Ward profiles 2021: Brislington West – ‘No-one really knows we’re here’

Arnos Vale Cemetery, Arnos Park and the woods, Callington Road Nature Reserve, Nightingale Valley, Beese’s Tea Garden and the river walk, the Royal Photographic Society, the Martin Parr Foundation.

Bocabar, Grounded, the Curry House, the Thunderbolt, the Langton, his mum and dad’s house.

Stand-up comedian Mark Olver lives in Brislington West but the whole of Brislington is his home regardless of arbitrary ward boundaries.

“I grew up here, moved to Clifton and Redland, but came back,” says Mark, who on Monday was named as one of comedy website Chortle’s legends of lockdown.

“There are loads of reasons to love Brislington. Walking distance to Temple Meads, loads of green spaces, a multiplex cinema, a proper little high street in Sandy Park Road (butcher, deli, bakery, greengrocer, proper chippy), some lovely places to eat.

“And no-one really knows we are here so it’s usually nice and quiet.”

The earliest part of Langton Court, dating from around 1590, still survives behind what is now the Langton pub on Langton Court Road – photo: Martin Booth

“It’s lovely to be an underdog but we do get forgotten about a bit,” adds Mark. “There are places like Broomhill that don’t get any attention from local politicians. Several communities that go totally forgotten.”

He says that the proposed St Anne’s train station “would make a massive difference” to the area, while he thinks that the Totterdown Reach development currently under construction on Bath Road “seems not to have beeen planned with any thought or consideration”.

Mark says that nearby Paintworks, in the midst of building its fourth and final phase, “is great but growing and growing without building more places to eat. Parking will get more and more difficult.”

The majority of the steel frame is now in place as phase four of the Paintworks rises from the ground – photo: Martin Booth

For Bocabar co-owner Mel Eavis, there are several things that need to be done by Bristol City Council to ensure that the area thrives post-pandemic.

“Ensure the green spaces such and Arnos Vale Cemetery and the expansive Arnos Vale park are well supported /maintained. Any work on the river to make it more attractive would also be welcomed , especially the side of St Phillip’s.

“Continue to improve the cycle lanes and transport links. The council should lobby government to extend discount on business rates so that small businesses in Brislington can survive post pandemic.”

Another person whose work is based in Paintworks and will be expanding into a new studio as part of phase four, is artist Luke Jerram, who always takes his staff to Bocabar for their annual Christmas lunch.

“Being based at Paintworks has been great for me as an artist,” he says. “With fellow creatives around, it’s been a fun place to meet new people and develop new artworks.”

Ollie Gillard, who works under the name of Gage Graphics, painted this mural at the end of Edward Road in 2019 – photo: Martin Booth

Rob Logan, who is standing as a prospective councillor for the Labour Party in May, agrees with Mark Olver that Brislington “is a fantastic community but has tended to punch below its weight in terms of getting the recognition it should do across the city”.

He said: “As a candidate, I’ve been able to work with colleagues, particularly councillor Tim Rippington to defend local facilities such as Jubilee Pool and the 36 bus, and promote local causes such as investment in The Concourse – by being heard and respected by the council cabinet.

“There is a lot more we could do with a united team of local councillors in Brislington West and East.”

Wick Road Library recently became a Covid surge testing centre – photo: Martin Booth

Current lord mayor Jos Clark is a councillor for Brislington West, with Andrew Varney standing alongside her on the Lib Dem ticket in May.

In a joint statement to Bristol24/7, they said that transport is a key issue in Brislington West “with the busy A4 arterial route slicing through the ward”.

They added: “With a huge amount of new housing in the pipeline and subsequent population growth, our public amenities will be increasingly important, yet they are under constant threat of closure and the maintenance of our parks is woefully inadequate.

“We also need to reduce car usage through the ward and encourage active and sustainable travel, for example by improving the park and ride, franchising our bus services and creating the Brislington Greenway.”

Campaigners want to turn an abandoned railway line into a safe walking and cycle path called the Brislington Greenway – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Martin Booth

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