the Southville Centre

Patchwork Community Garden Project

 

Who we are and what we do

We are a group of around 15 local residents who are working to tidy up neglected patches of land in Bedminster and Southville, with the aim of making our neighbourhood more attractive to residents and wildlife.  We are part of the Sustainable Southville Project, based at the Southville Centre.

 

Since 2003 we have identified and worked on eight patches.  We have cleared them of rubbish and undergrowth, and planted them with trees, shrubs and flowers.  We have added art works and benches on some of the sites.

 

We encourage residents living nearby each patch to become involved and to take responsibility for maintaining the sites, and we hold monthly maintenance sessions to tend the patches as necessary.

 

During the summer we meet on the last Thursday of the month, starting at 6.30pm at the Southville Centre.  During the winter we meet on Saturday mornings as required – details will be posted on our blog.

 

The patches

1.  Dean Lane Community Garden

We cleared this patch of rubbish in 2003, we added topsoil and we planted 30 young trees and bushes.  In subsequent years we have planted bulbs, installed a bench and added a mosaic designed and assembled by local schoolchildren.  Maintenance work includes pruning, weeding and removal of plastic bags and beer cans. 

Dean Lane in 2010

 

 
Dean Lane in 2003

2.  Holledge Gardens Wildlife Triangle

In 2004 we removed piles of rubbish from this site, cut back some of the dense growth of nettles and brambles, installed a low boundary wall and added a mosaic signboard.  We decided to maintain the patch for wildlife when we discovered that frogs and hedgehogs live there.  We have also erected bird boxes in a sycamore tree on the site and planted bluebells. 

 

3.  South Street Patch

We cleared brambles, rubbish and builders’ waste from this patch in January 2008.  We spread a mulch on the ground, planted shrubs and painted the boundary railings.  In the autumn of 2008 we planted 3 fruit trees, several fruit bushes and spring bulbs.

 

South street in 2008

 

 

South street in 2010

 

4.  Cherry Tree Gardens

A patch on Whitehouse Lane, which we improved in 2005 with the help of local schoolchildren and maintained until 2008.  It is now maintained by the City Council.

 

5.  Cooperage Lane Copse

A small patch of land on Beauley Road, which we cleaned up and maintained from 2004 to 2008 when the private owner took over responsibility for it.

 

6.  Stackpool Road Home Zone

A new home zone was installed outside Southville School in 2006.  We help to maintain the gardens that were included in the design.

 

7.  Clifton Street

 

We cleared this Council owned patch of land and planted shrubs and bulbs in November 2010.  It is being maintained by local residents and the owner of the adjacent business.

 

8. Community Orchard

 

With the help of a grant from the Better Bedminster Community Chest we took on a new project in March 2011: planting a community orchard. This piece of land, on Upper Sydney Street (off North Street) is owned by the Council. On a beautiful sunny day over 30 volunteers planted 15 fruit trees, bulbs and soft fruit.

 

 

Further information

 

FFI please contact Laura Murgatroyd

c/o The Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Southville, Bristol BS3 1QG.

Our blog: http://bedminsterpatchwork.tumblr.com
E-mail: bemmiepatchwork@gmail.com
 

We welcome new volunteers.  And we are happy to consider taking on more patches in Bedminster and Southville – provided people living nearby are prepared to assist in their clearance, development and maintenance.