HKCA Annual Report from the Chair, 2023
The Newsletter commemorating 50 years of High Kingsdown is the result of an excellent team effort and contributions of photographs from a number of sources. Many thanks to Martin Smith for pulling it all together and producing such a memorable souvenir copy. We have also been very fortunate in the donation of historical photographs for the exhibition – particular thanks to Alison Murphy, and to Stephen Sheppard the barber, whose family have lived in and around St Michael’s Hill for a few generations.
Kingsdown Sports Centre In September 2021, the Council announced its decision to remove Kingsdown Sports Centre from its portfolio. At a large public meeting, considerable concern was expressed and a support group was established. During the course of the Spring and Summer of 2022, in collaboration with Raised in Bristol, HKCA put together a bid to take over the running of the Centre. Karen Sillence and Tony Allan launched a survey to establish the wider community’s priorities for the centre as a sports and community asset. Our bid, founded on the results of this survey, therefore, had a strong community focus. Whilst we knew we were probably outsiders in this contest, we believed that the Council needed to hear the community voice and hoped that they would take this into consideration when awarding the contract. The successful bidders, Elite Sports have indicated their willingness to work with HKCA and we have requested an early meeting with them.
The Green High Kingsdown/Green Cotham gardening groups established by Karen aim to make beds look attractive, colourful and appealling to everyone, while nurturing small ecosystems/ micro habitats that help wildlife, with a wide variety of flowers, leaves, berries and seeds. The gardening sessions are two hours long and run on Wednesday afternoons 2-4pm and Thursday evenings (summer time only) 6-8pm. Dates for diaries:
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May 11[th] 7pm, Cotham Church, ornithologist Keith Williams and Karen on greening.
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June 29[th] Wildlife walk by ecologist Neill Talbot
The HKCA weekly gardening/ weeding/ graffiti removal/ litter-picking group meets on Thursday mornings 10-11.30 am, starting at the playground. All welcome.
Socials. The success of the autumn brunch was thanks to excellent planning, lovely music, terrific food, impressive attendance and fabulous weather! The Christmas concert, with Colin Smith providing fantastic musical accompaniment, was enjoyed my many.
University of Bristol Community Liaison. We have been very fortunate in having Steve Smith, UoB Community Liaison Officer as a co-opted member on the committee. His support has been invaluable in educating and monitoring the behaviour and engagement of students.
Funding this year has continued to come from the Co-op, the University and from Eleventh Hours Production film company with a £2000 donation.
Website. Led by Tony Allan, a group of us, are in the process of revamping the website and our intention is to keep it as up to date as possible.
Huge thanks to the committee and to all those who have worked on behalf of HKCA and contributed to its continuing development and cohesion.
sdown unl Assoclati Accounts Accounts of 27 February 2023 111r2022 to 111 111r2021 to 31112121 11112020 to 31112120 In Donations to Commun81 Fund Donations colle¢t8d by C¢>op Donation lo Wall Fund Donation lo Green Fund Carol Singing for Charity Grants to Green Furvj Adverts for HK News Thank you to Or Nirzer Mate Th8nk you to Anthony Negus Grant from Bristol University Grant from Cr>op Income from social evonts 921.40 51.42 103.24 182.31 52.10 1(Kl.(X) 130.IJ) 250.111 2,1.57 250.L)J 191.33 2,253.03 1,202.82 3,593.20 Hir& of Room for Open Meatings Other Opon Meetin9 Costs Stationery and Pho1wPYirVJ. N8wsletter Grfts Spending on Estate Wall$ Spending on Eslate Greon Charity Expen888 Ilncludin9 Insurance} Committee Meetino Exp8nseJ Graffiti Removal Support for KSC Ccrnunty Purcha80 Social Events Donation to Julian Trust Playground Notic8 Board Bank Charges 14.39 324.13 130.Q) 217.50 58.47 129.18 128.05 1,378. 186.83 47.88 416.55 189.25 10.05 27.99 34.39 37.57 I,(m. 758.59 34.21 176.40 65.04 4,330.08 1,081.84 873.25 2.077.05 120.98 2,719.95 6.163.13 6.042.15 3,322.20 4,086.08 6,163.13 6,042.15 Represented by". Cash in Hand Bank AccoLsnt 114.39 3,971.69 4,086.08 18.79 6.144.34 6.163.13 25.86 6,016.29 6,042.15 Split into.. Communal Fund Wall Fund Green Fund 2,319.45 1.414.48 352.15 4,517.54 1.414.48 231.11 4,120.59 1,631.98 289.58 4.086.08 6,163.13 6,042.15 Martin Smith (Treasurer) F8bruary 27, 2023 Che(*ed 111r22 to 31112r22 a Signed d found ac¢xr8le Dale ia631 SA14 LL)A Qitr-