Books / News
New book celebrates Bristol’s community activism
From boaters’ rights to Broadwalk Shopping Centre and allotments to the arena, a new book focuses on grassroots campaigning in some of the most polarising issues of recent years in Bristol.
Our City: Community Activism in Bristol features 19 essays from different writers on a variety of different subjects.
Suzanne Audrey, the book’s editor, said: “History should be told through many voices, not just by those in powerful positions.
is needed now More than ever
“Our City is a contribution to the recent history of Bristol from the perspectives of residents from across the city.
“The events described relate to the kind of city we want to live in, and pass on to future generations.
“They tell of individuals, communities and organisations that have been willing to question, campaign, petition and protest.
“There are examples of solidarity, of learning from and supporting others.
“Even when the battle was ‘lost’, friendships and alliances have been formed, knowledge and confidence gained.”
Other chapters in Our City, published by Tangent Books, include the campaign to save Ursa the Bear in the Bearpit written by Tangent founder Richard Jones, fighting to retain public access to Stoke Lodge playing fields by Helen Powell and defending Yew Tree Farm by George Cook.
Other authors include Bristol24/7 LGBTQ+ Editor Any Leake on the queer community, Bristol Cable reporter Priyanka Raval on atonement and reparations, and investigative journalist Joanna Booth on the arena project.
More chapters are written by Zoe Banks Gross on growing active lifestyles in under-represented communities, Jen Smith on the SEND crisis, Vassili Papastavrou on saving Bristol’s urban trees, Joe Banks on St Mary le Port and Anna Haydock-Wilson on the Western Harbour.
The surviving spire of St Mary le Port church will be hidden within the new Castle Park development, which Joe Banks writes about in ‘Our City’ – image: MEPC
Audrey – who worked as a community development worker for 20 years in socio-economically disadvantaged areas of Bristol and Glasgow before becoming a public health academic focussing on health inequalities – has written an essay about scrutiny, democracy and the referendum which scrapped the position of Bristol’s directly elected mayor.
She said: “The campaigns and issues covered in Our City benefitted from the support of allies who were willing to share information and experience, friends who made banners and turned up to protest, residents who asked questions and made statements, ‘strangers’ who contributed to fundraisers and signed petitions, pro bono legal advice from experts who put people before profit, and good local journalism keeping important stories on the agenda.
“Such support has given people strength when the going got tough – and will continue to do so.
“As the book goes to press, Bristol is adjusting to its committee system of governance, and the country has elected a new Labour government. The impact of these changes remains to be seen.
“Some of the challenges and campaigns described in Our City will continue, some will be resolved, and new issues will arise as we go forward.
“Community activism lives on and there is a wealth of experience within these pages which we hope will inspire, inform and comfort future activists and citizens of our city.”
The book launch takes place on September 26 at Waterstones in the Galleries with a number of authors due to be speaking.
Main photo: Rob Browne
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