|
|
Cuttings from the Newsletter- July 2004 |
ROUND AND ABOUT IN BRISTOL . . . . .
Brief story of the Light House at Barton Hill Settlement
Barton Hill Settlement (established in 1911) is situated in the inner city part of East Bristol and is a
multi purpose community resource centre, providing a range of services for local residents, both on
the main Settlement site and from a variety of locations within the area.
We have recently added a much needed new building with funding from Community at Heart, a local regeneration scheme. The building was named The Light House to convey the dual notion of being light as well as enlightenment and was opened in September of 2003. It is a stunning modern building that catches the eye of everyone who enters Barton Hill via Ducie Road.
The Settlement worked with Dominic Eaton, an architect from Stride Treglown for many years, who
had a great understanding of our requirements. This had an impact on the design as, amongst other
things, he spotted the need to create areas in the building where people taking part in different
activities could sit and talk to each other on a casual basis.
The Light House also provides accommodation for two of Barton Hill Settlement's four core projects, the Workshop (adult education and computer suites) and the Family Playcentre (multiple services for under 3s and their families). The extra space in the building allowed us to nearly double the amount of adult education offered and add a neighbourhood nursery for the children of working and training parents to the Family Playcentre.
It is important that the Settlement's four core projects work together so that local residents can
select the activities that best suit them. Having all the projects based on one site helps this and
nearby buildings house the Neighbourhood Centre and Volunteer for Change.
The Light House adds to the mixture of very different styles of buildings, many people commenting
that it brings an almost Mediterranean feel to the site. Numbers of people using the buildings have
increased from 1400 a week to 2000 since opening the Light House. It makes a positive and bold
statement about Barton Hill and this is seen as critical for the regeneration of the area.
We feel proud and fortunate to have this building and hope that it is well used for the next hundred
years.
Joanna Holmes
Senior Manager
Barton Hill Settlement
Reading the River
This is a project to tell the fascinating stories of the River Avon Trail. The Forest of Avon has received a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to provide 15 high quality interpretive information panels, a website and a guide book.
Formerly known as the Avon Walkway, the 28-mile long River Avon Trail runs from Pill in North Somerset to Pultney Bridge in Bath. Now the organisers need your local knowledge, old photos, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia to identify and celebrate the heritage and natural environment of the diverse landscape that make up the terrain of the River Avon Trail.
If you can contribute in any way, or wish to contact the organisers, please email
info@riveravontrail.org.uk or telephone 0117 953 2141
