Saturday 1st August saw some 350 people attend an Open Day at Bridge Farm, which was
an amazing turnout in the current circumstances – even with the COVID-19 precautions in
place. Lots of love and support for the project was shown throughout the day. It was a warm,
colourful, joyful event, greatly enjoyed by those who attendedattendees, who were able to
explore the site for the first time – some of whom have fond memories of the pigs and horses
that used to live on Bridge Farm when Farmer Jack Withers had a working farm here, some
recalling memories from before the M32 was built. .
Bridge Farm is a now a developing community-led housing project on Glenfrome Road. The
purpose of the event was to display the current proposals to the local and wider community
and to gather feedback. The plans focus on safeguarding the heritage of the farm, while
balancing the desire for local food growing, the importance of wildlife space, with the need
for more affordable homes with a focus on creativity and sustainability.
Displays were presented outside along the cobbled road using the old barns doors as exhibition walls. This enabled
visitors to maintain social distancing while studying the designs for the site.
A dedicated 20+ team of volunteers as well as the architects and the landscape architects
were on hand to chat with visitors, answer their questions and show them around the site.
Comedian Farmer Bridges turned up presenting a historical overview of various relics found
in some of the barns to the amusement of those watching. The commitment and enthusiasm of the whole
team brought the day to life, enhanced by the encouragement and positive reactions of the
neighbours who visited.
“What a great turnout, we were busy all day! It was lovely to hear so many positive views of
the proposals, and to have so many visitors interested in becoming more involved here at
Bridge Farm. We’ll listen to all the feedback and alter our plans accordingly. Hopefully we’ll
be able to submit our planning application by the end of September” said Maggie Coles, one
of the organisers.
The community group behind Bridge Farm is the Ashley Vale Action Group (AVAG), who
successfully delivered the self-build project beside the St Werburghs City Farm. They
know the benefits that strong community and shared spaces can bring to both residents
and local people using the site. The Bridge Farm approach is very different to
conventional housing development. At its heart is community involvement, sustainability,
affordability, self-build, and lots of green space.
For those who could not attend and would like to comment, there is a web page where you
can see the plans and tell us what you think. https://bridgefarmbristol.co.uk/