## 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: 

- May 11[th] 7pm, Cotham Church, ornithologist Keith Williams and Karen on greening. 

- 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 Pho1w￿PYirVJ.
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-