FRA Reports 2020

Frenchay Residents Association Reports 2020

FRA Contacts:
Adrian Collins, Chair, email: [email protected]
Ronnie Barber, President, email: [email protected]

Report No 73 - December 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

As I write this December article we are a week into the second lockdown and probably feeling uncertain about how and when we may safely emerge from this situation. Please remember that for you and anyone you know who might need assistance, the FRA task force is available to help those needing to stay safe in isolation.

Open Air Carol Service
Tony Joiner organised a meeting recently between all relevant parties to determine whether it was possible to consider an open air Carol Service for the village, as has been done for the last two years around Becks Pool. The conclusion was that, if this were possible closer to Christmas, the event would be considered in a carefully controlled way on the common opposite the church on Monday 21 December starting at 6.30pm. This would use a robust ‘track and trace’ registration system, with carefully controlled and roped off areas to allow proper social distancing. The current rules would have to change significantly to enable such an event, but we will keep everyone informed once we know the next steps in early December.

Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity Group
Under the leadership of Neil Falango, this group have now formulated a detailed plan and vision of what can be achieved for the village. This includes the new ‘Frenchay Parklands’ coming to the parish from the former hospital site. The detailed plan will be presented to Winterbourne Parish Council for support and to ensure that Frenchay Parklands have an integrated management plan to respond to South Gloucestershire Council’s climate emergency declaration.

The clear objectives of the plan are to enhance and protect the local green areas for the benefit of wildlife and general biodiversity, to provide connectivity between protected areas where ecosystems can recover and flourish for the wider benefit of all, including community interaction, education and well-being.

Here, from the detailed report, is a summary of the main priorities the group feel should be considered (for example) in the voluntary village green space south of Lime Tree Avenue.

Implementation of the Pegasus Landscape and Ecology Maintenance Plan ( LEMP) on the basis of low intervention and soft touch management with particular emphasis on:

Southern boundary wildlife corridor – enhance and protect as safe habitat
Minimal “formative” tree pruning
Spring bulb planting programme for “woodland margins”
Wildflower meadow creation in long grass areas as defined in LEMP
Creation of hibernacula, log piles, nest boxes and the like
LTA meaningful spring bulb planting programme, including memorial influenced concepts

One of the group, Sarah Beetham, has put together this appeal about wild flowers on Frenchay Common.
“When I was a child Frenchay Common used to be full of flowers” If this is also your memory can you help Sarah? Apparently the common was full of flowers before it was levelled and reseeded in the 1950’s/60’s and she would love to know what was growing there naturally on the very thin soil. Maybe you made a pressed flower collection, or worked for a Brownie or Guide wild flower badge?
Sarah would also be interested to hear your flora and fauna memories about other areas of Frenchay, please respond through FRA so we can pass this information to Sarah. Thank you.

Speed Watch
Risk assessments have now been carried out by Ian Potter together with the local police in two key locations. During these site assessments it became very clear just how many motorists were travelling at speeds significantly over the limits. This backs up the case for action. Ian now has a trained group of volunteers ready for monitoring speeds when permission has been given for this to start. One or two additional locations in the village are also being considered. Many thanks to Ian and his team for their perseverance in getting this programme going for the safety of our residents.

Despite these very challenging times, we hope that everyone has an enjoyable Christmas and can enjoy some time together with families and loved ones. We also wish everyone better times in 2021.

Stay safe and well everyone and thank you for your continuing support.

Adrian Collins,
Chair, FRA

Report No. 72 - November 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

Well 2020 is a year that will be hard to forget, looking back to this time last year as we were preparing for our public AGM in the Village Hall I am glad that we had no idea of what 2020 would be like. Having said all of that, there is no doubt that the close collaboration of so many groups in Frenchay has helped us to prepare for unexpected needs when Covid-19 changed our lives.

FRA were able to form a lockdown support group for residents, with the help of those who volunteered to join our rapid reaction team. Thank you so much to everyone involved, the group is still very much ready to go into action as needs dictate, although I hope we will not be required. However, you know where we are if you need help because of having to isolate.

Since we, obviously, cannot hold a public AGM this year here is a summary of FRA work in progress, we have not been idle thanks to the power of Zoom meetings and plenty of sunny weather to get out and about.

I am so grateful to our twelve dedicated committee members and those who have joined us for specific projects, either directly or through our skills bank list. Please make contact if you want to join us.

Lime Tree Avenue and Voluntary Village Green
The vista and layout is now much improved with the removal of the hoardings, followed by some rapid landscaping, which has meant that new grass in now taking root on the Redrow estate side of the LTA.
We have probably been the beneficiaries of a rapid increase in demand for housing and the marketing of these properties due to stamp duty savings until 31 March, which coincided with a Redrow Directors ‘red carpet’ visit to see how nicely it had all been finished.

The properties and their parking now being further back from the LTA enhances the appearance. The nice new green space around the mature trees at the north end looks very good now, so some of the feedback and pressures to improve this area have worked. We are very grateful to Parish Councillor Charlie Watkins for his determination in helping us see this through, there is still much work to be done before this space comes into Parish ownership.

One of the marketing signs alongside LTA says ‘Luxury Homes Overlooking Beautiful Open Space’. We are so glad Redrow also love our voluntary village green!

Old School Building
We welcome the positive news about the new school buildings going ahead for opening in 2022. The following message was sent to parents, staff and governors on Friday 25th September:

“The Council is pleased to announce that the project to rebuild Frenchay CE Primary School on its new site has been kick-started once again. The scheme was previously on hold as consequence of the lockdown when contractors were unable to commit to cost certainty or a definitive date for completion.

The Council is delighted that the scheme is underway and parents/carers, children and residents may be reassured to hear that it is planned that the new building will be ready in time for the new academic year 2022/23. This timescale reflects that the Council has taken the opportunity in the past few months to review and enhance the design in line with net zero carbon design standards.

Following this work, it is planned that alterations will be made to the original planning application for the new school building and this will be submitted for approval before the end of this year. These alterations will help to further reduce the running costs of the school and will positively contribute to the Council’s Climate Emergency declaration and 2030 carbon neutral target.

The Council remains committed to delivering what is an exciting new school building for the local Frenchay community, which is an essential part of promoting community cohesion and supports the Council’s number one priority to raise school standards.”

FRA has been working behind the scenes over the past three months, in liaison with the Diocese of Bristol, SGC and the school governors, to promote an alternative approach to the provision of the Early Years Education facility (nursery school) in the vicinity of the new school, now that the former Observation Ward premises have been sold for housing development.

FRA’s proposal is now subject to detailed consultation with legal advisers with a view to developing the new nursery school in tandem with the new school, buildings. Subject to details still to be consulted on, the intention is to generate extra revenue from a range of community facilities alongside the nursery school to enable the whole scheme to be financially self- sustaining. Watch this space for further news in due course!

The GP Survey responses have been very helpful and enabled us to provide Councillor James Griffiths with very relevant feedback on the need for GP facilities in Frenchay, which is being followed up by him. We will keep on the case in the hope that we can gain some improvements. We will also getting feedback from the new Frenchay Park residents, as they have moved into Frenchay with expectations of better facilities in this and other areas, like a local shop and café.

A Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity Group of volunteers has now been set up under Neil Falango’s expert guidance, to start to think about how to enhance and develop the new Frenchay Park Lands once they come into Parish ownership. This is in close partnership with FPS, which is covered more in Hugh Whatley’s FPS AGM update.

Becks Pool has continued to flourish and less traffic because of lockdown has led to a noticeable increase in wildlife in and around the pond. The platform being built by Tony Joiner is being well used and will be enhanced with oak planks soon. The pond team have also had a pledge from Wessex Water for a grant of £500 towards a powered aeration system to help keep the water healthy and oxygenated. The task in hand is to secure a power supply with metering so that this can be installed at a reasonable cost.

Frenchay Traffic is a constant problem and the topic we get the most feedback on. The speedwatch campaign is close to a reality thanks to an intervention from Paul Kembrey as Chair of WPC and the infamous ‘build-outs’ will be removed and replaced with speed tables similar to Begbrook Park, subject to SGC Covid delays. More on traffic is covered in Paul’s Parish Council report in this edition.

We have had no further news on the Frenchay to Downend one way scheme consultation from SGC and are pressing our Councillors Ben Burton and James Griffiths for an update.

FOOD Clubs, Bristol – (Food On Our Doorstep) have been running in Bristol since July 2019 in conjunction with Family Action, Feeding Bristol, Fareshare South West and Bristol Early Years. The FOOD Club model started in Manchester and was brought to Bristol as a response to concerns about the high level of food insecurity for families with young children and also the alarming amount of good quality food which goes to waste.

A link has been established between the Frenchay Allotment growers and some local home gardeners, for their surplus produce to be used in the work of this charity. Surplus produce can be taken to The Children’s Centre, Frenchay Road between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm each Wednesday, for distribution amongst the 15 Food Clubs across Bristol. Contact Lucy Hudd, Family and Community Locality Manager, East Bristol Children’s Centre Tel: 0117 3532899 / 3773189 / 3534276 for further information. See also: www.family-action.org.uk

Thank you to the New Life Church group, as a socially distanced team early last month they collected three black bin bags of rubbish from the common, cleaned the signs around Frenchay (even washing down the bollards along Beckspool Road), cleaned out by hand and fixed the drains around the village hall (new drain covers and concreting in broken mounting plates) and weeded and tidied up the village hall gardens.

At such a strange time we are happy as a team to concentrate upon what needs doing in Frenchay’s best interests, so we do not propose making any changes to our committee until we can resume more normal public activity and engagement. In the meantime our energy and hard work will focus upon how we support the community.

Stay safe and well everyone and thank you for your continuing support.
Adrian Collins
Chair, FRA

Report No. 71 - October 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

We hope this article finds everyone well as we prepare for those shorter days and long dark nights, it is going to be a strange end to a year we will never forget.

Although it was widely covered in the article by our two SG Councillors James Griffiths and Ben Burton in the September FCN copy, we would like to add the thanks of FRA to Councillor Jon Hunt, who has had to stand down after nine years’ service. Jon was always very supportive and helpful, especially when dealing with the protection of Lime Tree Avenue on the old hospital site.
We wish Jon all the best for the future and hope that our paths cross again. We know that in James and Ben we have continued support until next May when elections can be held for Jon’s replacement and we have offered our time and expertise to help them ensure that matters relating to Frenchay go forwards.

Old School Building
Although it could be two years before the new primary school opens on the old hospital site, the use of the old school buildings for the community is one of our major preoccupations at present, with lots of work going on behind the scenes to preserve and secure this facility.

With the considerable expertise and experience that we have on our FRA team, we are now much further ahead in talking to the relevant stakeholders about how the old school building might be used, in the future, for pre-school facilities and the community. This would be as an alternative to the old Observation Ward, which had been earmarked for such use, but was then sold for residential development. The funds raised from that sale have to be earmarked for early years education facilities in Frenchay for our growing population.

We have presented a detailed ‘FRA vision’ report to the Diocese and SGC, which has been well received and supported by both parties. We will keep everyone posted as this important project progresses.

Lime Tree Avenue
A lot of work is now underway on the Redrow development side of the avenue, including the removal of hoardings as the houses on that phase are built. We know that any supervision of this work by the planning authority around the trees will be minimal, so we are monitoring and raising issues to try and protect the lime trees as much as possible.

There is fencing around the trees with signs saying ‘tree protection’, but it is the contractors doing the work respecting the root protection zones that we are more concerned with and monitoring. What goes on inside those fences has to respect the tree protection procedures required by the planners, a sign means nothing if those requirements are not adhered too!

Fly Tipping by CLIC Cottage
Late August we had two probably connected incidents of fly tipping by CLIC Cottage, the first one by the cottage gates was removed by Charlie Dobson, who owns CLIC Cottage. This costs £200 to get rid of legally, so we are very grateful to Charlie for his action.

Two weeks later a larger dump was made on the night of 27th August, but from all of the rubbish it has been possible to identify the culprits as a fast food outlet being refitted in Bristol. The owners probably were unaware that their builders had done this with their rubbish.

Many thanks to James Woodward, who tracked down and went to take photos of the premises where the refit bearing the same name as the signage dumped was taking place. So all of the evidence has now been submitted to SGC, so that they can prosecute the culprits. If anyone has any further evidence of a van or truck in the vicinity the night of the offence please contact me.

This is a fantastic example of how action by residents can help us keep Frenchay a wonderful village.

New Resident’s packs
The stamp duty reductions until the end of March 2021 have got the housing market moving again and Redrow are busy again trying to keep up with demand. As a consequence FRA have distributed over 20 packs to new residents in Frenchay Park this last month. Please ask for a pack if you know of anyone moving into the village, as these are not just for the new houses, but are designed to welcome any new residents to Frenchay.

Frenchay Traffic
In our September issue we summarised the concerns everyone has about traffic speeds in and around Frenchay, it is clear from the feedback we have received from many residents that this is becoming a major problem over the common and on Bristol Road in particular. It is also clear from many reports, in addition to our own observations, that drivers of all ages are speeding and behaving very impatiently. Unfortunately this type of anti-social behaviour is not just confined to Frenchay and seems to be a growing problem in many areas.

We still have commitment from SGC to replace the ‘build outs’ over the common as we did before the lockdown, in addition to many more signs and interactive speed warning screens, such as the one on the common going towards the village hall.
Although we were benefitting from a greater number of police patrols and motorists being stopped on Bristol Road around May/June, these patrols seem to have stopped and there is now very little traffic speed enforcement taking place. This is key to any number of signs and traffic calming measures actually working as intended.

FRA is vigorously pursuing, with the help of Paul Kembrey as Chair of WPC, getting the long awaited residents speed watch schemes underway with police back up. This is just about to restart in Winterbourne, so hopefully our FRA team of trained volunteers can get into action very soon.

Stay safe and well everyone and thank you for your continuing support.

Adrian Collins
Chair, FRA

Report No. 70 - September 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

We hope that everyone continues to stay safe and well, the sunflower growing craze that started in April has resulted in some wonderful displays and sunflowers all over the village. When this project was started in Malmains Drive and Riverwood we were in deepest lockdown, now the brilliant yellow flowers are signs of hope as we battle to overcome such a strange and difficult year. 2020 will be long in the memory for many reasons, let’s hope we can successfully go into 2021 with some normality returning to our lives.

With less rushing about a lot of us have had more thinking time and all got to know each other in the village a lot better, for the benefit of our community. It is encouraging to see and hear about local residents who are helping to look after our beautiful environment by picking up litter when walking around, especially as our open spaces are now being used so much more for picnics and family gatherings. Lockdown has certainly made us use these open spaces more.

It is especially hopeful for the future that some parents are not just teaching their children about the need to protect the environment but, by their actions, are demonstrating this as a part of their way of life. It is likely that most of us, who have been doing our bit to protect wildlife and the environment, first learned this as children by attending Scouts and Guides, or through school projects in our locality.

FRA aims to be part of the solution to our local challenges in Frenchay and whilst we identify issues needing action, we also try to be constructive by offering ways to tackle them. We applaud everyone who shares our vision of taking responsibility where we can and looking after everyone and everything around us in “Frenchay’s best interests.”

How has Lockdown Affected Our Children?
The following is a heartfelt summary from a proud grandparent of how lockdown and the events of 2020 have affected his grandchildren, something as parents and grandparents we all feel deeply concerned about.

the eldest is halfway (in theory) through a 2 year GCSE course, with very little idea what awaits him next summer, after some very disrupted teaching in 2020.
the middle one has left Frenchay Primary School without the usual summer term leaving traditions and is still waiting for final details of the first term at senior school.
the youngest will now miss out on a last year of primary education at the 'new' school in the old hospital grounds because it has been delayed (again) by Covid-19.

Our children and grandchildren are our future, we should not damage their formative years any more than has already been the case due to the circumstances we have been faced with in 2020. We cannot change what has occurred, but we can influence and change what happens next.

So we appeal in no uncertain terms to our SGC Councillors and SGC Education Officers/Directors to ensure that we have no further delays to the promised new Frenchay Primary School and that they support us in implementing suitable early years facilities after the old hospital observation ward was sold off last year.

Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity in Frenchay
Thank you to the group of people who have come forward to get this initiative off the ground, we now have five residents wanting to progress this plan to benefit our environment. There is room for more, so please come forward if you wish to join in. We also need ideas on locations and schemes to consider, so please contact any of us on the FRA Committee with your thoughts and suggestions.

We also continue to carry out the work to enhance Beckspool, subject to ‘social distancing’ and other precautions to enable our volunteers to continue this vital work. Thank you to the team involved on this wonderful project.

Frenchay GP Surgery Survey
The excellent article by Barbara Harris on page 4 of Downend Voice publication for August, has reminded us of all the promises made regarding the healthcare facilities planned adjacent to the BIRU buildings on the old Frenchay Hospital site. This article highlights just how little has been delivered since the proposal was approved in conjunction with the Southmead Hospital project back in March 2005.

The steady trickle of responses to our own GP facilities survey have now just about stopped and we are putting together a final summary report to be presented to our SG Councillor James Griffiths, who has promised to follow this up on our behalf.

Based upon the responses so far, we have been able to determine that currently:

more than half of those responding to our survey are aged over 55
over a third of those households responding have no more than two adults living there
over 90% of those responding see a GP on their visits to their current surgery
over 70% also see a practice nurse, highlighting the need for more than just satellite GP facilities.
over 40% have difficulty getting to their current practice
over 90% travel by car and less than 10% by bus. This reflects the lack of adequate bus routes and the difficulty in getting to bus stops. The length of journey time by bus (often in poor weather) when someone is not well enough to undertake that task also makes a significant difference to how they can best travel to their surgery.
over 80% of those responding would change to a local GP practice in Frenchay if available.

We thank you all for your contributions towards this important project. We hope that a growing Frenchay population, as the new Redrow houses become occupied, can be considered more seriously for what is desperately needed. It is clear that this, like so many other vital amenities, are just not being considered enough for Frenchay.

Frenchay Traffic
Excessive and dangerous traffic speeds on Bristol Road have become a source of concern by many residents, especially those now living on that side of Frenchay Park. We are supporting requests for investigations into more traffic calming measures and consideration of how the very narrow footpath can be made safer, it is not designed for social distancing and feels unsafe so close to vehicles traveling well in excess of 30mph.

It is also clear that many people and school children use the grass inside the low wall to walk along to feel safer, especially during wet weather when the road edges are often flooded. This route has just become more difficult due to a new boundary fence and hawthorn bushes being planted at the end of the Redrow new housing estate. FRA will continue to ask SGC to consider solutions for these problems and we would welcome your views on this particular issue.

As with other areas in Frenchay already benefiting from recent traffic calming measures, it seems that unless we have the support of police enforcement, many drivers will continue just ignoring those very necessary speed restrictions.

FRA is also pursuing, with the help of Paul Kembrey as chair of WPC, getting the long awaited residents speed watch schemes underway with police back up. Volunteers have already been trained and just await the opportunity to get into action.

Stay safe and well everyone and thank you for your continuing support.

Adrian Collins,
Chair, FRA

Report No. 69 - August 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

Thank you to everyone involved in helping us and Edna Cause to ensure that FCN was distributed for July: thankfully we had more volunteers than we needed. Particular thanks go to Lorraine Smith and her children Ella and Joshua, who did the Frenchay Park distribution as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

The response from recipients makes you realise just how important this magazine is to our residents. We also hope that someone will come forward to help maintain the Community web site if they have two or three hours a month to spare.

Frenchay Traffic and Cleeve Wood Road
We understand that the Cleeve Wood Road traffic survey feedback, together with several similar initiatives in South Glos, are being considered as SGC now review traffic, cycling and pedestrian provision in light of the changes we have seen due to the COVID-19 virus. We understand that the projects finally selected will then go to full public consultation, we will keep residents updated.

We are also pleased to see that requests for additional traffic speed warnings have been met, and that a flashing speed indicator sign has been installed as you travel from CLIC Cottage junction towards the Unitarian Chapel. Police also continue to monitor this and traffic generally, with speeding motorists being stopped on Beckspool Road and other roads on our patch. Ultimately, lots of speed control signs can only work when backed up by good enforcement.

For some time now, Ian Potter has been trying to gain support from the police to provide local speed watch facilities which are run by volunteers on roads where speeding is a problem. With help from SGC traffic officers we are now pursuing this vigorously which will be well received by the many volunteers who have been waiting far too long to get this opportunity. It has worked well on the neighbouring Winterbourne roads, so hopefully we can deliver such an initiative in the not too distant future.

Although there is now less traffic due to lockdown and commuters changing their working habits, speeding cars seem to be more obvious and irresponsible based upon our observations and feedback from residents.

Becks Pool
With people enjoying their walks around Frenchay even more during lockdown, I’m sure that many of you have noticed the wild flower area next to the pond, just by the small parking area off Beckspool Road. This has been marked out so that it is not mown and the recent rain has led to many of the new plants flowering to reveal their location.

The pond team, led by Tony Joiner and Neil Falango, have been successful in securing a grant towards installing a suitable aerator to keep the pond water oxygenated. We are currently looking at the logistics and costs of installing a suitable power supply. Tony has also been instrumental in installing a suitable ‘platform’ enabling easier access to the water’s edge as safely as possible. There is still much to be done to complete the job to Tony’s high standards but the work is now well under way.

Further developments to come will see information boards about the history and significance of Beckspool and guidance on the wildlife habitats together with clear instructions on what to feed the ducks. Bread is one of the worst things to feed them; the currently temporary signs which show what is best to offer them will soon be replaced with permanent information boards that are currently being prepared.

Thank you to the very dedicated volunteer team for your constant work to enhance this wonderful village asset.

FRA COVID-19 Support Group
We continue to receive requests for assistance from residents who need to self-isolate, so thank you again to the volunteer team. It has been a very successful team effort and we will continue to keep this support in place in case things change in the future. Many beneficiaries are now able to return carefully to tasks like supermarket shopping, we are just glad that the FRA support team has been able to make a difference when it counts.

It is also brilliant to see so many bright yellow sunflowers around the village, it seems a long time ago that many of us planted those, hoping for a brighter summer and autumn ahead. These flowers now signify the brighter future we were all hoping would come one day during the most difficult phase of lockdown.

Stay safe and well everyone and thank you for your continuing support.

Adrian Collins,
(Chair, FRA

Report No. 68 - July 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

We are glad to be back in circulation with FCN and hope that you are all well and coping with the massive change to our lives over the last three months. Going forwards, I think dealing with this will be very much part of our everyday lives. I hope, ultimately, there will be positive changes to come from this experience.

I cannot thank enough the FRA Committee and enlisted volunteers who have helped lots of residents in the village over the last three months. There is still a danger that we think things are back to normal whilst many still need assistance in isolating, so please remember that our volunteer team are still here to help you. We also work very closely with Kate Davison and the Church telephone support team, who have done a fantastic job keeping in touch with Parishioners.

Our task in supporting residents has been made easier by the many examples of friends and neighbours helping each other and forming contact groups with the help of technology and good old fashioned common sense. There have been countless acts of kindness and generosity, we really are a very strong community. Thank you everyone.

Frenchay Traffic and Cleeve Wood Road
A reminder that the Beckspool Road 20mph scheme has been implemented, we have many reports of motorists still racing across the common and we have asked for extra signage after seeing the scheme in place and getting your feedback. More importantly, the police are now doing speed checks to enforce this.

Thank you for the great response to the Cleeve Wood Road traffic question, your responses together with plenty more information gathered over the last 5 years, has been provided to our SG Councillor Jon Hunt who requested the quick survey that we facilitated.

Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity in Frenchay
At some stage in the future the Parish will be responsible for all of the new green space on the old hospital site, in addition to the existing village and its flora and fauna. Frenchay Preservation Society and FRA are keen to develop the ‘Friends of Frenchay’ organisation so that we can apply for outside grants and assistance so that we are not reliant upon SGC resources. Page Park in Staple Hill and King George V playing fields in Downend are great examples of such projects.

We have a fantastic opportunity to create and realise a ‘vision’ to enhance our biodiversity in Frenchay, as highlighted by recent events. FRA also see this as a chance for younger generations and families in Frenchay to share their thoughts with us, there is a practical educational project out there for many keen youngsters and we would love schools to get involved.

I am also aware, from many conversations around the village, that a lot of you have expertise and knowledge that would help us to form a proper village biodiversity plan. So please respond to this appeal with your thoughts and ideas, the superb work on Beckspool pond proves that there is so much to be gained on working together to enhance our environment. We look forward to hearing from you and I will circulate this through our other communication channels, like FRA Facebook. Thank you in anticipation.

Nursery School Provision
FRA are working hard behind the scenes to develop this opportunity in collaboration with stakeholders and our local SG Councillor Ben Burton. Delays to the new school development create more time for a proper feasibility study to be put forward, giving our thoughts on the potential uses for the old school buildings.

Ever since the old Observation Ward was sold for private development, a lot of positive discussion has centered on rectifying the loss of that solution. If this alternative idea can work for all parties we may end up with a much better solution ultimately, which could benefit the whole community.

Frenchay GP Surgery Survey

April, when we started this survey seems like a long time ago now, how different our lives are today! Thank you to everyone who responded to this survey, we had just over 200 household responses, 123 of which were done through our online survey. The collated findings will now be presented to our SG Councillor James Griffiths, who has promised to follow this up on our behalf.
We will keep residents updated on this campaign.

Stay safe and well everyone and thank you for your continuing support.

Adrian Collins
Chair - FRA

Report No. 66 - March 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

Protecting Our Trees

It was very encouraging to read in the February issue of FCN, in the piece from our Local Councillors, that SGC are very keen to have trees preserved and planted with the target of doubling the tree cover in South Glos by 2030. With so much development, plus the ravages of Ash Dieback likely to reduce our tree population in South Glos by a predicted 20%, urgent action is now needed.

We understand that strenuous efforts are being made to preserve as many trees as possible in and around the new Redrow development, but this has only come about because FRA have been reporting every breach and lack of proper tree preservation protocols being observed.

In one neighbouring Council area, a developer has been forced to plant the same weight in trees as a very substantial tree that was destroyed without express permission. Councils can also fine offending developers up to £20,000 for serious breaches of tree preservation orders.

To our knowledge, SGC have not made such punitive enforcements, but they might be compelled to as a way of achieving their target. Preservation must be even more important with so many threats to our trees, so let’s hope please that words become deeds.

Frenchay Traffic Issues

We understand that the Beckspool Road 20mph scheme will be implemented the week commencing 6th April and will lead to temporary road closures during that week for a maximum of five days.

The Hambrook junction experiment and widespread dissatisfaction with the traffic problems it has caused at peak times is now receiving extensive publicity, especially from the new Metrobus service which has been severely affected. We still do not have a date for the promised public consultation but understand this is still planned very soon.

Voluntary Village Green

A small group of us, led by our local bulb planting enthusiast Neil Falango, have been planting snowdrop and bluebell bulbs along the grass banks alongside the Lime Tree Avenue pathway. Thank you to the volunteers who have helped us. There is much more to do for next season and beyond. Redrow are supposed to be doing this too as part of their S106 remit.

A major problem with the task has been the very poor quality of the topsoil used either side of the path.
It’s hard to call this topsoil, it’s a mixture of low grade sieved clay and many other non-soil components which sinks about 10cm as soon as you stand on it. This is yet another item added to our vast snagging list, where SGC are also trying to get everything done properly as originally specified in the S106 agreement.

It’s a real shame that this is a constant battle to get what was promised at the outset as it detracts from some of the great work done that has been done for the village, like the new play area and tennis courts.

Planning Applications

Where we think that they affect Frenchay’s best interests we will highlight planning applications, so that those of you who wish to, can express your views in the ‘comment’ sections which SGC takes a lot of notice of. These will seldom be applications from individuals, but most often, will relate to the Voluntary Village Green developments connected to the Old Hospital site, or anything affecting other green spaces and amenities around the village that we wish to bring to your attention.

Collective or grouped comments count as single ones, so different individual comments carry the most weight. We would ask that your responses are based upon your own personal views but, if you need more information on the applications highlighted, please contact any of the FRA committee.

Thank you for your continuing support.
Adrian Collins
Chair - FRA

Report No. 65 - February 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

In our January report I outlined some of the major projects that we are moving forwards, so here is an update on some of those at the time of going to press.

Frenchay Traffic Issues
Please remember that the closing date for the consultation on the Hambrook Junction traffic flow experiment is 11th February, here is the link to the information and survey if you have not completed this already; https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/PT.6296_Hambrook_E.T.O/consultationHome. At the moment we still await a venue and date as promised from our SG Councillors for the public consultation in Frenchay, we will continue to remind them!

We understand that the Beckspool Road 20mph scheme will be implemented soon and following an internal review of the ‘build outs’ we are optimistic now that changes can be made in the not too distant future.

Frenchay School Nursery Provision
Our Councillor Ben Burton is assisting us in finding suitable alternative premises after the old hospital observation ward, adjacent to the proposed new school site, was sold for residential development earlier last year. As Ben stated at the November FPS AGM, the new proposals would look at using the old school premises, which would give us much more space for educational and community social use. Rest assured we will do everything within our powers to make this happen with support from you all.

Voluntary Village Green
We will not have the detail at the time this is published, but Hugh Whatley, Charlie Watkins and I, as Frenchay Parish Councillors, have a meeting with SGC officials on 21 January to finalise a ‘snagging list’ of all outstanding and remedial S106 works that need to be done by Redrow before the Parish adopts the land and takes responsibility for it. Any works not completed or done properly will be documented and enforced. Tthanks again to Charlie for undertaking this immense task on behalf of us all.

Once the Parish takes over this land from NHBT, FPS and FRA will determine how this can be enhanced and used, along the lines of the Staple Hill Page Park project that obtained grants not available to councils.

GP Provision for Frenchay
Our local Councillor James Griffiths has offered to help in determining what the existing and new residents of Frenchay will need. James was impressed with the survey that we sampled with some of you at the FRA and FPS AGM’s towards the end of last year. We will now finalise and send this questionnaire to all village residents for completion, so that we have accurate data to be considered by SGC with James’s support.

Becks Pool Carols
Thank you to everyone involved in making this such a wonderful community evening to celebrate Christmas together, the event raised £318.85 in total from food/refreshment sales and donations, thank you. This goes a long way towards covering the costs of the pond maintenance each year including our insurances.

FRA Subscriptions and Donations
Thank you very much indeed to all residents that have continued to pay subscriptions or make donations to FRA to help cover our running costs, this is very much appreciated. At our AGM we suggested £5 per household each year. This is not prescriptive, but it does ensure that our committee of volunteers are able to get things like printing done without incurring personal expense. Your support is very much appreciated. Payments can be given to any of the FRA Committee in person or paid online as follows;
FRA bank account, Nat West Bishopston Branch Sort Code 60-02-38, account 68387148.

I am very conscious that we issue many words every month as FRA, but actions are taking longer to come to fruition as we keep plugging away on so many fronts. Rest assured, now that all stakeholders are working so closely together for Frenchay’s best interests, further tangible successes will come in 2020.

Best wishes to you all and thank you for your continuing support.

Adrian Collins
Chair - FRA

Report No. 64 - Joint Message from FRA and FPS, January 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

Happy New Year to you all.

Working Together in 2020
The challenges faced by the village in 2019 have in turn thrown up an immense number of opportunities for all of the groups seeking to preserve and protect our wonderful village, its heritage and rich history. Consequently, we thought it appropriate to convey a joint message from Frenchay Residents Association (FRA) and Frenchay Preservation Society (FPS) about some of the exciting opportunities that we will be taking up on your behalf in 2020, which will need your support.

Someone recently asked us to define the difference between FRA and FPS. Our thoughts are that FRA is trying to help form the future of our village, whilst FPS is trying to preserve and enhance the past. It is far more complex than that based upon so many aspects of work that we do, but maybe a title ‘Friends of Frenchay’ summarises what we are here to do in Frenchay’s best interests.

At the recent AGM meeting of FPS it was proposed and agreed to form a ‘friends group’ after presentations from guest speakers about the award-winning work at Page Park in Staple Hill funded by grants not available to councils. One of the group’s aims will be to enhance the care and maintenance of the old hospital lands being transferred to Winterbourne Parish Council (e.g. the voluntary village green) which will become known as ‘Frenchay Parkland’.

So as part of our theme for 2020, we now want to involve more young families and children in what we are doing. With so many ecological issues being widely publicised, we have lots of educational events to help adults and children alike understand far more about our local ecology and what we can achieve together. This includes looking at alternative solutions for the new school nursery provision and getting a community hub up and running as part of that project. The loss of the old hospital site observation ward gives us this opportunity, so that loss could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

We also have an immense amount of work to see through with the S106 obligations and to make sure that the work is done properly as originally specified in the planning approval. This is being led by Charlie Watkins, one of our Parish Councilors, who is now taking the lead with SGC in compiling the ‘snagging’ list of work to be done and work still to be done properly to the right specification and standard. We are very grateful to Charlie for all of his hard work in taking up this massive task. We only have one opportunity to ensure that this is all done correctly to the right standards.

Thanks are also due to Paul Kembery who, having stepped down from the chair of FPS, is still hard at work facilitating various meetings and discussions with SGC in order to promote and develop better communications. The immediate targets are to resolve various issues concerning traffic surveys, 20 mph speed limits and the infamous ‘build-outs’ across the common.

Becks Pool Carols
Thank you to the residents and everyone involved in making this such a wonderful community evening to celebrate Christmas together, it was fantastic to see so many residents enjoying each other’s company. Many thanks to everyone involved in making this such a success.

Wishing you all a very Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2020,
Adrian Collins (Chair - FRA) and Hugh Whatley (Chair - FPS).