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A day of community action in the Bearpit
There was gardening, tidying, painting, fixing and even a free aerobics class in the Bearpit on Saturday during a Community Action Day.
It was an opportunity for volunteers to celebrate this unique space in Bristol and to contribute to the first steps in a much needed clean-up.
The celebration of the Bearpit was tinged with sadness, however, with Saturday the last day of trading for both Bearpit Social cafe and Bearritos restaurant.
is needed now More than ever
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“There’s a desire from the public for this space to come out on top,” said Miriam Delogu of Bearpit Social while crouched down with her paintbrush. “Things are changing here. It’s amazing.”
According to Miriam, the misconception among the public is that the Bearpit has a homeless problem, but she has witnessed – and has the bruises to prove it – that the problem is one of crime and anti-social behaviour.
“It’s a place where people think they can get away with open drug taking and open drug dealing and that’s not okay,” she said. “This is the heart of Bristol. It connects the city.”
Days of community action like this are key to ensure the future of the Bearpit, with Miriam vowing to come back stronger.
Miriam added: “It takes everyone working together to make a difference.”
A volunteer picking litter during the Bearpit’s Community Action Day
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