News / Baltic Wharf
Tree funeral takes place at Baltic Wharf
A group connected by their love of the green space on Baltic Wharf, and shared outrage at its demise, gathered on Monday afternoon to mourn.
The Baltic Wharf Caravan Club Campsite closed permanently on Monday as the Caravan Club‘s lease came to an end.
This means that the upcoming private housing development on the former Campsite draws ever near.
is needed now More than ever
As the caravan park closed, dozens gathered to protest the upcoming felling of around 70 trees that will be done to make room for 166 new flats.
The funeral was organised by Anita Bennet, a previous participant in a protest to save the M32 maples.
Alongside Anna were several local residents, members of the Bristol Tree Forum, long-serving environmentalists and ‘tree brides’ – a group of women who married the threatened trees in 2021 in a gesture of solidarity.
The Baltic Wharf caravan park closed for good on Monday
Bristol 24/7 spoke to local residents Martin Rands, John Tarlton and Jeanie Scott about the upcoming private housing development.
They believe the site, described as a brownfield site by Bristol City Council, should be defined as a green space.
Scott was particularly disturbed that tree felling take place despite the council having a near Green majority (34 out of 70 councillors are Green) and Tarlton stressed that, while promises had previously been made to plant 162 trees in place of the 70 to be felled, only 37 tree planting sites had been located so far.
A tree bride mourned while looking out onto the water
During the event, one speaker held the hand of her autistic son as she highlighted the need for green spaces for disabled adults their carers.
Other speakers raised concerns about the safety of the proposed development, as the former Caravan Club site was previously recognised as a flood risk by the Environment Agency, although the agency have now removed their objection.
Local artist Gaby Solly made “tree bones” to illustrate the tree felling
There was a tangible feeling of frustration and loss at the gathering epitomised by the “tree bones” made by local artist Gaby Solly, which were placed down beside the tree brides adorned in black.
As the bones were laid down, attendees spoke about their anxieties about what precedent the Baltic Wharf development sets for other green spaces in Bristol, including Clifton Down and College Green.
The upcoming loss of the green space was keenly felt by many at the event
To close the event, a poem was read by Siobhan Kierans, the organiser of the 2021 tree bride ceremony.
She said: “Have you heart, wood-cutter? Have the people who sent you?”
All photos: Rob Browne
Read Next:
- Tree brides return to Baltic Wharf
- Baltic Wharf homes will put people of Bristol at risk of death
- Baltic Wharf changes approved
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