History of the Trust
Background
The Upper Horfield Community Trust began in 1999 when a group of residents approached the local Primary School teacher because they were concerned about the decline of the community due to predominantly by the deterioration of the local council housing stock and the unsuccessful attempts to rebuild by the City Council. The area was becoming neglected, run down, part derelict and generally a very depressing area in which to live. Residents were becoming despondent, fed up and very disheartened at the awful state that they were living in and there were no signs of any regeneration projects beginning.
Les Fry at the Primary School head teacher and the local residents sought advice from Bristol City Council's community Development Team and established the Upper Horfield Community Trust, a company limited by guarantee, with the aim to establish activities for the local residents and a community centre as a focus for the area.
During the first year, the Trustees liased with statutory and other voluntary agencies to raise their profile. They created a Business Plan which was based on informal consultation with residents on the estate. Visits were made to other community centres to enlighten them as to what was possible and a grant was applied for to run their first Holiday Playscheme for local Children at Eden Grove Methodist Church hall.
Our First Premises
In January 2001, after much persistence and lobbying, Bristol City Council allowed the trust to take up a temporary lease in two empty houses on Montreal Avenue which were in line for demolition once the regeneration begun. We are so pleased!
Avon & Somerset Probation Service supported us right through the project. We secured a £10,000 Development Grant form Bristol City Council to convert the almost derelict properties into one and to employ our first part time, 15 hours per week Development Worker. The Probation service carried out all the redecoration works and it took many, many freezing cold, wet weekends until we were ready to open the doors to the Community.
David Jones, Our Development Worker began to establish activities for the new centre. Before long we had an Over 50's group meeting weekly, a young mothers support group, a youth night, a Saturday art club for over 8's and several lifelong learning courses including computer courses and cake decorating.
The Next Step
It was from 73-75 Montreal Avenue that we gained Charitable status, secured a longer term plot of land to place our new temporary building and were successful in securing a £55k Community Fund lottery grant and £100k form the Lockleaze Neighborhood Renewal programme and £25k from the Bristol Children's Fund to continue our Holiday Playscheme work. We are on our way!!!
Eden Grove Methodist Church
Our new home as of September 2003 was an office base on the grounds of Eden Grove Methodist Church. Our new building was ready to be ordered from Elliott Group Ltd. We selected the layout, colours, kitchen and toilets and placed our order Once planning permission was sought.
On Tuesday 15th June we were handed the keys to our new building.
