City 'selling heritage to the highest bidder'
MORE than 100 campaigners supported a rally at the weekend to fight moves to close one of Portishead's last remaining High Street farms.
The protest in the precinct was part of a campaign to save Court House Farm after Bristol City Council announced it was putting it up for auction in May.
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Members of the Save Court House Farm campaign are urging the city council to halt the sale and open up discussions about the possibility of turning the site into a community farm and heritage centre.
Rita Baker, 37, is leading the campaign. She said: "I have lived in Portishead all my life and watched it grow and grow.
"I am not against development but I take issue with our history and I feel very strongly about safeguarding the future of the farm."
Those taking part dressed in medieval costumes to highlights the town's history through the ages and the group chose Jerusalem to sing as its campaign song.
The rally was also a chance to look for skilled people to help form a committee to save it.
Campaigner Pat Gardner, 52, said: "It is a scandal that the council is planning to sell off this farm – it is like they are selling off Portishead's family silver.
"This farm is part of our heritage and people want to see the older parts of Portishead retained."
Young campaigners included Tessa Whitfield, 16, and Hannah Hughes, 17, who dressed as cows.
Tessa said: "There are so few green spaces in Portishead and it is really important we keep this one.
"I can remember stopping there to see the animals as a child."
A petition with at least 3,000 signatures was due to be handed to Bristol City Council by Rita yesterday afternoon. She said: "Selling off land for development is not always the viable option and we want to hold open talks with the council to discuss alternative options."
Seven hundred people have also joined a campaign on Facebook to save the farm.
2 Comments
by Local Person, Clevedon
Thursday, March 11 2010, 6:07PM
“Yet another reason for the constantly moaning residents of Portishead to get on their soapbox. I await a rebuff from the ever vocal Ms Hennessey!”
by Rina Vergano, Nailsea
Thursday, March 11 2010, 4:16PM
“This historic farm could have a great future as a mixed-use building housing a community farm and much needed arts centre for North Somerset. There is at present no arts centre in the whole of North Somerset - between Bristol in the North and Taunton in the South - with theatre, office space for creative industries, gallery, film-house, workshop space for artists, young people's music rehearsal & recording space etc. ! With imagination and flair and the right group of people, a project similar to the historic Tithe Barn in Nailsea could be set up and the whole site including outbuildings could be sensitively developed using Lottery funding. These ancient buildings can rise again from disuse and become a vibrant focal point for a contemporary community that needs a thriving multi-purpose arts centre at its heart, for use by all age groups. All that's lacking is vision on the part of Bristol City Council: the same council that tried to demolish the former Tobacco Factory block in Southville. It was only the passionate intervention and inspired vision of architect George Fergusson that saved the building, which has gone on to bring about a renaissance of that whole corner of Bedminster: a piece of brilliant urban renewal. Instead of being a "burden" to Bristol City Council, Court House Farm could be an asset - a thriving arts centre for that whole community that also brings in revenue.
As North Somerset's leading arts development agency, Theatre Orchard Project would certainly be interested in using the building as a base and helping to develop it over time into an asset for the community of North Somerset.
Sincerely
Rina Vergano
artistic director
Theatre Orchard Project”