Our journey starts in the corner of Queen Square where preparations are in place for the Refugees Welcome rally held by Stand Up to Racism Bristol. What a lovely spot.

Accross the city centre on College Green, very different preparations are being made for a counter rally by the far-right South West Infidels. Police have been drafted in from Wales, Devon and Cornwall.

Next to the fountains, a crowd of about 100 anti-fascists begin to gather. A man in a skirt recites poetry over some drum and bass, as you do at these sorts of occasions.

The crowd dish out their mission statement.

And The South West Infidels have their own counter message on Facebook:

The ranks swell by the fountains and banners are unfurled, including this one. Fitting, as Nigel Farage also happens to be in Bristol today at a Vote Leave rally at The Grand Hotel.

Meanwhile, in another part of town…

The start of the World Naked Bike Ride, currently winding around the centre of Bristol: pic.twitter.com/yaWjQ7GdUE

— Bristol24/7 (@bristol247) June 4, 2016 

Over on the corner of Queen Square, the Refugees Welcome rally gets underway.

The rally starts its march which has been carefully coordinated by police so as not to clash with any counter demonstrations. It’s all so very peaceful.

The first of the #BristolDemos starts, “Refugees are welcome here”, sounds around King St, #Bristol. pic.twitter.com/zAMyFJi0XN

— Andy Howard (@AndyLHoward) June 4, 2016

Down Hotwell Road at the Mardyke pub, a small group of about 15 anti-immigration protesters – some from the Southwest Infidels and some alleging to be from the EDL – are gathering.

Among them is none other than former mayoral candidate Stoney Garnet in his trademark red fedora. Well I never.

The group finish their pints and head down to the Bear for another drink or two before they move off towards College Green.

Beers over, it’s time to leave. About 18 or so make their way down Hotwell Road accompanied by a small police presence.

Meanwhile, in another part of town…

Back on Hotwell Road police block the street as anti-fascists attempt to intercept the infidels march. They get within 100 yards before this happens:

Police rushing the anti-fascists on Howells Road. #BristolDemos pic.twitter.com/U3KWppTbuB

— Louis Emanuel (@louisjemanuel) June 4, 2016

Police eventually push them all the way back to the roundabout at the foot of Jacob’s Wells Road.

Most bystanders whip out their mobile phones to capture the moment. But this guy is old skool.

Police are called into action again as another group of anti-fascists, dressed all in black and with bandanas covering their faces, attempt to slip around the path next to the Floating Harbour and back onto Hotwell Road. Cue another charge from the cops.

Theyre here pic.twitter.com/cSCd9eVBGD

— Michael Yong (@Michael_Yong) June 4, 2016

By this time the anti-immigration protesters are being slowly ushered along past the Grain Barge.

Police pack around them tightly to avoid any confrontation with a few anti-fascists who have managed to sneak through.

Most folks along the way are happy to watch the action.

Some want to get a little bit more involved though.

But most just want to record it all on their phones.

Some police get shouty, warning that the dogs will bite if we all don’t get out of the way.

But they finally get the tiny group of anti-immigration protesters through the giant steel wall at the bottom of Park Street and into College Green unscathed. Shouts of “scum, scum, scum” can be heard from the anti-fascists.

And this is what it was all for. 18 people standing in a cage. The cost of the police operation? £100,000.

The extent of the 1 mile anti-refugee protest. I make it 18. Police, horses, dogs to the steel island. #BristolDemos pic.twitter.com/gx7LUXozH6

— Andy Howard (@AndyLHoward) June 4, 2016

Meanwhile, in another part of town…

Back on the other side of the fence at College Green it’s all over and people are getting bored. This guy’s found a fun way to make use of the police equipment though.

For everyone else, it’s pretty much time to go home. There has been one arrest so far.

And for the police, they’ll continue explaining to tourists why there’s a massive steel fence around the cathedral for the rest of the day.

As for this guy… Well, he seems to be having fun on his own.