Thursday, 24 March 2011

All planted up!

It looks like a real garden at last - hurrah! Shrubs are in and everything looks about a million times better than it did five months ago (even if we do say so ourselves!!) Pop along West St to Churchlands Road and check it out!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the project xx

Thursday, 17 March 2011

Top soil is in!

HURRAH! The topsoil is in! And the garden has been plotted out...all we need now are the plants! And they'll be arriving any day now. Full day of planting ahead this Sunday with a working lunch...bring your own drinks. See you bright and early :-)

Monday, 28 February 2011

Meeting minutes - Feb 27th 2011

@The White Horse
Much digging and clearing has been done and the garden is starting to really take shape. Well done to everyone!
*Malcolm has been in touch with Springwood Garden Wholesalers who have agreed to a special ‘one off’ cost price sale of plants. Rose suggests we get them to deliver.
* We know that people want to donate plants from their gardens – can they let us know asap whether they intend to donate anything and what?
* Eleanor and Stef have joined the Bedminster Wildlife Group and point out that we need to consider plants with berries etc.
* Eleanor has proposed an edible herb area and will investigate suitable plants for this.
* Andrea is working out the heights and flowering times of the plants so that the garden looks good all year round!
* We need to check how much soil the plants require as digging up the rowan tree roots has uncovered more concrete – the original yard perhaps.
* We discussed buying timber, but decided that the scaffold planks will suffice for propping up the path. We have some chippings, though need more.
* Alex spoke to a friend who is prepared to come in and put up the sign, bring in the top soil and help sort out the fence support – hurrah!
Actions:
Al to phone Graham about temporary removal of the fence. Will also make posters for garden grand opening!
John to pick up felt to line the path.
John Ginster nominated for clearing the concrete.
Eleanor to investigate edible herbs.

Street party minutes
·         Geoff has looked into options for closing street and concludes that it is too expensive and too much hassle. Would recommend using the carpark instead.
·         Geoff has put invites through doors in Churchlands, Brighton Terrace and Brighton Crescent, but only had 6 responses.
·         Rose recommends everyone brings a dish – enough for their party, but to share with everyone. Perfect!
·         We know that the church and trustees are keen to atted.
·         Party games could be good.
Actions:
Al to speak to Graham about using carpark.
Any ideas for games to Stef!

Thursday, 17 February 2011

Table Top Sale - Bedminster Feb 20th

Hey! We're running a table top sale this Sunday at the South Bristol Christian Centre...come along and run a table, or pick up a bargain!
Look forward to seeing you there!
If you'd like more info on booking a table, contact Stef on 0117 9020718

Monday, 14 February 2011

Meeting minutes

ACTION NOTES FROM MEETING SUNDAY 13 FEB
Held in the (now sold) White Horse Pub
Apologies from Stef, unavoidably detained- but had left Malcolm with a list of items. Apologies from Jon & Al.

Thank you letters to donors had been produced and distributed.

Rose reported that our new balance stood at £1047 (which was added to later in the meetingthank
you very much)

Garden matters - John G reported that the tree was to be removed pm on Mon Feb 14th. It was
to be chopped down and we would be responsible for dealing with the wood. The stump would
be left and we would attempt final removal maybe next Saturday, but worst case scenario would
mean planting around the stump. Alex had secured a more favourable quote for top soil with
compost @ £12.50 per ton. Our requirement would cost between £300 - £350. We agreed to
go with this and Alex will liaise for order and delivery when we are ready to receive it. Malcolm
reported that the SBCC Trust required their large blue sign to be reinstalled at the same location
in the Garden. We agreed this would be done using secure treated wood posts with landscaping
(probably rockery) between West St fence and sign in an attempt to minimise visual impact.

Street Party matters - Geoff had papered the immediate street area with notification asking for
a response - so far 2 but early days yet. However, there is a deadline for application so have to
follow up on this if response rate slow. Evening Post is running competition re street parties and
we need to write something if we are to enter - probably illustrated with Kathleen’s photos now
scanned by Rose (?). Could Al put something together? Agreed although a ‘sub group’ formed
by Geoff and Clare to drive this through we’d all lend a hand post Table Top sale.
Table Top Sale matters - Malcolm had several points from Stef - could Al check with Graham of
Trust that we can have use of the Church car park from 12.30pm? We have a requirement for 7
tables at the mo - there are 4 in the Church, so John G to supply 3 which he’ll leave with Geoff
and Clare ( Geoff also has spare which we’ll use if necessary). The ‘Churchlands table’ might
expand into two and Geoff will ‘man’ it. Clare will look after ‘refreshments’. Al can you chase
up Tesco for the cakes and biscuits and let Clare know what the arrangements are? Ian is in
charge of ‘sweets in a jar’ competition. Rose will provide a ‘float ‘for each of those elements on
the day. We agreed to muster about midday on the Sunday to set up.

Other matters - work party next Saturday, starting 8.30/9 to clear away and tidy prior to wood
framing along path and arrival of top soil.

Thank you to our new members ( so sorry forgot to write names down) who provided prize of a
family day out at Wookey Hole) and to the lady who gave cash donation.

Next meeting TBD after Table Top Sale.
Apologies if I’ve missed something vital.
Malcolm Brammar

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

ACTION NOTES FROM MEETING SUN 6 FEB

CHURCHLANDS COMMUNITY
ACTION NOTES FROM MEETING 6 FEB

-Apologies from Rose who had a cold: we currently have £980 in the bank account
-Stef will write ‘thank you’ letters to all donors
-Rose has requested that we agree a budget so that she has some idea in advance of what money is needced and when it will need to be spent. It was agreed that the topsoil would be circa £400, and that John G will get a price for treated wood for the path edging etc. We will then have some idea of what will be available for plants.
-£75 was given to the man who has removed the rubble - he said he would like to donate a tree with the money
-Agreed that if poss we need to persuade the SBCC to settle for a better (wooden?) sign: Ali to broach the subject
-Ali also to press for a decision on the tree, and then to contact the tree man for its removal
-Stef to contact the council re a SBCC sign to be put on the pole at the corner
-JG to get topsoil delivered (Friday?)
-James to be asked to action the bark chips
-Andrea to head up a ‘planting’ sub-group. Malcolm and Eleanor have volunteered: anyone else?
-Ali to ask Graham about the downpipe being altered so that we can have a water butt
-Malcolm has priced up compost bins
-Geoff and Claire to head up a ‘street party’ sub group: Stef offered to be involved: anyone else?
-Geoff to circulate an initial street party flyer to Churchlands and Brighton Terrace/Brighton Crescent, to gauge support or otherwise
-Stef suggested once we know we have enough funds to complete the garden, we might consider doing something about greening up the White Horse frontage

Table Top 20 Feb, 1 pm
-So far, 7 tables required
-Claire to provide a large jar and Stef to buy sweets for a ‘count the sweets’ comp
-Ali to ask Graham whether we can use the car park that day
-Stef and Kath to go into the Centre and check number of tables and arrangements for refreshments
-Ian to deliver flyers to local streets
-Geoff and Claire to take some to the local Sunday market
-Stef will take flyers to the table top sale at Bedminster Methodist Church next Saturay
-Stef to get posters into shops in North Street, West Street and East Street
-Stef will make a large banner for the front fence to be hung on the day
-Ali to find out what Tesco’s offer of ‘baked goods’ means and to arrange collection/delivery for the 20th

NEXT MEETING: SUNDAY 13 FEB, WHITE HORSE, 5 pm
**NB: until tree goes, difficult to see what else can be done on the plot itself

Friday, 28 January 2011

QUIIIIIIIIIIIIIZ!

Hurrah! And Yippee! and WOOP WOOP! The quiz was a massive success!

The White Horse was filled to the gills and teams travelled from far and wide to answer the selection of questions we posed...well done to The Late Starters...they literally did start late and still managed to score a whopping 62 points. Splendid stuff!
With the quiz entry fee, raffle and magic pound game we managed to rake in more than 300 fresh squids!

Thanks to everyone for coming along, for taking part, for telling your friends and for being so generous.
Thanks also to the White Horse too and remember to come along and support their live Jazz nights in coming months!...for more details check out their website here...
http://www.whitehorsebedminster.co.uk/

Meeting minutes 23rd Jan

Meeting 23rd Jan 2011
Thanks to all who attended, and especially to Ben Barker for finding the time to join us.
1.      Ben Barker, GBCP
Came to tell us more about how the GBCP work – many thanks!
2.      Treasurer’s report
We have raised £475 ...  
3.      Funding expected
... plus £300 promised
4.      Funding applied for and other possibles
Stef and Malcolm are working on us becoming a flower street
Quiz on Thurs night
Table top sale in Feb
5.      Budget available to spend now and in stages
Topsoil is first priority
6.      Next steps and timetable
Topsoil! Then planting up using the planting scheme we have from New Leaf.
7.      Pub quiz
All sorted
8.      Table top
Two tables booked so far...we need more...spread the word! Let Stef know if you intend to run a table yourself and whether anyone would like to run a Churchlands table.
9.      Street party
Agreed we would prefer to close the street and Geoff volunteered to organise the event.
10.  Other
Concerns that the large sign for the Christian centre will detract from the garden – could be moved or replaced?
Wonder whether we could have a waterbutt to collect rain water.
According to our volunteer tree surgeon, Jack, the rowan tree is dying – he says there are no nutrients left in the centre of the trunk as evidenced by the ease in which a saw could be pushed into it and by the fungus that is rotting at the base – he says that if the tree was strong and healthy, the fungus should be thriving. He recommends taking the tree down – we will talk to the trustees about this.

Action
Al to phone Graham Rowles to discuss sign, notice-board, the future for the tree and water-pipes and getting into the centre on Sunday 20th.
Jon W to sort photocopying posters for TT sale.
John G to contact Windmill Hill City farm about treated wood
James organising woodchip
Geoff organising street party
EVERYONE – tell friends about Table top sale on Feb 20th!
Everyone who can make it – digging each Saturday morning

Next meeting

5pm Sunday 6th Feb ... at the White Horse pub!


Saturday, 22 January 2011

Nearly there now!

Lovely bit of digging this morning - we've cleared around two thirds of the plot now. Marvellous! And Jack the tree surgeon is coming to tidy up the tree in the morning - hurrah!
We're meeting tomorrow at 5pm in the Christian Centre to discuss next steps...all welcome!

And remember it's the quiz this Thursday... prizes so far include vouchers for Mayos, a week's free membership for Workout Bristol, a lovely necklace from Glass Designs and a bottle of cava from The Southville Deli...more to follow!

Monday, 17 January 2011

Dig Phase 2!

The tarmac has gone - hurrah! It was collected last Monday and the site looks so much better already! A few of us got out there again on Saturday and starting digging down through the next layer - we're aiming for about 15cm depth all around so we can add a good heap of fresh topsoil. We'll be there again this Saturday morning...feel free to join in!

Sunday, 9 January 2011

Find us on Facebook!

Look up 'Churchlands Community' on Facebook - we now have a page that you can 'like'!

More photos ...

Rose smashes it up!

James gets busy!

Saturday, 8 January 2011

Bye Bye tarmac!

Hurrah! The big dig begain this morning at 8:30am! The pics below show the start of the day's work... more to follow soon :-)



The plot

The plot
November 2010

As it is now...

As it is now...
Before...

The entrance to Churchlands Road..

The entrance to Churchlands Road..
Watch this space...