News from Lockleaze councillor Gill Kirk - August 2018
Summer holidays will be upon us by the time this issue comes out, and it is great to see the list of holiday clubs, summer events and activities taking place in Lockleaze,
Having had a heatwave in June and July we don’t know what weather August holds in store, but we do know there will be lots of free outdoor activities taking place every Thursday afternoon throughout the holidays in Stoke Park, supported by Friends of Stoke Park and LNT, open to all ages, (mostly open access but booking is required for a few activities: please check at the Hub) Please come along, share a picnic, join a walk or play some games with other local residents, and meet some of the friendly people who help take care of Stoke Park. There is also a wide range of new and exciting activities taking place at the Vench, (some require booking) including coding games, treasure hunts, bird box building and adventure play, as well as open access play and a family fun day on 6th August.
The big community picnic takes place on Lockleaze Open Space, on Saturday 4th August, 1-3pm, so bring a blanket/deckchair/ some food or just yourself to enjoy a relaxed and (hopefully) sunny afternoon with music and games.
Stoke Park is a much-loved space that attracts people from far and wide as well as from the Lockleaze area. But funding for our parks increasingly comes from grants from outside bodies as the council reduces its financial commitment, and this can cause tensions between their terms and what local people might prefer. At a public meeting on 4th July chaired by Cllr Tincknell residents had an opportunity to air concerns about the second phase of restoration work in Stoke Park, including how much woodland would be affected in preparation for cattle grazing. Council officers, representatives from the funders for this work, Natural England and Historic England, and the contractors Ecovigour, were present to take questions, and have agreed to work in partnership to address these concerns in time for the next phase of work which begins this September. More information will be available over the summer. We also want Stoke Park to be more accessible for those who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies, and we hope to see improvements to access points and inclusion of all-weather paths in the near future.
Alongside the housing developments planned for Lockleaze, there will be investment in sustainable transport improvements, particularly along the Muller Rd corridor. The key aims are to improve traffic flow, improve public transport infrastructure and enhance the walking and cycling environment. Some options are in early planning stages, with a full public consultation expected later this autumn.
In the meantime please let us know your priorities?
Finally, a reminder about the Unity festival in Gainsborough Square on Saturday 25th August 12-8pm. As Love Lockleaze festival takes a break this summer, some local residents have taken the lead in organising their own festival with food and music. Please come along to enjoy the day, and support our local residents doing something great for their community!
Cllr Tincknell and I continue to hold drop in advice surgeries at the Hub on the first Saturday of each month 12.30-2pm, we are also available on email at cllr.gill.kirk@bristol.gov.uk or by phone on 07736 678281