Bishopthorpe@Crossroads

November 23, 2006

Thanks

A correspondent writes:

"The Sensory Garden - to all concerned

I felt I must express my appreciation for the tremendous amount of work, thought and care, that has gone into this project. It is a great asset to the village and should benefit and bring together all age groups.

Many thanks indeed."

Posted by martin at 9:00 AM | Comments (0)

November 14, 2006

Garden story

The garden opened with a well-attended ceremony on Saturday (see main story here).

It took a while to organise the garden. We agreed to lease the land from the Council in August 2005, but it took until March this year to get a legal agreement from them. Work thus started in April, and it took much longer to excavate the old soil - we found large amounts of the old air raid shelter, tree roots, tarmac and concrete to dig out. Sean Jones did a fantastic job of excavation helped by a fair number of volunteers, and 20 truck loads of soil were deposited at Acaster airfield.

However there were never enough volunteers with the time and skills to prepare and lay the paving, so we paid to have this done. It was during this time that local firms did us proud with the loan of equipment and time, helping move materials and so on. The Marcia provided tea and bacon sarnies, and stored the paving bricks at the back of their car park. The paving was largely finished by August.

The raised planters were designed and built by John Bettridge, and installed by workers from Brunswick - who had to dig down through the hardcore just laid beneath the paving! The Brunswick workers, lead by Geoff Freeston then dug out and prepared the beds, adding composted garden waste collected and re-cycled by the Council, with a weed suppressing membrane and mulch on top. Plants were then planted in to this. The sight raised planter was filled with pansies and tulip bulbs by the Gardening Club. This was complete by early October.

The water feature was brought from a Welsh quarry and a base plate added by Ian Jemison. It was installed on its sump with the combined efforts of Jim Davey, Richard Parkin and Martin Dudley. Richard Williams completed the electrical works started by Russell Turner, and installed the low voltage LED lights in the pavement, sold to us at cost by Howard Green. After a protracted delay, the electricity supply meter was installed and we were able to try out the lights and water pump.

Jenny Harris sourced and purchased two seats, and they were installed by Simon Sykes. Older residents at Vernon House completed a sunflower mosaic under the guidance of Art and About, and United Utilities gave the gas kiosk a makeover. The Library Service contributed too by paying for resurfacing in front of the library.

It was a long slog, but we got there in the end. You can read about progress in the stories written about the sensory garden on this web site, and there are more photos on the Photo File (see under Library).

The garden has been designed to allow people of all ages and abilities to access it. The flat hard surface allows wheeled vehicles (no bikes though!) easy access, and the raised beds allow easy access to the plants.

Thanks to the donation of funds, local people were able to add their time and skills to the project. Timber, fencing, railings, signing and materials were sourced locally wherever possible.

From this...
To this... 

Posted by martin at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)

November 11, 2006

Tick a box

Well at last the day has dawned - the opening of the first result of the long process that is the Crossroads scheme.

Four years ago there was an Ideas Day about how the Mllennium Trust could work towards some longer term goals. Research, audits, campaigning and fund raising followed. A Design Competition was held, and a plan for a new garden was launched. In Spring 2006, work started on the garden.

Today, November 11th 2006 has started cold, with wind and showers forecast. At noon the garden will be formally opened. Let's hope the crowds turn out despite the calls of sports and christmas shopping.

Posted by martin at 9:16 AM | Comments (0)

June 26, 2006

Things are moving

Sensory Garden

Work has been slow on getting the garden finished, but next weekend we plan to prepare the whole site so that Stoneplan Landscape Construction can lay the paving. Work is in hand to make the wooden planters and the boundary fence. One remaining issue is the supply of electricity; the cost of a new supply is expensive, and we are seeking ways through the City if York Council to install a cheaper method. This is taking some time to resolve. We aim to finish the garden next month.

Bishopthorpe Gala

A display mounted by the Millennium Trust got favourable comments at the Gala, and additional money was raised for plants for the Garden. 

Pinfold project

Outline drawings of this were shown at the village Gala last Saturday, and a bid for nearly £25 000 has been made the the Local Heritage Initiative fund. We expect to hear an outcome of this bid next month. 

Posted by martin at 6:20 PM | Comments (0)

April 7, 2006

New report

A new Report published by the Office of the deputy Prime Minister is worth a read.

Communities Taking Control: Final Report of the Cross-sector Work Group on Community Ownership and Management of Assets

is a look at a range of issues relevant to local neighbourhoods and local authorities.

It recommends among other things:

The wide-ranging benefits of community management and ownership of assets, including how transfer of assets can help local authorities achieve their wider priorities;

and the creation of an Incentive Fund to support asset transfer.

It covers community buildings and open spaces, and clearly covers all the regulatory, management, financial and other issues relating to the transfer and management of assets.

You can download and read it in pdf (500kb file) here. 

 There will be consultation this year that our Parish Council may be interested in.

Posted by martin at 2:49 PM | Comments (0)

March 8, 2006

Landscape matters

Yesterday we met Paul Green and a party of his students from Askham Bryan College.

Standing outside the library on a cold wet day we talked about how the Crossroads area might be improved by landscaping. Paul and his students have gone away to research into what could be done, and come back with a series of individual design proposals for consideration.

Posted by martin at 9:46 AM | Comments (0)

February 6, 2006

Can something be done?

Posted by martin at 11:56 AM | Comments (0)

January 6, 2006

New campaign

A campaigner in Oxford has come up with a novel way of raising issues about managing streets. This is part of a campaign to reduce to 20 MPH the legal speed in residential areas.

 A 'living room' was set up in the street to underline the need to share space.

You can read the full story on the BBC web site here.

Posted by martin at 4:16 PM | Comments (0)

October 4, 2005

Language test

Do you respect public property?

What happens if you have a new open space? Some say that vandals and other inconsiderate people will wreck it - whether it is a bench, a park or garden, a grass verge, a bus shelter or whatever.

Perhaps that's because people don't respect the idea of public property - its not mine, its not yours, but it is ours - and treat it accordingly. But people do look out for the state of the neighbourhoods, and can keep an eye on things, reporting street lighting faults, picking up litter (mainly dropped by school students and from cars).

Our local Council has even carried out a 'ward audit' for Bishopthorpe, and 'issues picked up during the survey passed to the relevant departments' says its newsletter.

Can we have a copy of the audit too?

Anyway, this notion of caring for public space is something that is taken seriously, and here is a fine example of it taken in a park in France. Here, an old man comtemplated a pigeon, a young mum pushed her child around in a buggy, four men repaired a wall and worked on the planting, and a teacher took her class in to show them the plants.

Roughly translated this says 'keep your dogs on a lead'.

Posted by at 4:30 PM | Comments (0)

October 3, 2005

Ward Committee asks for views

The Bishopthorpe and Wheldrake Ward Committee has received suggestions for spending its allocation of money next year. Households should have received a list of these on a voting form by now. The deadline is 20th October to make your views known. There are as usual more suggestions than funds, so it is important not to miss this opportunity to vote on what happens in Bishopthorpe.

The Millennium Trust has aked for £7000 to pursue the Crossroads project, for which a great deal of work has been done in preparation. Some will be spent on the Sensory Garden, and the rest will go towards a renovated and renewed Pinfold.

In considering this scheme, it is worth pointing out that it has the support of many people who have given their views over the past 2 years. As far as possible the funds will be spent locally. The money will enhance public land. It can be used as 'match-funding' in order to bring more money into the village for the Crossroads scheme. The money will be spent to everyone's benefit.

Posted by at 4:41 PM | Comments (0)

So what is possible?

A correspondent recently in France was able to send us some pictures of interest. They show the way pedestrians and vehicles, and town centres can be improved in an interesting and attractive way.

Here the traffic is separated from a pedestrian area by a wall that deters climbers, and the discreet traffic lights operate at a raised and patterned crossing point.

The future Pinfold? Modern concrete blocks and an unfinished fountain add interest and seating to a tourist area.

Nearby, the open area has new paving and bollards to mark traffic routes, and thoroughly modern street furniture graces what is a medieval street layout.

Steel bollards keep vehicles at bay as they go down the cobbled surface road, whilst a fountain (that goes on and off), a wall and planter adds visual interest. The modern design in fact fits well into an old market town.

Posted by at 3:02 PM | Comments (0)

September 19, 2005

Things can change

It probably helps if you have a famous Yorkshireman on your side, but local action can bring about changes.

In Hampstead in London, changes to the streets have been anounced that will see new benches, removal of trip hazards, smoother paving and finger posts as incremental improvements along a new urban walk following a Community Street Audit. A street audit was part of the research for the Crossroads scheme that was carried out here in Bishopthorpe.

The changes are part of the local (Camden) council's efforts to reduce traffic and emissions by encouraging walking.

You can read more about it here.

Posted by martin at 7:22 AM | Comments (0)

July 7, 2005

"Communities will become shadows of former selves if they don’t improve public space"

The charity is running a free one day event The Walking Pound Conference on Saturday 16th.

The campaign argues that retail areas are in decline -

People want to shop locally, near to where they live and work . But they want to go somewhere bright, clean and attractive which offers quality and choice.

(Some of) the essentials are to preserve heritage, upgrade any parks and squares and create a quality environment with benches, bins and public toilets.

Bishopthorpe traders of course rely heavily on motor borne trade, but I think that the benefits of a better environment and planning for other than vehicles can bring benefits for traders as well as for villagers and visitors.

Posted by martin at 8:35 AM | Comments (0)

June 6, 2005

Conservation Area - what's that then?

The Crossroads area is all contained within the designated Conservation Area.

I have already mentioned the need for the City of York Council to evaluate these on a rolling basis and that community involvement with the designation and management of conservation areas represents best practice.

Here meanwhile is a description of our very own Bishopthorpe conservation area, published by CYC on their web site. Note the emphasis on views, open spaces and old and rural things - and no mention of the the crossroads area as such.

Introduction
Bishopthorpe Conservation Area was designated in 1989. It is quite extensive, encompassing Main Street, the Archbishop’s Palace and grounds, and open areas that are important to the village setting.

History

Previously called St Andrewthorpe, Bishopthorpe is known as the home of the Archbishop of York. This association began in the 13th Century when Archbishop Grey bought a Manor House and gave it to the Dean and Chapter of York. For centuries Bishopthorpe was really a hamlet centred around the palace. By 1800 its population was 218, and still only 439 at the turn of the 20th Century. Major expansion began in the 1930’s, accelerating to treble the population in the last 30-40 years, to about 3250 people today.

Important Buildings

From 13th Century origins the Archbishop’s Palace has evolved, with a remodelling of 1763-9 by Thomas Atkinson. Magnesian limestone, and pinkish red and brown brick are the main materials. The Gatehouse, former stables, Brewster’s Cottage and Brewhouse are of the same period. All are listed buildings, as is the folly in the Palace Grounds. The ruins of the former St Andrew’s Church date from 1768, on the site of a 13th Century Church. The present Parish Church of St Andrews (1898 - 1902) is by C Hodgson Fowler. The new Church Hall is a pleasing modern addition to the churchyard enclave. Listed buildings form most of the southern side of Chantry Lane : Chestnut Cottage (possibly a former inn), The Cottage, the White House and the Chantry. Other listed buildings are: Priory Corner (formerly The Home Farm) and the Ebor Inn (both mid-18th Century); and Bishopthorpe Garth (1908) and its accompanying cottage and mews by Walter Brierley.

Character

The Palace Gardens, Fields and The Garth retain an open landscape setting to the north of Bishopthorpe. Within this are two enclaves of valuable buildings: St Andrew’s Church and Bishopthorpe Garth. Trees, especially along the northern fringes, screen the York by-pass. The walls of the Palace Gardens define the northern edge of Bishopthorpe with an intriguing air of privacy.

Archbishop’s Palace and Grounds and Chantry Lane: the wedge of dense woodland in the Palace grounds is a strong landscape feature, important to the character of Bishopthorpe Road and the Riverside, each in their own way. These woods and the glade of trees along Chantry Lane protect and maintain a discreet, rural setting for the Palace and its attendant buildings. This is complemented by the dignity of the group of Georgian houses forming the south side of Chantry Lane, with their subtle textures of brick, stone and
colourwash, leading to the ruins of the former St Andrews Church. Chantry Lane is evocative; a tranquil place to reflect upon Bishopthorpe past and present, just beyond the bustle and more secular attractions of Main Street.

Cricket Ground and Ferry Lane: the ferry across the River Ouse ceased in the 1930’s. Ferry Lane, with its cottage, and the adjoining Cricket Ground are still disarmingly rural in character. The riverside has a strong woodland setting along its banks.

Main Street bustles, with its shops, pubs and social facilities. There has been some unsympathetic infill development and alterations, notably the loss of traditional sash windows. However, Main Street’s historic form and character survives, based upon a typical medieval layout. Long narrow walled plots extend back from the street frontage, to North Lane (formerly “Back Lane”) and the open fields beyond. On the south side, this open setting has been lost with “suburban” development. Outbuildings or additions to the frontage properties which extend down the plots are a traditional
element of the village form. The street, with buildings set back especially along the south side, retains a rural character overall.
Remaining front boundary walls, railings, hedges and gardens are important elements of that character. Where “opening out” occurs the visual continuity and domestic scale of the street frontage is lost. There are trees at intervals along the street, and the group at Chantry Lane is an enclosing feature at its east end. The poplar trees near the Social Club were planted by Archbishop Harcourt in 1829. Detailing of the cottages is typically simple and vernacular, with the more exuberant yet authentic expressions of particular architectural periods seen in some individual buildings.

The main elements of the character and appearance of the area are:-
(1) The Archbishop’s Palace, its attendant buildings and Chantry Lane, in a wooded rural and riverside setting, creating an enclave of
outstanding historic and cultural quality.
(2) The open landscape maintained between Bishopthorpe and the
suburbs of York.
(3) The physical and social element of village life of the Cricket Ground and its wooded riverside margins, and the historical associations of Ferry Lane.
(4) The survival in Main Street of many of the characteristics of a
traditional rural village street.
(5) The importance of tree groups as individual features and in enclosing views around the village.
(6) The way in which these diverse elements combine to give bishopthorpe its overall identity - the richness and variety of character that makes the one place.

You can download this description and a map of the conservation area here.

English Heritage says that local authorities can enhance the appearance of conservation areas by:

* preparing special development briefs for sites they identify as detracting from the character or appearance of the area;
* ensuring that new buildings harmonize with or complement their neighbours in scale, style and use of materials;
* making environmental improvements, for example by reinstating historic paving materials, sympathetic landscaping and planting, or removing unsightly elements such as hoardings;
* integrating road signs and markings as far as possible with the character of the street;
* controlling the position and design of advertisements and shop signs;
* ensuring that traffic safety and control measures harmonize with the landscape.
* making grants available for the repair of buildings.

Posted by martin at 7:42 AM | Comments (0)

September 9, 2004

Project launched

Yesterday we launched Bishopthorpe@Crossroads in the Library. Library staff kindly stayed on late to welcome over 30 people to the start of a small exhibition about the scheme. Local residents chatted to the members of the project group, and listened to a short talk from yours truly. Councillor David Livesley - seen in the picture chatting to a local resident - also encouraged everyone to consider the options for future spending that will appear shortly in the Ward newsletter.

In conversation a range of interesting ideas were suggested - improving sightlines for those driving out of School Lane, better use of signs, making use of areas of land around the buildings. It does seem that for those there, improvements will be welcomed.

The display includes a response form so that anyone can make suggestions about the village centre. All ideas will be compiled for use by our consultants once they are appointed in late October

Posted by martin at 8:00 AM | Comments (0)