Welcome to MALAGO VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP

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WHO ARE WE?

MALAGO VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP is a voluntary group with members from all parts of south-west Bristol. We have no staff or premises and operate on members' subscriptions (just £4 per year), with occasional grant aid for specific projects.

We cover south-west Bristol - Bedminster Down, Bishopsworth, Hartcliffe, Headley Park, Highridge, Withywood - roughly, the BS13 postal area.

We started as a campaign for a Bishopsworth and Malago Conservation Area. Our report was praised by the City Council for its quality and, following public consultation in summer 1998, the conservation area was declared in October 1998.

WHAT DO WE DO?

• We monitor the Planning Applications Register and comment on schemes which affect our area.

• We work with the City Council to improve our open spaces and trees and with the Environment Agency to clean up our streams.

• We comment on other planning matters, such as road schemes and the Bristol Local Plan.

• We run regular litter clearances to help keep our neighbourhood tidy, including an annual 'amphibious garbage raid' on the Malago.

• We work with local schools to promote children's awareness of their environment.

• We have an extensive programme of talks and visits which are open to our members and the general public.

• We publish a regular newsletter every quarter to let people know what is happening in our area.

• We work actively with other groups and agencies in BS13.

PAST AND PRESENT PROJECTS

• We have prepared an enhancement plan for 'Elm Tree corner' - the area around the junction of Church Road/Highridge Road/Queens Road - and have planted trees and daffodils.

• We have published My Manor Woods Book, an interactive guide book describing the value and attractions of the Manor Woods open space, which is available at Bishopsworth Library and direct from M.V.C.G.

• We were actively involved in the consultation which led to the new entrance feature at the Vale Lane end of the Malago Greenway through Manor Woods. Our design was the basis for what was built

• We have instigated the setting up of Tree Preservation Orders in a number of sites.

• We 'turn cans into daffodils' throughout BS13 by collecting drinks cans for recycling. The aluminium ones are sold and the money is used to buy daffodil bulbs which we plant on open spaces.

• We have repaired the broken arm of the historic fingerpost at the junction of Church Road and Grange Road.

• We helped Highridge Infant School to buy an attractive litter bin (in the shape of a frog) to encourage the children to dispose of litter thoughtfully. We have also helped with planting in the school grounds

• We liaise with the City Council over the grass cutting regime in Manor Woods and at Highridge Common (which areas should be left long for wildflowers) and help them to monitor its correct implementation.

• We are actively involved with the 'MaPhIA' - the Malago and Pigeonhouse Improvement Alliance - to make the streams in BS13 better for wildlife and for people.

• We are working with the City Council on an improvement plan for Manor Woods and we have put up owl boxes in Manor Woods to encourage the tawny owls which are known to be there.

We have good links with other amenity and community groups in the area such as the Bedminster Down and Uplands Society, Friends of Hartcliffe Millennium Green, Hartcliffe Health and Environment Action Group, Highridge Forum and Withywood Community Forum. We have very strong links with the Malago Society (the local history society for south-west Bristol) and the University of Withywood and we co-operate with Bristol Civic Society.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?

If you agree with our aims, please think about joining. You don't have to get involved if you don't want to - but if you do, it's fun and very educational! The more people who join, the stronger our voice in fighting to improve our bit of Bristol. To join us, e-mail or ring the contact below ...

For more information about Malago Valley Conservation Group,

ring (0117) 964 3106 or e-mail us at info@mvcg.org.uk