East Bristol’s best knockers

Like a scene from a fairytale, Amy Harrison has discovered pixies, hummingbirds, a toucan and even a giant snail on regular walks around her local neighbourhood.

Every day during February, Redfield resident Amy is celebrating the beauty and diversity of the humble door knocker.

Sharing unique examples collected during her family’s east Bristol lockdown meanderings via social media, the 43-year-old collates her discoveries using the hashtag #eastbristolknockers

“Unless you’re a postman, delivery driver or political canvasser, everyday details like door knockers normally form a kind of ‘visual wallpaper’ in our busy, over stimulated lives and we just don’t notice them,” Amy, the vice chair of Eastside Community Trust, told Bristol24/7.

“However, lockdown has forced us to slow down and to stay hyper local, so we are noticing and appreciating the little details and changes in our own neighbourhoods much more.”

A jester in Redfield

A trowel in Barton Hill

A pixie in Redfield

A cherubim in St George

A squirrel in St George

A honey bee in Redfield

Amy’s walks with her nine-year-old daughter, Poppy, have taken her through areas including Barton Hill, St George and Whitehall, with each according to Amy having their own “local distinctiveness” which she captures via door knockers.

“This lockdown has been tough and it’s taken a lot of motivation to get out and about every day in the wintery weather. With schools closed again and my daughter at home, I was searching for ways to help make our daily (post work/home-schooling) constitutionals a bit more varied and fun.

“Once we set ourselves the ‘knocker’ challenge we couldn’t believe what we discovered, from bats to bumble bees, from pixies to pineapples. We never knew the world of domestic architectural ironmongery could be so delightful!”

A woodpecker in Easton

A pineapple in Barton Hill

A cat in Easton

A dragonfly in Greenbank

A lion in Barton Hill

“I believe getting children out and about in all weathers is really important for their health and wellbeing (and ours as adults/parents). The current lockdown restrictions are tough for children, especially those living in the inner-city with limited space to play outside.

“I love walking – it’s free, healthy and it enables to you to explore hidden corners of the city you wouldn’t otherwise discover. I also feel it’s important for children to know and feel connected to their local area, and our ‘knocker’ excursions have definitely helped my daughter be more observant and positive, whilst bringing a spark of joy to what might otherwise have been rather repetitive urban rambles.

“I love to find the beauty in the everyday and for many years as a cultural educator I’ve engaged children, young people and communities through architecture and heritage, so it’s nice to continue that on a personal level with my own family and community, during these challenging lockdown days.”

An owl in St George

A snail in Redfield

A pelican in Easton

A hummingbird in Easton

A ram in St George

A pine cone in Whitehall

“I’m no photographer, but with mobile phone in hand, we were able to capture some of the quirks of our neighbourhood. I’m really passionate about east Bristol, but also fascinated by the local distinctiveness of every place.

“Fancy, exterior house décor is something you’d expect to be more commonplace in affluent Cotswold villages (or Clifton!), so it’s been a pleasure to discover and celebrate the quirky domestic gems of my own inner-city community.

“I’ve had some lovely feedback on my ‘knocker’ project, and at a time when our lives are so restricted and deficient in culture and variety, it’s nice to think something so humble has brought a modest bit of cheer to others!”

Amy added: “And finally, my apologies and thanks to any east Bristol residents whose houses I’ve doorstepped over the last month, to capture the domestic beauty of their front doors – in normal times I would have knocked, asked permission and complimented you on your knockers!”

Follow Amy on Twitter via @littlegreenamy and #eastbristoknockers

All photos by Amy Harrison

Read more: In photos: Bristol’s little libraries