People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts is Bristol24/7’s new Community Reporters Editor, taking charge of our innovative community reporters scheme.
Charlie grew up in Knowle West and was one of the original community reporters hired in 2020 to report hyper-local news from their home turf.
As well as reporting for Bristol24/7, Charlie, who has recently moved to Whitchurch, is the communications coordinator for Filwood Community Centre.
is needed now More than ever
These are Charlie’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Filwood Community Centre
Filwood Community Centre is at the heart of the positive changes that are happening in the area- photo by Ellie Pipe
“I feel like Filwood Community Centre is becoming one of the best community centres in Bristol! I mean, there’s not many that can boast a walk of fame as well as a crazy golf course. The building is over 80 years old, and I feel that it really represents the community spirit of Knowle West.”
Quakers’ Burial Ground
Quakers’ Burial Ground was used as a cemetery from 1665 until 1923 – photo: Martin Booth
“When I used to go to the Redcliffe Sixth Form Centre, I used to find this small park near St Mary Redcliffe Church really peaceful. Not many people use it and it takes you away from the busy Redcliff Hill. The park also has its own little cave called Hermit’s Cave and I find the history of the place really interesting.”
Las Iguanas
Las Iguanas’ first restaurant was in Bristol and still has its head office in Clifton – photo: Martin Booth
“I love spicy food, so Las Iguanas is one of my favourite places to eat when I’m in town. My favourite dish is the chilli con carne. It’s in a brilliant spot, and there’s always plenty going on out the window in Millennium Square to watch as you’re eating. The last time I was there was for the Bristol Light Festival last year, so I can’t wait to get back there again.”
Knowle West Health Park
Much-loved Knowle West Health Park is under threat from a new housing development – photo: Charlie Watts
“This is one of my favourite green spaces in Knowle West. It promotes being healthy, and is a great place to socialise or just have a stroll, so it’s a huge shame that 50 homes could end up being built on it. The park has also proved really useful through the pandemic, with the Healthy Living Centre there serving as a local place to get vaccinated.”
The Sandwich Stop
The Sandwich Stop sells everything from sandwiches to Sunday roasts – photo: Charlie Watts
“The Sandwich Stop, a family-run cafe on Filwood Broadway in Knowle West, has only been open for a few years, but it’s always really popular and is bringing people back to the Broadway. They’ve been busy doing deliveries and takeaways, including roasts on a Sunday, but I look forward to sitting in there again, having a coffee and a slice of one of their delicious cakes.”
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read more: Ward profiles 2021: Filwood ‘ We are trying to make it what we always thought it could be’
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