'BOMBS AND BURGESSES A HISTORY OF CASTLE PARK' by historian Barb Drummond is now on sale. It describes the early history of the city and castle, of disputes between locals and the king's representatives, the importance of the region as a public space and as a centre not just for shopping, but entertainment, socialising, law enforcement and care for the poor. It was an area of immense wealth but also of grinding poverty, and some interesting local people and events are described. Most accounts describe the German bombs falling in November 1940, but are strangely silent on the role the council and their developers have played since then. The modern history is a story of repeated promises to keep the space as parkland, and for it to be free of commercial activity. It is now in its third incarnation as a public park, having been a carpark twice. It includes a good selection of historic photos and up to date images of the area, and maps.
ffi: www.freewebs.com/barbdrum
In July 2006 archaeologists fenced off the most heavily used part of Castle Park, announcing that developers were about to build on the area bounded by High St, Wine St, the riverside paths and St Peter's church. Outraged by the impending loss of such an important space, Andrew Miles began an on-line petition and Barb Drummond and several helpers began collecting signatures in the park, both opposed to any loss of green space. None of them had been involved in such a campaign before, and met to present their combined petition of 6,495 signatures including many council employees, to the city council meeting on July 27.
Informed by the council that Castle Park was the only park without a user group to help manage the park, they formed one. Although the council is meant to collect information on park use, they had no idea who used the park, or what people wanted from it. So the group devised a brief questionnaire and over 5 days obtained 547 replies, of which only 2 wanted development. Unlike the PR consultation, this was an entirely open process; people could provide us with the bare minimum information or spend time thinking up answers; some even returned to add more. Many people we spoke to were shocked at the proposals. We were often thanked for our efforts and were even treated to icecreams.
The user group also put up brief notices to keep the public informed -mindful that many people are too busy to deal with large amounts of information.
In September a walk was arranged from Temple Meads Station led by the local ramblers group to draw attention not just to the park but to its part in the city wide network of walking paths. Sustrans and other cycle groups were also invited to become involved but never replied. Given the number of pedestrian-cyclist collisions, this was disappointing. In early 2007 we managed to get signs repainted so people knew where the different paths were.
Details of walks in castle park can be found in Barb Drummond's '13 Fascinating Walks in Central Bristol' ffi www.freewebs.com/barbdrum
Many thanks to all those who helped in the long hot summer of 2006
April 2008 an update from Avril Baker Consultancy - Developers Deeley Freed have "Significantly reduced the amount of open space to be included within the proposed development and has been working up more detail about the look and character of the new buildings and spaces.
In recent months Deeley Freed has also been liasing with the City Council's parks department which is currently working with English Heritage on a conservation management plan for Castle Park and funding for many of the projects in the plan expected to be provided through the St Mary Le Port development."
Deeley Freed had planned to consult the public again in the spring, but the application to grant the area Town or Village Green status - which is of course being opposed by them - will delay this for several months at least.
ABC continues: "If Town or Village Green status is granted for Castle Park this would jeopardise any redevelopment of the St Mary le Port site by Deeley Freed and the opportunity to remove the eyesore buildings on the site would be lost. Funding for important improvements to Castle Park set to be provided through the development would also be lost as would wider benefits such as creating a vibrant new food-centred quarter which reclaims the historic heart of Bristol; improving the connections between Broadmead, the Old City and Redcliffe and enhancing the setting for St Mary le Port church."
The public has never been told what actually needs to be done to conserve features of archaeological importance on the site, nor have any suggested costings been provided.
The council and the developers continue to claim that the only way to fund improvements is to build on the park, even though the public have repeatedly made it clear that many of these improvements are not wanted or needed. At the same time, money is being offered to other parks to provide facilities without selling off any land. Given the number of huge developments in the inner city which must be paying the council for the inconvenience caused by their work, how is it that no money is available for this vital park in the midst of the city and which is already over used?
The area has been the subject of a dizzying array of plans since the early 19th century. Before the bombs fell, streets to the east were being demolished and widened. The war only accellerated the clear out of the old city. After the war, there was a unique chance to make the city its citizens deserve. But as usual, they argued and did little. Since the war, the area has been a car park twice, the last one was to pay for it to become the finest park in the country, its third incarnation as a public park.
A whole generation of Bristolians have grown up knowing the area only as a park, so that is what it should remain. Some time ago a group was being led around the site and encountered a young boy playing in the water feature whilst his parents watched him from the far end. He was having a wonderful time experimenting with spraying water about, soaking himself and showing us what he was learning. He encouraged us to walk by on the dry area of path. To those who claim the park is only used by office workers eating their lunches, they should have seen this young boy, having a wonderful time playing in a safe environment in the centre of a big city. The park needs to be saved for him and others like him.
With many more people moving into the area, Castle Park is already inadequate. We need more green space, not yet more generic shops and apartments.
Create a free website at Webs.com