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Friends of Troopers Hill
Past Events
2012 - 2010


Event


Photos

Sun 4th November 2012 - Fungi Foray

Fortunately the overnight rain and sleet that had turned to snow in Bath and parts of Dorset cleared away just in time for the start of the foray at 10.30, and although it was cold we even had some bursts of sunshine.

Justin Smith again led us round the Hill finding many different species in the acid grassland and heathland of the Hill. There were ten different wax caps, ranging in colour from red to pure white. There were puffballs and a rotting piece of wood had an example of jelly fungus. Under one silver birch we found brown rollrim, while another had the wonderful fly agaric.

There are also some photos on our facebook page here

Justin's report on what we found can be seen here. Links to Justin's reports from previous years can be seen here.

If you would like to learn more about fungi visit Justin's website at www.bristolfungi.org.uk.

Photos

Stepping Forward Celebration Event
20 October 2012

To celebrate the completion of the Stepping Forward Project we held an event based on Troopers Hill Field.

On a wonderful sunny October afternoon, many of those who had been involved in the Stepping Forward Project were joined by local families in Troopers Hill Field to celebrate the completion of the project. The Field waymarker, with the Community Spaces plaque, was unveiled by Sally Oldfield who as Local Nature Reserves officer played an important part in forming Friends of Troopers Hill in 2003. Sally ran Bristol's Wildspace! and Nature in the City Projects from 2002 to 2008 before moving to London. We were especially pleased that Sally came back to Bristol for this event with her partner and young son.

Following the unveiling and press photography, Martin Maudsley led a walking storytelling tour of the Woodland and the Hill, which included seeing the 'dream catchers' installed by pupils of Air Balloon Hill School the previous day. The stories included Mr Truebody, a red dragon with a gold earring called Flame and a lizard emerging from the broom on the Path of Gloom before a happy ever after ending.

Back on the Field Peter Margerum was leading a craft session making a selection of hand-held ‘Industrial’ sound/musical instruments including shakers, rattles and scrapers. The instruments were made from a combination of copper pipe and fittings, copper wire and natural wood making links to the area’s history of copper smelting.

The grant paid for two new gazebos for the event. One of these gazebos had its first outing at the Good Friday service and both were also used at the workshop for the waymarking trail (see above).

Report on the event in 'The Post' 23 October 2012

Click here for more details of the Stepping Forward Project

Photos

Video

Fun Dog Show - 14 October 2012

A wonderful sunny afternoon, and the Field had dried out well after the rain earlier in the week.

A big thank you to everyone for their support.

Friends of Troopers Hill put on this free event to say thank you to all those dog walkers who use the Hill and help keep it looking good by picking litter and reporting problems. Thank you again.

Quiz results

Photos

Avon Valley Walk - 23 September 2012

A very good turnout of 20 people on a wet day for a guided walk through the Avon Valley and along Brislington Brook. After exploring the Woodland and visiting St Anne's Well in the morning's rain, lunch at Beeses Riverside Bar & Tea Gardens was very welcome.

The rain in the afternoon was not as bad as forecast as we returned to Troopers Hill via Conham and Dundridge Park. It was good to be able to share some of the Memories of the area that we have collected and also to show the improvements paid for through our Stepping Forward Project.

Click here to see some old photos taken in the Avon Valley.

Click here to see more about the Avon Valley and the walk route.

Photos

Balloon Fiesta Weekend - August 2012

In view of the fact that the Olympics were also taking place over this weekend, we decided not to hold our usual Family Event this year.

The balloons made several flights over the weekend but the wind was in the wrong direction for us and took them away from the Hill. Fingers crossed for next year!

 

Sunday 29th July - Tai Chi

A few brave souls ventured out on a showery morning to join the Bristol School of Tai Chi on Troopers Hill Field.

The weather was not suitable for the planned demonstration, but we did manage a short introductory session sheltering under the willow tree.

Photo

Wednesday 11th July - Sunset Stroll

A tour of Troopers Hill talking about the fascinating history of the hill and the surrounding area. We were fortunate to have a sunny evening and to be able to finish the walk before a heavy shower came.

The 1926 'Britain from Above' photo that we were looking at on the walk can be seen here. You can find out more about the Hill's history and the people who used to live in the area on our History and Memories pages.

Photos

Saturday 16th June - Music on the Hill

Sadly due to the wet and windy weather this event, that was to have featured SoGYJO's return to Troopers Hill, had to be cancelled.

 

Friday 1st June - Air Balloon School Jubilee Walk

For Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 the pupils from the school (which was then on Crews Hole Road) marched up Troopers Hill and into St George Park. To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II the whole school (600 children & teachers) again walked to Troopers Hill. 60 balloons were released and the National Anthem was sung.

Everyone had a great morning!!

Photos &
Video

Sunday 20th May - Tree Gazing Walk
with Tony Titchen

A walk through Troopers Hill Woods and around the Field with tree expert Tony Titchen learning about the different trees and how they can be identified. Tony last led a walk for us in 2007 and we were pleased to be able to welcome him back.

It was particularly interesting to learn more about the species of trees that were planted on the Field in January 2011.

Funded by the Friends of Troopers Hill Education Fund

Photos

Saturday 19th May - Walking Litter Pick

As part of Bristol's Cleaner & Brighter Parks weekend we organised a walking litter pick along the River Avon Trail and through St Anne's Woods to join up with the Discover Brislington Brook Project who were litter picking at Nightingale Valley.

See the Bristol Parks Forum website for details of other 'Bristol Cleaner & Brighter Parks' events.

Photos

Sunday 14th April - Dawn Chorus with Ed Drewitt

Report and Audio Slide Show on 'This is Bristol' >>

An early morning stroll (6am start!) on the Hill with Ed Drewitt listening and looking for birds and other wildlife.

On a cloudy morning from the Field we started by going into the woods down the steps that had just been rebuilt by BTCV as part of our Stepping Forward Project. We were surrounded by bird song, with Ed using his bird song pen to help us distinguish the different songs. A wren could clearly be seen near the top of one of the silver birch trees. Moving on to the Hill we saw herons flying overhead looking for food for their young on the nests at Eastwood Farm.

Moving round the Hill we saw and heard a range of birds including meadow pipits flying high overhead on their way towards Scotland for the summer. Towards the end of the walk we had a good view of a green woodpecker that perched in a tree near the allotments. These spectacular birds are often seen feeding on ants in the grassland on the Hill.

Bird List:

Seen Overhead or flying by: Heron; Herring gull; Meadow Pipit; Goldfinch

Seen and heard: Green woodpecker, Wood pigeon, Great tit, House sparrow, wren, crow, magpie

Heard: Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Willow warbler, Blackcap, Robin, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Blue tit

Funded by the Friends of Troopers Hill Education Fund

Listen to the 2008 dawn chorus recorded on Troopers Hill >>

Photos

Sunday 8th April - Family 'Walk'shops
Waymarking the Woodland Trail

This was a chance to see Troopers Hill in a new light - with a designer's eye. These two creative 'walkshops' were to help capture the particular character of the woodland trail and inspire woodcarver Michael Henderson with ideas, for the waymarkers that are to be installed in the woodland.

The morning session focused on nature, while in the afternoon there was more about the history of the hill. Both sessions started with a brief introduction and then a walk around the trail before a chance to get creative with clay and lino cuts.

More information about the woodland waymarking >>

This work is being carried out as part of our Big Lottery Funded Stepping Forward Project.

For more details of the Stepping Forward Project visit:
www.troopers-hill.org.uk/steppingforward

The two green gazebos usd for this event were also funded through the Stepping Forward grant. A particular thank you to the Summerhill Methodist Church who very kindly loaned us their tables and chairs for this event.

Photos

Fri 6th April 2012 - Good Friday Service

Glorious sunshine for this annual service organised by local churches.

The service commenced with a Silent Procession from Summerhill Methodist Church at 11.30am. The procession maked its way to Troopers Hill, where the service started just after 12noon.

Friends of Troopers Hill were on hand to open gates and we also had a display with details of our Stepping Forward Project in a new gazebo funded by the project.

See also the St Aidan's website at
www.staidansbristol.co.uk

Photos

Saturday 4th February - Forest Club

Unfortunately, due to illness we had to cancel this Forest Club. We hope to arrange more in the future. Photos of last year's sucessful event can be seen here.

 

Thursday 8th December 2011
Slide Show and Review of 2011

We were pleased to have a good attendance on a wet and windy evening. It was great to be able to welcome some of the regular walkers from the St George Strollers as well as our regular attendees at meetings and work parties.

The show included some photos of Crews Hole in the 1950s which are not yet on our website. We also gave the latest news on our Stepping Forward Project. The slide show was enjoyed by everyone present and there was the added bonus of some of Susan's cake!

 

Sun 30th October 2011 - Fungi Foray

After a wet night it was dry and mild as a group of nearly 30 were led over Troopers Hill by local expert Justin Smith in search of fungi. Despite the dry autumn we again found a good selection of fungi that once again highlighted the importance of Troopers Hill to biodiversity in Bristol.

Report and list of fungi found >>

Links to Justin's previous reports can be seen here.

If you would like to learn more about fungi visit Justin's website at www.bristolfungi.org.uk or the North Somerset and Bristol Fungus Group website

Report on www.bristolbites.co.uk >>

Photos of other fungi found in 2011 >>

Fungi Foray funded by the Friends of Troopers Hill Education Fund.

Photos

Wed 26th & Thur 27th October 2011 - Forest Club

Thanks to a wonderful primary school teacher, Isabel, who volunteered her services for free, we were able to offer half term activities for 7-9 year olds in Troopers Hill woodland.

Full report and photographs

Sun 9th October 2011 - Family Fun Dog Show

A great turn out on a disappointingly damp October afternoon. There were lots of entries for all the classes and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. A special thank you to Lucas Vets for the judging and for donating prizes. Also to Beeses Riverside Bar & Tea Gardens whose kind donations allowed us to put on this free event.

General Show Photos

Best Halloween Dog

Fri 2nd Sept 2011 - Troopers Twilight Tour

On a warm dry evening just under 30 local residents joined us for a stroll around the hill to learn about its history from Rob Acton-Campbell.

Rob's 'Brief History of Troopers Hill' and more information is available on our Hill History page.

Photos

Sat 13th August 2011 - Family Fun Picnic

A great afternoon. After a juggling workshop with Jacky from Circomedia and lots of deer antlers, fox masks and flying buzzards being made in our craft area; International Storyteller Cassandra led some exuberant storytelling featuring some of the same creatures.

Afterwards the balloons from Ashton Court put on a fantastic display, with many of the balloons passing low over the hill.

As a taster at the beginning of the weekend a balloon had landed on the hill on Friday morning. There were more balloons on the Sunday morning while on Sunday afternoon the hill was again crowded with people watching the Red Arrows display, but unfortunately it was too windy for the balloons to fly.

Video slide show of the day >>

Craft materials for this event were purchased with a grant from the Public and Commercial Services Union.

Supported by Bristol City Council's Community Festival and Event Fund

Balloon Landing
12th Aug

Family Fun Picnic
13th Aug

Balloons
13th Aug

Balloons
14th Aug

Fri 22nd July 2011 - Purple Prowl

This was a chance to join wildlife expert Rupert Higgins to learn about the unique flora and fauna of Troopers Hill. Rupert has been involved with Troopers Hill for many years and has a great deal of knowledge about its plant life and the bugs & beasties that live here. As forecast the afternoon showers had cleared and we set out on what looked like a lovely evening for a walk around the hill. Unfortunately the Bristol weather proved that it cannot be taken for granted and after an hour or so we had some very heavy showers so only a stalwart few completed the walk.

However Rupert was able to show us some of the wonderful range of flora and fauna on the hill and explain why it is one of the most important sites in Britain for the dotted bee fly and other invertebrates.

One of the butterflies we saw was a small skipper which meant we then moved on to talking about the Essex Skipper photographed on 1st July. This is a butterfly that appears to be moving west across southern England, perhaps due to climate change.

Rupert was also able to tell us how much the heather has spread across the hill in the years since he started monitoring the site in the 1980s. Back then he was recording each small patch and there was a fear that it would disapear from the hill altogether. We know from Elizabeth Emra that the area was known for its 'purple shade of heath and yellow spots of broom' in the 1830s so the loss of this habitat, which in the past covered a much larger area, would have been a big loss to Bristol's biodiversity.

This walk was funded by the Friends of Troopers Hill Education Fund and formed part of the Wild River Festival 2011

Photos
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Sun 17th July 2011 - Tai Chi on the Hill

Due to the morning rain we had to cancel this event, we had hoped to rearrange it for later in the year but unfortunately this has not been possible. We will try again in 2012.

 

Saturday 25th June 2011 - Music on the Hill

A very enjoyable evening with music from the Gasworks Singers. There was quite a strong wind and unfortunately the forecast sunshine did not appear until just before the last song but the singers put on a great performance which included Gospel, African, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Dylan Thomas and lots more.

The Gasworks Singers, led by Dee Jarlett, are 30 enthusiastic members of the massive 160-strong Gasworks Choir, the first community choir of its kind in Bristol. The Gasworks Singers perform acappella and their diverse repertoire includes songs from different eras, continents and cultures, many of which are arranged by Dee and her co-director Ali Orbaum. They have delighted audiences at Trowbridge Village Pump Festival, Ashton Court Festival, Priddy, Larmer Tree Festival and now Troopers Hill. They have performed bi-annually at St George’s Bristol for over a decade, together with their larger sister The Gasworks Choir. At Christmas they appeared on BBC1 Points West, singing Slade’s Christmas hit!

Photos
1 to 9

Sunday 22nd May 2011 - Avon Valley Walk

A guided walk through the valleys of the Avon and the Brislington Brook on a very windy day but the showers kept away and there was some welcome bursts of sunshine. After exploring Troopers Hill Woods we walked down Lamb Hill to the river before walking through St Anne's Woods and Nighhtingale Valley. A loop around Eastwood Farm Local Nature Reserve was then followed by an excellent lunch at Beeses Riverside Bar & Tea Gardens

After lunch we then crossed on the ferry to walk up through Conham Vale to Dundridge Park and back to Troopers Hill.

Click here to see more about the Avon Valley and the walk route.

Photos
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Wed 11th May 2011 - St George Strollers Launch Walk

This first walk for the St George Strollers included St George Park and Avonview followed by refreshments at St George Labour Club.

Details of all St George Strollers past walks >>

 

Friday 22nd April 2011 - Good Friday Service

The traditional Good Friday Service on Troopers Hill is organised by Churches Together in East Bristol. The procession started from Summerhill Methodist Church at 11.30am and came to Troopers Hill via the main road, The Avenue and Malvern Rd.

Friends of Troopers Hill were pleased to help out and we also took the opportunity to talk to those attending about the work that we are proposing to improve existing steps and paths on Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve.

More information on the project can be seen at
www.troopers-hill.org.uk/steppingforward

Photos
1 to 5

Dawn Chorus Walk
Saturday 9th April 2011

A great start to a wonderfully sunny spring day as 25 of us wandered round the hill with Bristol bird expert Ed Drewitt.

There were plenty of birds singing and we were able to spot some of them in the tops of the trees. There were two views of the green woodpecker and birds we heard included chiff chaff, dunnock and black cap as well as many robins, wrens and blackbirds.

Funded by the Friends of Troopers Hill Education Fund

Listen to the 2008 dawn chorus recorded on Troopers Hill >>

Photos

Thurday 20th January 2011 - Tree Planting

On a wonderful sunny winter's day TreeBristol organised a tree planting day on Troopers Hill Field.

Friends of Troopers Hill were there to help, but most of the work was done by children from three local schools - Summerhill, Air Balloon and Two Mile Hill. As well as the trees, we also planted more daffodils on the bank sloping down to the woodland.

More details and a planting plan are on our Troopers Hill Field page.

Summerhill School

Air Balloon School

Two Mile Hill School

Video

Sunday 7th November 2010 - Fungi Foray

This was the fourth time that Justin Smith had led us round Troopers Hill in search of fungi. There was again a good turn out on a cold morning. We found a good range of different fungi - Justin's report on what we found can be seen here:

 Fungi foray report by Justin Smith - November 2010

Links to Justin's previous reports can be seen here.

If you would like to learn more about fungi visit the North Somerset and Bristol Fungus Group website

Funded by the Friends of Troopers Hill Education Fund.

Photos

Kite Making and Flying
Saturday 6th November 2010

This event was rescheduled, following rain stopping play on 3rd October.

Family Fun on Troopers Hill making kites, decorating them and then flying them - though as usual for our kite events, there was very little wind!!

This event was organised by Gynormous Rawkus as part of Playful Picnics, a series of free art workshops in parks across Bristol.

There was another on 7th November at St George Park - 'Fun with Willow'.


Supported by Bristol City Council's Community Festival and Event Fund

Photos

Family Fun Dog Show
Sunday 10th October 2010

A warm sunny afternoon for our third dog show. It was really good to see so many people and dogs enjoying themselves. There was a good entry in all the classes and stiff competition on the fun scurry. Thanks especially to Lucas Vets for the judging.

Supported by Bristol City Council's Community Festival and Event Fund

Photos

Family Fun Picnic
Saturday 14th August 2010

Unfortunately a wet morning followed by an afternoon of heavy showers meant that this event had to be cancelled. Craft materials for this event were purchased with a grant from the Public and Commercial Services Union, these will be used at a future event.

The planned event was supported by Bristol City Council's Community Festival and Event Fund.

 

Tai Chi on the Hill
Sunday 8th August 2010

Following successful events over the last two years we were pleased to have more Tai Chi on Troopers Hill Field with the Bristol School of Tai Chi.

This year saw perfect Tai Chi weather, warm but cloudy and very little wind. After a session of warm up exercises, the group split between the beginners and the more experienced members for practice of the short form. After this Ben and Sunya gave us a demonstration of more advanced moves.

Photos

Music on the Hill
Saturday 19th June 2010

On a summer evening that was much warmer than forcast some 200 people of all ages enjoyed the music from the City of Bristol Brass Band. There was a great family atmosphere.

Sitting in the sunshine, having a picnic and enjoying the views over Bristol while listening to some wonderful music - what better way to spend an evening.

Supported by Bristol City Council's Community Festival and Event Fund

Photos

Avon Valley Walk
Sunday 25th April 2010

Friends of Troopers Hill again joined with South Bristol Riverscapes Project for a guided walk through the valleys of the Avon and the Brislington Brook. The walk was fully booked and on a cloudy but warm spring morning 40 people set out from Troopers Hill. We were fortunate to be able to start the walk with a visit to the Bath house hidden in the woods on private land. You can see a video of an earlier visit on our Video Project page.

For the next section of the walk along Brislington Brook we were joined by the Brislington Community Archaeology Project and Peter Insole, Archaeology Officer for Bristol CC, who talked about some of the fascinating archaeological features along the brook.

Lunch at Beeses Riverside Bar & Tea Gardens was followed by a walk around Eastwood Farm Local Nature Reserve and we then crossed on the ferry to walk up through Conham Vale to Dundridge Park and back to Troopers Hill.

Click here to see more about the Avon Valley and the walk route.

Photos

Dawn Chorus Walk
Saturday 10th April 2010

Twenty local people of all ages from 15 months upwards got up for a 6.30am start on a wonderful spring morning for a walk led by Bristol bird expert Ed Drewitt.

In the early morning sunshine the hill was alive with bird song and with few leaves on the trees we were able to see as well as hear many of them. Birds included willow warblers, robins, wrens, blackbirds, great tits, black caps, chiffchaffs and many others. As Ed reports on his blog 'additionally, a pair of chaffinches were displaying and had it not been for us coming along, almost mating!!'. Towards the end of the walk we had a wonderful view of one of the resident green woodpeckers while two herons flew over.

This event was supported by Bristol City Council's Community Festival and Event Fund

Listen to the 2008 dawn chorus recorded on Troopers Hill >>

Photos

Good Friday Service
Friday 2nd April 2010

Due to heavy rain, this year's traditional Good Friday Service organised by Churches Together in East Central Bristol had to be held in Summerhill Methodist Church rather than on Troopers Hill.

 

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Friends of Troopers Hill
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www.troopers-hill.org.uk