A list of upcoming local events, hosted or shared by H&CCA
Tuesday, July 01, 2025 at 07:00 PM
Upstairs at The PumphousePublic Meeting - Hotwells Primary School
organised by Save Hotwells Primary School
" Cathedral Schools Trust claims Hotwells Primary is no longer viable and must either close or be merged into Cathedral Primary School (CPS) - taking on its name, uniform, and Church of England designation. They plan to have early years and key stage 1 on the former Hotwells site and key stage 2 at the current CPS site.
In reality, this is not a merger but a takeover that would end 100 years of Hotwells Primary as we know it. Two of the three objectives driving the consultation are not even related to Hotwells: getting more space for Cathedral Primary and helping Bristol reduce primary admission numbers across the city.
The Trust has failed to provide convincing evidence to justify such a drastic decision. Hotwells has had some difficult years with lower pupil numbers, but the Trust's claim that Hotwells is financially unviable is unconvincing. The situation is improving, despite the Trust having made little effort to support or invest in making the school sustainable.
Join us at a community meeting to have your voice heard on this matter and help us to campaign for the community."
This is an open meeting, and more information is available via https://savehotwellsprimary.org/
You can find out more about the Cathedral Schools Trust proposal here
https://www.hotwellsprimaryschool.org/amalgamation-consultation/
HCCA's Chair's response to the Chair of Trustees Sir David Eastwood on 13 June after one of the meetings.
Dear Sir David,
I am writing to you to express our community's concern and dismay over the proposals regarding Hotwells Primary School. I attended one of the public consultation events yesterday and it was clear at the event that there was a lot of confusion, anxiety and anger felt by both parents and the wider community.
As you are no doubt aware, Hotwells Primary School has been at the heart of the local community since it started. In the time that I have lived in the area (over 20 years), it has provided a unique and nurturing educational experience for so many, and been at the heart of our community.
At this point I would like to ask for two things on behalf of the community:
1) We would like to understand better how the Trust has reached its current decision. We understand there were other proposals discussed. It would be useful to know more details about them and why they did not work for you.
Please can you send me details. I'm happy to share them with others in our community.
2) The consultation period appears to have come very late in the process and is too short. Many expressed the view that the Trust had not done enough to let community stakeholders know what was happening. For example, I only heard about this two days ago. I urge you to extend the consultation period by a month. I think this would give us more time to understand your thinking and consider our options. It would also demonstrate a willingness to listen, which was not very evident at the meeting last night.
If you were to extend the consultation period we could also support you in reaching more members of the community via our newsletter and a slot at our AGM on 9 July, and, potentially a community meeting.
I look forward to your reply.
With Best Wishes
Rachel McNally
Wednesday, July 09, 2025 at 07:00 PM · 32 rsvps
Holy Trinity in Bristol, United KingdomHCCA AGM 2025
Annual General Meeting for
Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association
COME TO OUR AGM - AN EVENING OF COMMUNITY, LIVE MUSIC & CELEBRATION
At the AGM you can find out more about Jacob's Wells Baths and the progress on restoring the building as a community hub. Our community launch of Connected Actions: Sustainable Neighbourhoods - our community climate action plan and find out more about how to make a difference to your community.
After the AGM, we hope you can join us for a drink and a very special performance by Rebecca Nash and saxophonist Alex Merritt. A dynamic and intimate duet, weaving influences from the ethereal harmonies of John Taylor, the vivid colours of Messiaen, and the shimmering textures of Debussy. Through lyrical improvisations and carefully crafted compositions, the duo explore the interplay of light and shadow, tension and release, their love of the spontaneous, alongside an appreciation for silence and space. Join them for a performance of music that is as reflective as it is daring — a celebration of musical expression at its most poetic.
“One of the freshest most creative talents in the UK at this present time” ★★★★★ UK VIBE‘Merritt is..not only an artist to watch, but also to listen to, as one would a dawn chorus: with eyes closed and mind opened.’ Tyran GrilloNash is “at the vanguard of innovative and compelling new music” Downbeat Magazine7pm 9 July (doors open 6.45pm)
AGENDA
Welcome and Introduction
Chair and Treasurer's Report
Approval of Accounts
Election of Management Committee
Community Updates -
Connected Actions: Sustainable Neighbourhoods
Jacob's Wells Baths Hub Update
AOB
DRINKS AND MUSIC
Management Committee
The following people have agreed to stand as Management Committee Members
We asked a few questions to give you an idea of who the Management Committee are.
Rachel McNally - Chair
Q1 - How long have you lived in the area?
I've lived in Cliftonwood for over 25 years. It's the longest I've lived anywhere
Q2 - In 10 words, what does community mean to you?
Great neighbours and a sense of common purpose.
Q3 - What difference would you like to make in the next year?
I would like to ensure pedestrian routes are kept clear and free of obstructions and set up an annual community picnic and old school sports day on the Piazza.
Q4 - What is the best thing about living here?
The people and the fact that I can walk to the city centre in 20 minutes and more or less walk out of the city in 20 minutes.
Julian Brown - Treasurer
Q1 - How long have you lived in the area?I have lived here for a short six years.Q2- In 10 words, what does community mean to you?The places and relationships where we can live well together.Q3 - What difference would you like to make in the next year?There is, it seems to me, a clear place for HCCA to offer spaces for community responses to potential developments that will have a long inheritance for people and places. In order to facilitate this without losing sight of enjoying and enriching each other in more social ways, I would love us to secure funding that supports the organisational aspects of what we do.Q4 - What is the best thing about living here?A combination of continuity and newness, in the natural and built surroundings and the people I have come to know and am yet to meet.Carol WaltonQ1 - How long have you lived in area?I have lived in Hotwells for 20 yearsQ2 - In 10 words, what does community mean to you?Community means a sense of belonging, support and shared networks with neighbours.Q3 - What difference would you like to make in the next year?Reduction in traffic and improved air qualityQ4 - What is the best thing about living here?Easy access to harbourside/city centre and friendly neighboursHelen JohnsonQ1 - How long have you lived in the area?
I moved here nearly 10 years ago to be closer to family.
Q2- In 10 words, what does community mean to you?
Sense of belonging, shared responsibility for each other and environment.
Q3 - What difference would you like to make in the next year?
To help engage more people into our community network, work with stakeholders in resolving transport / access issues, and save / enhance our community spaces.
Q4 - What is the best thing about living here?
The beauty, bustle, sense of history and community of the Harbour.
Sandra Fryer
Q1 - How long have you lived in area?
I have lived in the area for more than 40 years and have been active in supporting the Community for some time.
Q2- In 10 words, what does community mean to you?
My place, home - we need to ensure this continues to be a great place.
Q3 - What difference would you like to make in the next year?
Ensure we make sound representation to our changing neighbourhood and especially to Western Harbour and develop suggested delivery vehicle for Western Harbour. Development. That we support Hotwells School through any changes and negotiations with the Cathedral School Trust. That we consider preparing a neighbourhood plan, and above the local area celebrates that this is a great place to live.
Q4 - What is the best thing about living here?
Inner central Bristol here a lifestyle of walking and cycling is possible .
Sibusiso Tshbalala
Interested in joining the management committee?We meet 6-7 times per year usually for a couple of hours and hold one half day planning session per year. We are currently looking for a Company Secretary and others who are interest in the future of our communities.If you would like further details please email [email protected]