Ian Baker provided this write-up on a recent joint meeting with other local organisations:
SEEKING COMMON GROUND
A small joint meeting was held with Friends of St Andrews Park, The Bishopston Society and Sustainable Bishopston on 8 March to discuss scenarios relevant to ‘Whether Sustainability?’.
Friends of St Andrew’s Park (www.friendsofstandrewspark.ning.com) are of two years standing and seek to encourage reasonable and bountiful use of this Victorian facility. The park caters for residents of all ages and its popularity affords a variety of recreation marred by some recklessness.
The Bishopston Society (www.bishopstonsociety.org.uk) was founded in 2002 and maintains and improves the character, amenities and architecture of the area.
Sustainable Bishopston (www.sustainablebishopston.org.uk) was formed in 2007 with concerns for energy use and efficiency, recycling and use of resources, biodiversity and environmental conditions. It seeks to raise public awareness for these issues and to offer support to residents.
The combined group discussed briefly three scenarios:
It is likely that Bishopston will experience in the future heatwaves and intermittent droughts or heavy storms affecting the wellbeing of our gardens and parks and buildings. Which protective measures should be considered?
Tree replacement and maintenance for cooling effects, front/back gardens which absorb rainwater, water butts on drain pipes, raised beds for cultivation, green roofs for water absortion and sensitive responses from the Parks Dept were practical ideas to emerge.
As fuel becomes more expensive, the local retail trade of the Gloucester Road will become more of a prize to Bishopston and other residents. How might amenities and services improve further for both customers and retailers?
There was much enthusiasm for home/allotment growing of food. More local food and less food miles are imperatives for retailers. Change of ownership from Somerfield to The Co-operative Society may introduce more environmentally sensitive goods. The Gloucester Road Alternative Bag (GRAB) campaign had secured good change of use and looks to capture more local retailers with loyalty cards. Improvements for waste reduction and recycling facilities are needed. Too great an expansion of bars and entertainment outlets may l increase noise and anti-social behaviour. Residents and traders bear the brunt of pollution from traffic as shopping and refreshment conflict with use of this trunk road. More public transport, cycling and walking will increase gradually, as will the advent of electric cars.
Energy and other resources need to be preserved for the benefit of children and their future offspring. But constraint by older people now may reduce their own quality of living. How can better adjustments be made for buildings, transport, leisure and other conveniences?
The elegant Victorian houses of the area present difficulties for heat conservation and energy efficiency. Insulation to lofts and floors go someway, but further insulation to external or internal walls conflicts with aesthetic features. Individual or communal renewable energy generation could become worthwhile investments. Use of club car schemes, shared vehicle use and public transport will improve mobility for those unable to cycle or walk easily. St.Andrew’s Park offers recreation for all ages and local community groups facilitate for an increasing variety of entertainment and reflection.
Even more ideas for sustainability were thrown up in this lively discussion. The next challenge is to turn some or all of these ideas into action. Each group can now reflect on how it may help its members and residents. The Bishopston Society will convene the next joint meeting, later in the year.
Watch for The Bishopston Society’s next public meeting on 22 March in St Michael’s Church and a walk tour with a Friend of St Andrew’s in South Bishopston on 16 June.
