This is Bristol -- Dozens of families turned out in force to show their support for a popular Bristol park. More than 100 young children and their parents gathered at Hengrove Play Park to protest against possible cuts to staffing which they fear could lead to the eventual closure of the park. They braved the December cold to wave their placards and signs calling on mayor George Ferguson to save the "parkies" who run the park off Hengrove Way when he is looking at £90 million cuts to the council's budget. Bristol City Council is currently consulting on budget proposals, including the possibility of removing supervision from the Hengrove Park. Concerned that taking staff away from the park could lead to its eventual closure, two Hartcliffe mums decided to launch a campaign to save it. They set up a page on social networking site Facebook, which has already attracted 10,700 likes and yesterday dozens of families, local councillors and campaigners turned out to show their support for the park. After speeches from people who use the park and south Bristol councillors from the three main political parties the campaigners marched into the park shouting "Save our Parkies, Save our Park" with youngsters waving their banners and placards. Becki Belgium, who set up the campaign page with Leanne Derrick, was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up to protest. "I don't think it could have gone better if George Ferguson had turned up himself," she said. "We did ask if he wanted to come along but unfortunately he had a prior engagement, which we understand." She spoke to the gathered group about how she and other parents wanted to stand up and do this for their children. "A lot of the families in the local area wouldn't have anywhere to take their children if the park closed," she said. "Without the park staff this park doesn't stand a chance of being here in two years." Sally Stokes, 31, attended the protest with three-year-old Lily-Ann, six-year-old Charlie and Martial, 12, who all use the park. "I like it because of all the staff, they are brilliant," she said. "My sister lives in Yate so we only see each other every month or so but in the summer holidays we always come and meet here." Lauren Harrison, 28, of Southville, attended the protest with her four-year-old daughter Olivia. "We come here quite often, especially in the summer," she said. "It is such a great thing and there is nothing like it over my side of Bristol. "I just feel that without the staff a park of this type will just fall into disrepair." Joel Chapman, 25, of Hengrove brought 11-month-old Jace along to be part of the protest. "It is the only thing in the area really where I feel safe bringing him," he said. "It was very important for us to get involved." Bristol City Council said the park will not be closed, adding that the proposal to remove supervision is open to consultation. "That will include negotiations with the landlord about the lease, which currently requires there to be supervision," a spokesman said.
Reported by This is 22 hours ago.
This is Bristol -- Dozens of families turned out in force to show their support for a popular Bristol park. More than 100 young children and their parents gathered at Hengrove Play Park to protest against possible cuts to staffing which they fear could lead to the eventual closure of the park. They braved the December cold to wave their placards and signs calling on mayor George Ferguson to save the "parkies" who run the park off Hengrove Way when he is looking at £90 million cuts to the council's budget. Bristol City Council is currently consulting on budget proposals, including the possibility of removing supervision from the Hengrove Park. Concerned that taking staff away from the park could lead to its eventual closure, two Hartcliffe mums decided to launch a campaign to save it. They set up a page on social networking site Facebook, which has already attracted 10,700 likes and yesterday dozens of families, local councillors and campaigners turned out to show their support for the park. After speeches from people who use the park and south Bristol councillors from the three main political parties the campaigners marched into the park shouting "Save our Parkies, Save our Park" with youngsters waving their banners and placards. Becki Belgium, who set up the campaign page with Leanne Derrick, was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up to protest. "I don't think it could have gone better if George Ferguson had turned up himself," she said. "We did ask if he wanted to come along but unfortunately he had a prior engagement, which we understand." She spoke to the gathered group about how she and other parents wanted to stand up and do this for their children. "A lot of the families in the local area wouldn't have anywhere to take their children if the park closed," she said. "Without the park staff this park doesn't stand a chance of being here in two years." Sally Stokes, 31, attended the protest with three-year-old Lily-Ann, six-year-old Charlie and Martial, 12, who all use the park. "I like it because of all the staff, they are brilliant," she said. "My sister lives in Yate so we only see each other every month or so but in the summer holidays we always come and meet here." Lauren Harrison, 28, of Southville, attended the protest with her four-year-old daughter Olivia. "We come here quite often, especially in the summer," she said. "It is such a great thing and there is nothing like it over my side of Bristol. "I just feel that without the staff a park of this type will just fall into disrepair." Joel Chapman, 25, of Hengrove brought 11-month-old Jace along to be part of the protest. "It is the only thing in the area really where I feel safe bringing him," he said. "It was very important for us to get involved." Bristol City Council said the park will not be closed, adding that the proposal to remove supervision is open to consultation. "That will include negotiations with the landlord about the lease, which currently requires there to be supervision," a spokesman said.
Reported by This is 22 hours ago.