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Fire July 2010
--- Posting from our now closed Forum ---
There was a fire in the area of broom above the lower chimney on Thurs evening (8th July) - there is a photo here: http://www.troopers-hill.org.uk/sundry/Fire080710.jpg
There is no evidence that this was started deliberately - with the hill so dry at the moment it could just have been a discarded cigarette end or similar. Fires have always been a feature of the hill so there should not have been any long term damage. It will be interesting to see how the broom regenerates. We will be talking to Bristol Parks about when it is best to clear the burnt broom and bramble and whether they can do it or whether we should at one of our work parties.
A big thank you to those who called the fire service and to Avon Fire & Rescue for putting the fire out so quickly and preventing it from spreading further.
Posted by Rob, Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:11 pm
Another thank you to the Fire Service who turned out on Wednesday evening (7/7/2010) and Thursday morning to deal with a fire in the log climbing structure on Troopers Hill Field. As you can see the structure is charred but usable. Bristol Parks have been great, turning out first thing on Thursday to check the structure was safe. The wood chip has been replenished and they will be hiring specialist equipment to blast the structure with water to clear charring during this coming week.
This fire was caused maliciously. If anyone does have any information please do pass it on to the police. The email address for the Bristol East South Neighbourhood Team is ssnbristoleastnpt@avonandsomerset.police.uk. The non-emergency telephone number for our local police is 0845 456700. If you prefer to talk to Crime stoppers the number is 0800 555 111.
For any fire on Troopers Hill, after any necessary emergency action please follow this up with an email to the police Neighbourhood team ssnbristoleastnpt@avonandsomerset.police.uk to let them know about the incident. Even if you have no suspects, this could lead to increased patrols on Troopers Hill.
If the fire looks out of control, call 999 and ask for the Fire Brigade.
If the fire looks under control and there are people there associated with the fire and you do not feel you are putting yourself at any risk then please do talk to them about the risk to Troopers Hill from fires, the damage they are causing to the heath and grass land and try persuasion to cause them them to put the fire out. If you do not succeed or you are concerned for your own safety then walk away and phone the police using your judgement about whether to use the 0845 456700 number or 999.
Please put out any unattended fire if you feel capable of doing so safely or call the Fire Brigade.
Many thanks for all your help in keeping Troopers Hill a great place for everyone to enjoy.
Susan
Posted by Susan, Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:23 pm
A huge thanks to the Fire Brigade who, as always, did exactly "what it says on the tin". We are so lucky to have the Fire Brigade we do have. Brilliant!
I doubt very much if ringing the police will be at all effective. This is based on my own bitter experience of thinking we still lived in a country where we could do that.
Ringing a few schools and asking why Year 11 is let loose after the exams and whether BCC and the government could have the capitation for June and July back to pay to keep these children amused might be a better plan.
Posted by Brambly, Mon Jul 12, 2010 1:07 pm
Ah! Times change. I left school after French 'O' level Pt 2 (passed 
), on 4th July (Independance day) and started work, as a cataloguing clerk in George's Antiquarian Dept, on 14th (Bastille Day).
Before I'd officially left so to speak. (mind you that was 41 years ago!)
Posted by Jules, Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:10 pm
We had to stay on till the end of term, which is probably why I'm so bitter and twisted 
But what they do these days is deregister 'em all before the exams (even though more than 50% will be doing 6th form and going to Uni - a far cry from our day). Then when their exams are over they're free agents.
There is much less social control than when we were young. An article in today's paper says we are the most "walk on by" society. And quite frankly, why should random members of the public put themselves at risk keeping an eye on other people's children for free?
Some children, of course are much more able to cope with this than others. Some will get holiday jobs, others will go to Newquay or the Med. Which leaves those who are short of not just financial resources at a loose end. I say this isn't fair on them, on us or on society. The schools are getting paid for them, so lets have that money and ensure there are things for them to do. Other than setting the play area on fire.
Posted by Brambly, Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:36 pm
The burned area above the square chimney has had some TLC. A lot of the dead broom has been cut back as has the bramble that was invading the burnt grassland. The area is looking a lot better. Thank you to the team from Bristol Parks. I managed to take a very long distance "stalker" photo of them.
Posted by Susan, Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:08 pm
