First the good news this sunny Wednesday, March 18th. We have a new sapling replacing the diseased tree that had to be removed from Laura Place last year. Do keep an eye on it folks and l wish it well.
I think it’s important in all public places where people live around enclosed areas – like the still winter-dormant fountain here at the city end of Great Pulteney Street – that people do take pride in their surroundings and keep an eye on them.
A touch of community spirit goes a long way!
At the other end of this 1100 foot long street – one of Britain’s finest formal avenues – a crowd of interested people were being shown around Sydney Gardens.
It’s part of the ‘consultation process’ B&NES has instigated ahead of finding the best way of spending £250,000 on improvements to this last remnant of a Georgian Pleasure Garden still existing in this country.
Much overheard talk of opening up points of view to the wonderful Kennet and Avon Canal that cuts through it and keeping the steps up to the park from the towpath to slow-down speedy cyclists coming off it.
I hoped the same consideration would be given to cyclists who sometimes have to negotiate their way through groups of excited dogs let off the lead and a bit of a hazard to those trying to pedal through the park.
It’s all about compromise of course but a major consideration must surely be some sort of subtle lighting to make the area more attractive at dusk during the summer nights. Solar lighting – sunk in the ground – might be something to consider.
The Holburne Museum is also keen to find a more visual way of re-connecting the complex with the park it was originally built to serve. A touch of pruning may be in store.
I have heard some people who would like to see the park keeper’s giant compost heap area returned to public space but l understand it is now the only place for dumping green waste from all the city parks?
Plus rumours of cost-savings that might leave park grass a lot longer than it is at present with paths cut through for the public. Watch out for dog mess and litter.
