The Bishopston, Cotham and Redland Green Treasure Hunt

Chrissie Decker

1 August to 13 September 2015

This summer sees the launch of the ‘Green Treasure Hunt’ around Bishopston, Cotham and Redland as part of the Bristol 2015 Neighbourhood Arts Programme. Starting on Saturday 1 August and running for six weeks, the treasure hunt will take you on a journey of discovery, woven around the green spaces and independent shopping streets on our doorstep. Five pop-up ‘Street Pockets’ and ten hidden art works will form the framework of the route, that guides you around the quietest streets and traffic-free paths in our neighbourhood. It was great to catch up with Bishopston resident Chrissie Decker who thought up this fantastic idea. What is the aim of the project? It is to encourage residents to explore their local ‘green treasures’. To inspire people to try active travel and discover the most pleasant routes to get around. I am hoping that people discover something that can become part of their future daily life. DestBristol-22Who is delivering the project? The venture is a result of ideas and input from lots of inspiring local people and the end result will reflect the work of local groups who are vital in making it all happen. I am the facilitator, whose job it is to engage the various community groups to express what they would like to see happen and help them to realise it. What type of art will we see? There is a real mix that is more ‘outsider art’ than ‘fine art’. It will be playful, some of it created by communities and some by individuals but most of all it is designed to inspire, to make people think – how would it be if things were different? The street pockets will explore each of the themes of Green capital: energy, food, nature, resources and transport. How will the Treasure Hunt work? It is a clockwise, circular route, 14 km in total, which can be picked up and dropped off at any point along the way. It is designed to be a summer holiday activity that can be done whenever and at whatever pace you like. Some people may do it all in one day but I imagine that most will take a number of days or may complete only some of the sections. It is flexible. Where do I get a treasure map from? The map will be on-line at www.greentreasure.net where you will be able to sign up to log your finds, post pictures and uncover clues for the hidden art works.  The website will also list the local shops and cafes that will stock the printed fold-out map. DestBristol-15The cycling routes are on road and many people aren’t confident cycling with children on the road, is this a family friendly activity? Absolutely, yes. We have designed the route very carefully to avoid busy roads and difficult junctions. It is important however to be aware of how to keep your family safe when you ride with them. For anyone lacking experience or confidence, we strongly recommend that you take advantage of the free adult and family cycling training on offer from Bristol City Council. Go to www.bristol.cycletms.com to book your free session at a convenient location near you. What has been the response so far to creating the Street Pockets? I was cautious about approaching people with the idea at first but I have been very pleasantly surprised. Overton Road, for example, seemed the perfect spot to host a ‘transport’ themed pocket. I wanted to highlight the ten in one ratio of space needed for bicycle parking compared to car parking. I approached the local traders, at first asking if we could use a small space but was met with a unanimous request to ‘makeover’ the whole street! It has really fired their imaginations and we are now planning seating, planting displays and a games area, as well as looking into what events we can hold in the reclaimed area during the six week run. So there will be events too? Yes, there will be a series of ‘happenings’ throughout the six weeks. We will keep everyone posted via the website www.greentreasure.net, Facebook BCR Green Treasure and Twitter @GreenTreasure15.

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