George Ferguson: Bristol's campaigners are derided as cranks
Sometimes we need reminding of those individuals in Bristol who have done so much to protect its heritage and to fight the philistines who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
Without these courageous individuals we would have a much blander city, one that was all about a brave new world that took little account of the special character and variety that makes Bristol such a remarkable city.
And yet too often these campaigners for a better city are derided by the establishment as cranks, while in truth they should be "listed" as living legends.
I would particularly like to highlight a couple of fearless campaigners – firstly Dorothy Brown, and her Bristol Visual and Environmental Group, who have dared to take direct action to do what they believe in, and without whom an unloved Old Market and its medieval buildings may well have been lost to us.
When Bristol City Council was possibly at its most dangerous – in the 1970s and 1980s – Dorothy was producing publications to highlight our varied and fascinating architectural history, helping to inform decision making.
Dorothy would say there was a lot more that needed to be done – but the fact that she has dedicated her life to the city's physical well being has made a huge difference that has not always been fully appreciated.
Secondly, I nominate that formidable artist duo Jerry and Ann Hicks who have fought valiantly to try to bring more character and variety to new development, working individually and through the Civic Society, which has itself often been seen by the city administration as a big pain.
Ann and Jerry, who don't have a car and observe the city as real human beings, have always used their artistic talent to make their point. I may not have always agreed with them on every point, after all I am an architect, but I have always agreed that their intervention has been positive.
The truth is that it is people with passion for their place who should be listened to more than bean counters who think regeneration is all about numbers, big buildings and profits, and little about the history and the people that give the city its real value.
So let's celebrate these selfless campaigners for a better future and remember Churchill's words: "If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future."
Let's look to the younger heritage heroes to take up the reins from Dorothy Brown and the Hicks as they grow older and lets never allow them to be dismissed as irrelevant or impractical by the property men (generally men!) who think that they know best.
4 Comments
by Chris, Bristol
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 7:11AM
“We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to people like Dorothy Brown, Jerry and Anne Hicks and indeed many others who have resisted the philistine tendancies of the established powers.
We should remember that they were reacting to some brutal redevelopment pressures in the 60s and 70s which destroyed large tracks of old Bristol and might have done even more harm were it not for them.
Perhaps the vision and ideas that inspired them to such selfless action now need to evolve but that is down to a much younger generation to carry through. Let's not blame the old guard for the failure of nerve of the young turks.”
by Shaun, Bristol
Monday, November 02 2009, 10:40PM
“George, you are right to remind us of the important contributions made to Bristol's visual environment by individuals such Dorothy Brown and the Civic Society. Equally, we need a new generation of activists to continue their invaluable works. The issue to me is that most people/students view being known as an activist as a severe impediment to gaining employment. And with the jobs' market being so very competitive, even at graduate level, most will not take the risk of damaging career prospects. Add to this the concept, held most government officials at present, that public service is far, far less important than the 'for profit' moitve and you have an environment where commercial interests run, not only supreme but also unchallanged. Under these circumstances, I guess it is down people like yourself and the local media to offer an alternative perspective; or at least sufficient information to make an informed judgement for themselves. Perhaps, this will engender others to take up the batten; despite the inherent drawbacks I've mentioned, above.”
by Richard, Knowle
Monday, November 02 2009, 8:37PM
“I totally agree Tim.
We as a city could really do with some iconic, quality, taller buildings befitting a city of our prominence.
For example would you hear the local civic society yell if plans were submitted for a thirteen story tower on the top of park st, or Cabot tower
or St Mary Redcliffe nowadays.
These buildings would not be built now because of these dictators.
Obviously we don't want a return to the upturned boxes of the 70s but having seen quality structures in smaller less affluent cities than Bristol
I believe we are being let down by unimaginative people in power.
I read somewhere that they would like all buildings to be an equal height as in Florence, well we are not in Florence we are in Bristol and we are being dominated by a group of people which numbers less than two hundred.”
by Tim, Bristol
Monday, November 02 2009, 8:04PM
“True, the Civic Society folks have done a lot of great work and I've seen a lot of really good and constructive comments on planning applications from them, but their apparent obsession with (preventing) height has also done considerable damage to the cityscape, favouring unattractive bulky buildings that are all more or less the same height as their surroundings. Case in point is the (original) Temple Quarter area, but take also the new residential tower 'The Eye' there: it's completely unproportionate to its surroundings and just looks silly, like a prop from 'honey I shrunk the kids'. 3-5 more stories would have been perfect, but would allegedly have distracted from Temple Meads station...”