Deep Litter Clearances

Please find below a couple of photographs from our final deep litter clearance of this season, on Saturday 15 March. As you can see the event was highly successful, but we would all prefer it if people enjoying the Downs would please take their litter away with them when the leave. We stop our deep litter work now to avoid disturbing nesting birds and breeding small mammals, but do keep an eye on our events page for details of when we re-start. We are a friendly group who would love to see new volunteers. All necessary equipment is provided.
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A couple of shots from the dead-hedging team. Good work.
Late January 2025
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Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project spring events 2025.
There several new and returning Spring events from our friends Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project
Go to our Events page: www.friendsofthedowns.org/events.html for more details or the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife project website for further details and booking.
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Previous newsletter (Autumn 2024) is free to download here
Looks like a job well done... The deep litter clean on the Downs 4th Jaunary 2025. A good turn out too!
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT JANUARY 2025

Another year has come and gone and many of the problems that
beset the Downs in 2024 look to continue as the new year stretches ahead of us. However, we must remain optimistic that this year maybring solutions to some of those problems. The City council and the Downs Committee need to redouble their collective effort and tackle the major issues like roadside vehicle dwelling and disregard for the Downs byelaws.
December 2024 saw the month start with red storm warnings for
Wales and the South-West. Red is the most serious weather warning the Met Office can issue, meaning dangerous weather is expected and people were urged to take action to keep themselves and others safe. Storm Darragh certainly made its presence felt, battering the Downs, and the wider area. Thankfully, in terms of damage we seemed to have got off lightly.Our AGM took place in December and as obliged by our constitution the committee stood down. Most volunteered to
stand again. In addition, we welcome Ian Witham to our ranks. The Treasurer presented a financial update, and the accounts
were accepted by members. (Please note that Membership Rates
have changed see p.30) The Chair gave members a brief review of the past year, detailed some of the highlights and successes and some of the difficulties that may be faced in 2025. Display panels of FOD+AG related activities showcased the work of the organisation. The evening was rounded off by a fascinating talk given by the Avon Gorge & Downs Biodiversity Engagement and Learning Manager.

Despite many problems still to resolve I remain optimistic that 2025 may be a pivotal moment in time when the Downs moves forward into a new and more secure future. FOD+AG will continue to work with the Downs Business Development Manager as he seeks to generate sufficient income to help sustain the Downs in the future. Please remember that your views count and may influence the Downs Committee decisions that will need to be made in 2025. If you have concerns about some of the proposals, let us know so we can provide feedback. At the first Downs Committee meeting of 2025 the Downs Advisory Panel {DAP} will present its regular report. One item in the report may
be a recommendation that the Downs Committee consider a
temporary closure of Ladies Mile. The Committee already have a longer-term aspiration to close Circular Road to through traffic. The Ladies Mile Road proposal could see a trial closure, for example, over the Easter weekend. This could be linked to a wider trial weekend where security personnel are reintroduced to the Downs to combat blatant byelaw infringements. Maybe, even an event of some sort to offset any associated costs.
I am often asked about FOD+AG's position regarding the old Zoo
north car park and whether we support the Downs Committee proposal to develop the site as a pay and display facility. We have been clear from the start that our preference would have been for the creation of an attractive linear park, or a rewilding of the site. However, on balance and being pragmatic we decided to support the project, providing reassurances about the legality of the proposal were met. In the past few months, we have received several reports of intimidatory behaviour from some of the roadside vehicle dwelling community. It is important that all instances of unacceptable or aggressive responses are reported to your local representatives, or where appropriate to the Police.
2025 looks like being another busy year, but FOD+AG remains up for the challenge and commits to representing your interests with those responsible for managing the Downs. Finally let me take this opportunity to wish all members a Happy New Year.

Robert Westlake
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
OCTOBER 2024
The weather this summer has been somewhat indifferent with many wet days keeping us indoors or obliged to take a coat and brolly to combat the elements. The ever changing weather patterns are what makes the UK such an interesting and pleasant place to live. Now we have the spectacular Autumn to enjoy. This is the season of crisp air, falling leaves and woolly scarves. A truly magical time of year as the leaves turn from green to fiery gold and orange. Walking up the Promenade in Autumn is like walking through a painting.
The Downs remain extremely busy, joggers, footballers, Nordic walkers, and the organised boot camps ensure that the Downs are used to capacity. I am pleased to report that FOD+AG continues to grow, membership is still increasing steadily and our influence as a credible organisation increases year on year. Many new activities and regular volunteer projects have been undertaken. Your committee continues to work hard to ensure all our obligations are met. The FOD+AG led Downs Advisory Panel (DAP) continues to evolve which means we have direct access to the Downs Committee who continue to engage with us and the DAP reports and recommendations are a feature of every Downs Committee meeting. The last few years I have been reporting on the Downs finances which continue to run in deficit and are a significant concern. Nationally and locally the mantra tends to be more cuts. The Downs Committee are obliged to try and present a balanced budget and can expect no additional help from Council coffers. This was what prompted the recruitment of the Downs Business Development Manager whose task is to look at all possible sources of income generation in the hope that increased revenue may offset any critical cuts to the Downs. This has in part manifested itself in back to back concerts, a proposal to operate the North (old Zoo) car park as a pay and display facility and a double visit of Funderworld. In the coming months the Downs Committee will make commercial decisions that may have a significant impact on the Downs. I am sure many members would just like the Downs left alone and to thrive as Bristol’s jewel in the crown. Unfortunately, it seems the current financial situation precludes that option. It may well be that proposals to generate income will not sit comfortably with us all. The Downs Committee have the unenviable task of facing further budget cuts or raising funds by 'marketing' the Downs. FOD+AG will continue to keep a watching brief. Don't forget we are always open to suggestions about how best to fund the Downs going forward.
In December we will once again be assembling at the Redland Bowls Club to hold our AGM. All members are welcome. the bar will be open and coffee and mince pies will be available. If you are concerned about the Downs please come along and share your thoughts. We will be electing a committee, provide an update on our finances and our guest speaker this year will be Anna Stevens. Anna fronts the Education team based at the Zoo and I can promise a fascinating talk about the work Anna and her team undertake. As we head into winter and despite the gloomy financial status I remain optimistic that the Downs will remain as a valued asset to the whole city with FOD+AG members playing their part in ensuring that the Downs continues to provide such a fantastic landscape. Finally dear members and on behalf of the FOD+AG committee a big thank you for your continued support.

Robert Westlake, Chair
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FROM THE FOD+AG COMMITTEE.
Over many years FOD+AG has tended to take a benevolent stance towards van and caravan dwellers around the Downs. This position was mostly based on live and let live for some of our citizens who may have found themselves homeless or those who had chosen an alternative life-style. The Downs are huge and half a dozen camper vans could be reasonably accommodated.
The Downs Committee have taken the view that this is really a Highways problem and does not impact directly on the Downs. This is no longer the case, Downs users are being impacted and neighbours lives blighted. FOD+AG has in recent weeks consulted with and taken soundings from regular users of the Downs, neighbours of the Downs, and even City Council officials. We have recorded incidents of regular users feeling intimidated in certain areas, that areas have become no- go areas, litter bins near campsites needing emptying twice a day, evidence of human excrement, exposed gas bottles, damage to grass verges, physical threats, all quite apart from contravening current parking regulations.
FOD+AG’s view now is that this an escalating problem that potentially will get worse if not resolved. FOD+AG will continue to press for action by all those with responsibility for the upkeep and good
Website: www.friendsofthedowns.org Instagram: Friends_of_the_Downs Facebook: @fodagbristol
Website: www.friendsofthedowns.org
Instagram: Friends_of_the_Downs
Facebook: @fodagbristol
governance of the Downs.
The Committee