What happened to the Bishopston Society web site?!

The Bishopston Society’s website closed on 29/11/23 following the closure of the organisation itself in October 2019. It had been established as an amenity society in 2002 amid concern in Bishopston, Bristol, UK, about local planning applications. It worked to “secure the character, conservation, development and improvement of local amenities and other features of historic, social, environmental or public interest, and to inform and engage the public in the geography, history, natural history, environment and architecture of our area.”

Its 17 year history featured successful lobbying and advocacy around local planning matters, a popular series of wide-ranging public meetings, and partnership with other community organisations as well as public institutions and politicians. A busy, informative website was coupled with social media and photographic expertise and other web-based innovations including a unique planning portal. Members enjoyed a lively and informative newsletter series, consultations and mutual support as a membership organisation.

In later years, Bishopston Society extended its remit to economic and cultural aspects of its local community.

It thrived due to solely voluntary effort, with no public subsidy or grant aid, its only monetary resources being from membership fees.

Closure became inevitable due to competing pressures on volunteer organisers’ time, resulting in an unsustainable reduction in the capacity of the managing group and insufficient person-power.

The Society’s assets were however held in reserve for several years in case new impetus emerged, with or without a new name and/or refocused goals. This remains the case. Dwindling cash means the legacy web site had to be taken down, but an opportunity to preserve an electronic archive of the Society’s work, as well as a paper-based archive, has been secured.

Are you interested in this legacy in any way, or its possible succession or long-term preservation? All enquiries are welcome via legacy@bishopstonsociety.org.uk.