Your say / easton
‘St Mark’s Road is Bristol’s cultural crown jewel’
Arriving at Stapleton Road railway station, you are greeted with an array of murals that tell a unique story, painting a picture of local history and incredible diversity.
Walk a little further, and you’ll notice the distinctive culture of Bristol’s cultural crown jewel that is St Mark’s Road, its diverse communities and what these faces have brought with them: the colourful clothes, the delicious food, the unique religious buildings.
Where else would you find a mosque, church and a pub (and a gurdwara and synagogue just a stone’s throw away) which serve as an example of peaceful coexistence?
is needed now More than ever
The Stapleton Road station mural “paints a picture of local history and incredible diversity”, writes Afzal Shah
St Mark’s Road encompasses the energy of the local residents, an array of businesses and charities – including a shop committed to supporting those with cancer – and the St Mark’s church food bank which helps feed some of the area’s most disadvantaged.
The road is a hub for community activity which has witnessed numerous street parties, food festivals, the recent cricket festival which brought with it the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy, community Eid celebrations, and of course, Bristol’s Grand Iftar, which this year is expected to see more than 5,000 people from all faiths and none, attending an event that has made national and international news.
Sweet Mart is just one of a myriad of delights along St Mark’s Road
This corner of Easton is one of the most diverse and exciting neighbourhoods anywhere in the UK, and many of Bristol’s famed 91 languages are spoken in the area.
St Mark’s Road, along what I like to call the ‘Spice Trail’, offers an amazing cultural heritage which makes it such a great place to visit, particularly with its creative artistic street art.
This is why St Mark’s Road has such a special place in Bristol’s cultural tapestry.
The third annual Grand Iftar takes place on St Mark’s Road on Thursday, May 30 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Afzal Shah is a Labour Party councillor for Easton ward.
Read more: Easton street named among best in UK
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
