New to Bristol?

I'm looking for a story of someone who has come to Bristol recently, within the last two years, with an interest in sustainability, environmental issues and general good community living. How have you found it? Is Bristol the UK's Green Capital? If you went looking for like minded souls was it easy enough? If you have a story to tell, or you know someone who has, please contact me, emily@brightcanopy.co.uk. Your story may feature in an upcoming book about good living in Bristol. Many thanks Emily

Hey Emily...I'm new to Bristol. Perhaps too new?? I've only been here since 1st December - my boyfriend and I moved down from London because I got a job with the Soil Association. 

As I haven't been here long I haven't had time to put into action all my plans to for getting a social life...however I do feel pretty in the loop.

Before I came down I was tipped off to join the Bristol Permaculture Group's mailing list and I have also joined the Transition Bristol list. This means I have a fair idea of lots of good things going on - even if I haven't been to any YET! I also joined the Freeconomy forum and EcoJam and befriended anyone I could on Facebook with Bristol connections! And we bought the Self-Sufficientish Bible which is useful anyway but has also encouraged us to keep an eye out for the recommendations given for Bristolians.

I'm lucky to live off Whiteladies Road where Transition Redland (who I will be getting to know soon I hope) run a farmers market. Their webpage also filled me in on other things in the area - like their orchard. There are also good shops - like Wild Oats and Sheepdrove Farm Shop nearby. There was an organic grocers but they are just closing  

The council's webpages were useful in working out about recycling and food waste collection - although they keep changing their collection days. They did mixed colletion in my area of London and although they are still kind of mixed here it's good they expect you to seperate stuff out. But they aren't very good on plastics and tetra paks. It's good to have food waste collection, though I hope to get a wormery, or compost bin soon.

Transport in Bristol is pretty crap - there is loads of traffic, and the buses are slow, unreliable and expensive compared to London. But there are enough of them to get you most places. And of course Bristol is small enough to walk most places centrally - I can walk to work which is great. I have got a bike but haven't used it here yet - partly because of the killer hills, partly because I haven't felt the need, and partly because people say the traffic here is a bit unforgiving to cyclists - as it probably is everywhere. I'm a wuss.

Working for the Soil Association has also helped me meet like minded people. Lots of people go to the Wednesday Farmers Market at St Nics, I go every week - it's a really great market, but I wish there was a bit more Organic veg and meat around. Someone at work went on a Hobbs House bakery course and gave me some sour dough starter, so that was grand too. Through my job I'm going to be meeting lots of interesting people - Green Capital Momentum group, Stoke Park CSA and Story CSAs, the FCFCG and City Farms, and Council officers involved in developing parks and green spaces.

When we came down looking for a flat we went to Bordeaux Quay a couple of times, which I knew about through a Making Local Food Work conference in Bristol. Yummy! We also explored Gloucester Road where there are other great shops. In fact, before coming down, to plan where we might like to live, I made a Google Map of all the cool places we knew about - all the good food shops and all the places to pick up City Car Club cars if we join, plus post offices, cinemas, theatres etc I can share it with you if you like

Ramble ramble. Get in touch if you'd like to talk more.

Bonnie

07816858053

WOW Bonnie, you have got off to a flying start heh! Thanks for your response. I will give you a ring in a few days. Best Emily