What's been happening?
Be our eyes and ears and email us if you see anything of concern in Ashton Vale Fields. mail@ashtonvaleheritage.co.uk
December 09 and January 10 has seen heavy snow fall in the region and Ashton Vale became a winter wonderland, with the local school closed on Wednesday 6th January, the streets, fields and playing field turned into a wonderful playground. Snowmen appeared in every garden. There were also beautiful scenic views of the countryside and Colliters Brook.
These may be the last winter views ever to be taken in Ashton Vale and make the beautiful scene all the more poignant.
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August and September 2009.
You may have noticed the fields have been blocked off by black plastic sheeting. This is so that all the wildlife can be collected. There will be a total of 60 visits over the coming weeks, each day they are looking for snakes, newts, slow worms etc., that are being collected in white buckets and moved to a different area. All this is in anticipation of the application being agreed. The people collecting the wildlife have been friendly and willing to talk to residents, so do ask them questions when you see them.
It was not all quite so good when they were erecting the fencing when not one, two or three vehicles, unwisely drove into the sedge and got totally stuck. In fact damaging the very sedge and reeds they were there to protect.
True to form and as has been our policy since the beginning of this campaign we have remained polite and one kindly resident made the embarrassed men a pot of tea while they waited to be rescued. It it was not so tragic it would be funny!!
Great news: October 2009 A group of local people have got together to put in a Village Green Application. Residents considered this last year when news of the stadium proposal first emerged, but did not know how to go about it. Apparently they thought that as the land was privately owned that it was not possible, but since then have had advice that it is permissible.
We understand they have now put in an application for consideration as they have used the land without hindrance for such a long time and wish to continue to exercise their right to do this. We'll find out more and keep you updated on their progress.
28/10/08 - Evening Post report "Bristol city wants your view on new stadium"
23/10/08 - CJ Associates appear to be surveying field
05/09/08 - work stopped until official investigation is taken place into destruction of hedgerows and natural habitat
Early September
BCFC send in the bulldozers - check out our footage and see for yourself what happened.
Vigil for the poor old cow. In June the farmers cow fell into the ditch. Of course in the past the hedgerows were a natural barrier to the flood ditches, but the poor old girl lay overnight in the field. Found by a local resident walking with his grandchild a phone call to the farmer brought the tractor and rope and after what seemed like hours the cow was finally lifted from the ditch. She could not stand or weight bare when she was rescued and having lay for some 24 hours in the ditch, they decided to let her rest. So for the next week all the neighbours kept watch over her. It was so very hot and she lay in the field for days. Attempting to try and get up, we all held out breath only to see her back legs give out as she fell back again. After a week of watching her she was taken back to the farm where we hope she has started to recover.
Just days before some teenagers whiled away their spare time throwing stones and sticks at the defenseless cows. Oh course by he time the police arrived they had gone, only to return again the next evening, but this time caught on video, but they had still gone by the time the police arrived.
Now, the diggers are back taking soil samples and digging up the field. We wonder what will happen to the farmer once the fields he rents for his livestock are gone?
This is Bristol article about new homes plan