or you would prefer an electronic version then please respond directly to the chair at robertjwestlake@gmail.com
I will finish much where I started with a message of hope, hope that we will all have come through this most difficult of times relatively unscathed. Hope that we will soon have had our vaccines and can enjoy all that we hold dear. Hope that just maybe, Covid will give us all a chance to reboot and remind us of the fragility of life and the need to spend our precious time more carefully.
Stay Safe & Well
Robert Westlake