We’re finally beginning to see signs of spring at the Cumberland Piazza and thanks to our committed volunteers colours are emerging in our planters and beds. It’s been such a wet winter and we seem to have scheduled our monthly sessions for the coldest days but people have persevered, planting bulbs and seeds, clearing litter and dead plants, shovelling soil, compost and mulch and painting over unsightly tagging. Thanks so much to Anais, Layla, Flynn, Ruby, Damian, Rik, Maggie, Ben, Andrew, Chris, Brian, Rachel, Julian, Eleanor, Max, Kean, Toby, Patrick and everyone else who’s helped over the past 6 months.

Photos of March Community Gardening Day by Layla and Ruby

We also have some lovely new artworks gifted by world class Bristol painters Acerone (AKA Luke) & Andy Council. One Dove promotes peace in troubled times as well as promoting urban wildlife via the common pigeon (also a great tune) and the Wood Dragon celebrates Chinese New Year in a unique way

‘To honour Chinese New Year this month we created a Wood Dragon intertwined with symbols of sacred geometry for the people of Hotwells in the community garden at Cumberland Piazza.
2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon – a symbol of growth, vitality and creativity. The connection between the Wood Dragon and sacred geometry can be understood in several ways.
Symbolism: Both the Wood Dragon and sacred geometric shapes symbolize natural harmony, balance, and cosmic order. The intricate patterns and proportions found in sacred geometry reflect the underlying order of the universe, while the Wood Dragon represents the harmony between nature and the elements.’

Andy Council 2024

Making space for urban nature is one of the key aims of all the work we do at the Cumberland Piazza: we are in talks with the Team Wilder Ecological Advisory Service at Avon Wildlife Trust about how we can do more of this and will be hosting a talk by a bee expert later this year. If you would like to get involved any of the work we do here we welcome you. Just email Anna admin@hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk

Our lovely young Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteers have been asking the garden group why they like volunteering at the piazza. Here’s what some them they told us:

‘I like volunteering here because I help out my sister for Duke of Edinburgh and it’s a very nice area to come and stay in but it has to be cleaned soI think it’s good that people are clearing it all up.’

Flynn

‘It helps tidy up a space that would otherwise be a bit neglected and it meanswe can all useit. I see kids coming down here and skateboarding and playing basketball and people hanging out and if we didn’t come and help out, it might not be used that way’.

Damian

‘I do this for my Duke of Edinburgh skill, but I like helping the community and it creates a cleaner and safer place to be around.’

Layla

‘When the sun’s out it’s really lovely and it’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.’

Ben

‘I like working out of doors, I like being out in all weathers. I love meeting the minibeasts-I just met a ladybird. I never know what I’m going to find. The people who do this sort of work are always nice people and I like making a nice environment for people to live in.’

Maggie