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Messages are welcome on any subject relating to Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve; the surrounding area of St George and Crews Hole or any of Bristol's Parks and Green Spaces.


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Rob

rob@troopers-hill.org.uk BS5


Mar 29, 07 - 12:53 PM
Seating on Troopers Hill

Bristol Parks have agreed to fund seating to go alongside the wheelchair path once it is completed.
In discussions in late 2003/early 2004 when I was putting together the original Action Plan we agreed that any new seating should be of a bench type ie with no back so that it would have less visual impact. This was written into the plan.
Seating along the path was further discussed with Bristol Parks prior to the AGM and as I reported then the intention was to have benches similar to those on Troopers Hill Field and we agreed at the AGM that they should be in black, not red.
Bristol Parks are now saying that seating should be seats (with backs) rather than benches as it is a disabled path. I think a row of seats on the skyline will look terrible and the overall effect will be far too park like, but does anyone else have a view. Does the advantage of having seats with backs outweigh the spoiling of the appearance of the hill?
Please post your views here and let Bristol Parks know via bristolparks@bristol.gov.uk
Roger



Mar 30th, 2007 - 11:22 PM
Re: Seating on Troopers Hill

The overriding feature on the skyline is the chimney, from the window of the Lord Raglan the existing seat is barely noticeable and thats probably much less than half a mile away.

I don't really have a problem with seats with backs, probably much nicer to sit on.

The views from the top of the hill are more important than the views of the hill from the near distance. Either way it does not detract from the overall importance of the rest of the site.

Happy to sit on the fence/bench on this one.
Liz



Mar 31st, 2007 - 3:12 PM
Re: Seating on Troopers Hill

I can't say I'm keen on more seats with backs on the hill. You can see Phyllis' seat from the bridge at Netham and it isn't wunnerful visually (though now I know it's Phyllis's bench I think warm thoughts about the lovely people who put it there).

The path will take wheelchairs past the first seat and that already has a back, so there is a place for people to sit who need to lean on something. If all the seats have backs we're imposing our ideas that they will want to look at the view, when maybe they will want to look the other way and join in something happening on the hilltop.

Liz
Kite

BS5


Apr 3rd, 2007 - 10:37 AM
Re: Seating on Troopers Hill

I must say I object to this very strongly. As the Friends of Troooers Hill, we are very well aware of the increased maintenance reponsibility that we will face when we get the Green Flag award. To date, we have also, as a result of our own efforts and with no help from Bristol Parks, raised funds to put a total of five new benches on the Hill and surrounds - although only three now survive. All of these have been backless benches and I am not aware of any complaints but many compliments.
We are supposed to be working in conjunction with Parks Department, but I am seeing very little sign of this. Witness, WE didn't want the wheelchair path (that originally started out again as a reult of our efforts and our funds) to be no more than 1.5 metres wide - we have been overruled. WE wanted the path to be made of some sympathetic chippings or surface that would blend into the Hill with minimal impact - we have been overruled. WE wanted the benches to be of the same type we have already installed on the field (and which have met with considerable local approval), to minmise impact on the Hill and provide continuity. Now it seems that we have been overruled again.
The skyline view of the Hill is every bit as important as the rest of the Hill as it is not just the view from the top that counts.
I fail to see why the benches have to have a back. Anybody in a wheelchair will surely be just that - in a wheelchair. Any helpers that can push a wheelchair up the Hill will surely be capable of sitting on a backless bench just as well as one with a back. No doubt, someone will correct me on this!
I personally am beginning to wonder if I really want this Green Flag for Troopers Hill. Certainly it is good that BCC is finally spending some long overdue money on Troopers Hill, but we are in great danger of losing that which we all value so much. A rare bit of raw countryside with a terrific view up and down the Hill - from the top and all over - and above all, unspoilt.
Ian



Apr 12th, 2007 - 9:04 AM
Re: Seating on Troopers Hill

Kite - I have to say I agree with you. I have lived in the area all my life and the Hill has survived quite well without intervention. I haven't been in favour of most that has gone on and I am yet to see a real improvement. The path will be an eyesore, blot on the landscape or whatever you want to call it. Seats that are of more impact than those already provided will be detrimental to the location and an Archway need I say more. Surely all that needs to done is frequent litter collections and the odd bit of pruning to keep paths open? Keep it open keep it wild.


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