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From the Newsletter- October 2004 |
ROUND AND ABOUT IN BRISTOL . . . . .
Blaise Castle Estate - regenerating our "Green Lungs"
The Heritage Lottery Fund grant for Blaise Castle Estate has provided Bristol City Council with an opportunity to address the decline of a nationally important Grade II listed landscape.
Blaise Castle Estate is an important example of the work of Humphrey Repton who was at the peak of his career when he completed his proposals for the estate in 1796. These included much Woodland work to reveal "the grandeur of the deep romantic glens".
To date the project has followed in his footsteps by carrying out woodland works along the Hazel Brook and in the woodlands on either side of the gorge. The aim has been to restore the beauty and variety of a landscape that for many years has been smothered by unchecked growth.
In addition to restoration a totally new Play Area has been completed. It stretches from near the mansion to the new much enlarged and landscaped car park and is now much used. Work yet to be completed includes the renovation of the drives, the two ponds, the Dairy Garden and Building. as well as the construction of a new Café with office accommodation for the Estate Management and Play Area supervisor
The renovation of the main drive from Henbury Hill Lodge to the Mansion created by Repton to impress visitors is virtually complete. It drops steeply into the Gorge and provides a dramatic setting for sequences in a new film "The Genius Of The Place" which tells the history of Blaise and Henbury from prehistoric times to the recent past.
The film will be launched on November 4th and is available on DVD or VHS. It has been produced by Keith Sheather and the presenter is David Garmston; it is being made for the Friends of Blaise and the Henbury Conservation Society from whom it can be ordered at a discount if ordered before November 4th. Cheques should accompany orders and the discounted price is £18 DVD or £13 VHS. After November 4th £20 DVD or £15 VHS.
Orders should be sent to:
Tim Parkinson,
The Old House, Rectory Gardens, Henbury, Bristol BS10 7AQ
timparkinson@onetel.com
Or
David Robertson,
Coombe Cottage, The Dingle, Westbury-on- Trym, Bristol BS9 2RG
dandjrobertson@btinternet.com
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