Ref | Idea | Comments |
1 | Stone Circle | This idea appeared in or August 2004 Newsletter. It was thought that large stones (of the sort you often see used to prevent access to sites) could be placed in a semi-circle near the top of the hill to provide largely vandal proof seating.
Unfortunately the large stones you see around Bristol are limestone and it did not seem appropriate to use this on Troopers Hill which is unique for its pennant sandstone. We have not yet been able to find a source of suitable sandstone in large enough blocks. |
2 | Excavate Engine House | The square chimney at the corner of Troopers Hill Road and Crews Hole Road was once part of an engine house for Troopers Hill Colliery. It is possible that the foundations of the engine house are still intact under the present footpath, though further research is needed into how it was used after the colliery closed.
This would be a major project, the footpath would need diverting and large quantities of fill would need to be removed. It would not be worth pursuing unless we can find more information on the later use of the building.
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3 | Laminated Walk Sheet
In Progress |
We are working on a sheet describing a circular walk including both Troopers Hill and Dundridge Park. It will describe the wildlife you are likely to see and explain some of the history of the sites. As an alternative this might become part of a small booklet with several walks.
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4 | Dog Show | This has featured as an idea for an event from some of the very first Friends meetings. Although we have some helpful contacts it proved impossible last year to find a date when everyone was available. We hope to be able to run a show this year.
We need some dog owners to come forward to help with the organisation, please contact us if you can help.
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5 | Webcam | It has been suggested that a webcam image could be added to this website so that visitors to the site could see the way the hill changes with the seasons and how the appearance changes during the day.
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6 | Open-Air Concert
Held
1st July 2006 | Many people said they would like an open-air concert, perhaps a brass band. This would be an evening event with the opportunity for a picnic before hand.
We listened to what you said and held a very sucessful joint event with Art at St Aidans. We hope to hold a similar event in 2007.
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7 | Site Leaflet
Complete | A set of three leaflets were produced as part of our 2006/7 Big Lottery funded Breathing Places project- low resolution copies can be seen here.
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8 | River Avon Duck Race | A fund raising event to also raise awareness of the hill. This could be a joint event with other local groups.
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9 | Terracing for a Formal Park
Rejected | This idea was printed in a local newspaper in 1938.
Troopers Hill is now appreciated for its rugged appearance and its wildlife. As a designated Local Nature Reserve it is protected from development and should remain as a unique haven from city life for the foreseeable future.
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10 | Weekday Work Parties | We are aware that many people who would like to help with our work on the hill cannot attend the work parties on Saturdays. If there was enough interest it would be possible to arrange weekday work parties, either during the day or on evenings during the summer.
Please contact us if you are interested and especially if you would be willing to act as Work Party Leader
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11 | Re-introduce Grayling Butterfly
Further research required | There was great discussion about this at our meetings in March and May 2005.
The argument against re-introduction was based on advice from ecologists that highlighted the absence of sufficient knowledge to gauge whether such a project could succeed. The argument for centred on the ability to proceed with the project on a “try it and see what happens” basis.
The consensus was a decision to devote effort to monitoring the insects (including rare bees) that currently inhabit the LNR, with a view to researching a possible grayling re-introduction in the longer term.
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12 | Second-hand book sales
Discontinued | For a few months we collected second-hand books and sold them through the Book Barn in Brislington and eBay. Although £40 was raised this was mostly through one lucky find. There is no market for the majority of books and so we were left with a large stock we couldn't sell. We have therefore discontinued this scheme.
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13 | Extend the LNR | There is no clear boundary between Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve and the adjacent Crews Hole Woodland. In view of the importance of the woodland to wildlife in the area, the idea is to extend the area designated as an LNR to include all of the woodland. If this was done it might be possible to get grants to improve paths in the woodland and to more actively manage it. The increased size of the LNR might also be a benefit in raising money. The extension would also give an excellent publicity opportunity.
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14 | Shakespeare on the Hill | The dramatic landscape on Troopers Hill would make an excellent backdrop to an open air Shakespeare play.
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15 | Ideas Page on Website
Done | This idea was suggested by our Chair, Susan and here it is!
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16 | Wheelchair Access Path
Complete | This is something we have wanted to achieve from very early in the group's existence and included in the first Action Plan. We were awarded funding for the path by YANSEC early in 2006 and Bristol Parks completed the path in April 2007 as can be seen here.
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