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# Friends of Brislington Brook

We are a group of like-minded people all living in BS4, who want to enhance and look after the very special green spaces of Nightingale Valley and St Annes Woods.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/blog/) - Read about upcoming events and see how you can get involved.
- [Water Health Guardians unite!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/water-health-guardians-unite/) - Due to growing concerns about the levels of sewage in Brislington Brook, a new FoBB subgroup has emerged. Water Health Guardians aim to use political pressure, building partnerships and developing the water testing protocol to hold water companies and others who pollute the brook accountable. Political Pressure Bristol City Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Policy Committee
- [St Anne's celebration and naming the dragon!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/st-annes-celebration-and-naming-the-dragon/) - On Sunday 26th July, Friends of Brislington Brook invited our local community along to celebrate St Anne’s Day. And what a day it was! St Anne’s Wood has long been a site of pilgrimage. In 1276, Roger de Warr founded the Chapel of St-Anne-in-the-Wood, a daughter chapel of Keynsham Abbey, which rose to great
- [Developing a water testing protocol](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/developing-a-water-testing-protocol/) - Despite the continued great work of Riverfly Monitors Toby and Giorgia, and water health monitors Claire and Kels, the Wessex Water claim highlights that we will need to develop a water testing protocol which provides irrefutable evidence of the presence of sewage in the brook. Part of this has included Toby working on a Geographic
- [Clean up your act!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/clean-up-your-act/) - Not only is the Brislington Brook incredibly biodiverse but it ranks, sadly, as South Bristol’s most polluted waterway. Campaigns are afoot. So at the start of June, Jackie and Claire led a group of FoBBers to meet with local Councillors Andrew Varney and Tim Kent to begin exploring options on how best to make a
- [Changes and well-deserved awards](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/changes-and-well-deserved-awards/) - All change! Not only has Giorgia made the BioBlitz happen again this year, but she also continues to work tirelessly alongside Oliver in the allotment, join the goat team in regular health check-ups (including delivery of a new salt lick in the hot weather) and undertake monthly riverfly surveys in the Brook… all whilst working
- [Bioblitz 2026](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/bioblitz-2026/) - As part of the Great Big Green Week 2026, we hosted our annual Bioblitz, between the 12th and 13th of June, - 24hrs of counting every species we could in St Annes Wood. The event kicked off with an evening Bat Walk on Friday, we were very pleased to have had Miguel from the Avon
- [Green Week 2026](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/green-week-2026/) - For anyone wanting more volunteering/green goodness this year’s Green Week runs from 6th-19th June and there’s lots to get involved in – and lots of opportunities to sample other areas and groups in our wider area. Check out the poster below, or see more information about each event on the Green Week webpage.
- [Balsam Bashing Begins!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/balsam-bashing-begins/) - Sadly, with the arrival of the summer there is also the return of FoBB’s nemesis: Himalayan Balsam, one of the UK’s most aggressive invasive plants. This prolific plant - notable for its unusual three-leafed triangular form - can grow to 3m tall, outcompeting everything around it for light. This leads to a monoculture habitat, which
- [A Bid to Increase Biodiversity: Creating a Wetland Wildflower Meadow](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/a-bid-to-increase-biodiversity-creating-a-wetland-wildflower-meadow/) - It has long been my dream to create a wetland wildflower meadow in the St Anne’s Valley. When I applied for the CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) grant I had this in mind. In addition to requesting funding for the dragon sculpture, the container/tool shed and tools, I applied for £450 to spend on wetland wildflower
- [Egg-cellent Adventures!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/egg-cellent-adventures/) - The Easter Bunny left an egg-citing nature trail around Nightingale Valley over the Easter holidays. Posters of different types of eggs laid by a variety of animals that call the valley their home were hidden around the footpath, and we hope that interesting facts were learnt by all. Who knew that stickleback fish make nests
- [A springtime update!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/a-springtime-update/) - Once again, even when the depths of winter’s relentless wet onslaught seems to make the idea of new life and beginnings an impossibility… here we are! So green, so new. Bluebells, Wild Garlic, blossom, - a symphony of sights, smells and sounds. Talking of which… Everybody's Heard... About the Bird... Despite a downpour of rain at 5am
- [Goat Life - an update](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/goat-life-an-update/) - Our pair of resident bramble eaters continue their mission to reclaim some of the Lichfield Road slopes of St Anne’s Wood from the overgrown undergrowth. The vision is to carefully open up the space (as it was some years ago) making it safer and more welcoming for people. Along the way we’re hoping to find
- [Come join our Easter Egg Trail!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/come-join-our-easter-egg-trail/) - Back by popular demand, brilliantly orchestrated by Nadia and generously supported by the Family Shopper team, the FoBB Easter Holiday Treasure Trail is back… and prizes are available! A great excuse to get out and about over the Easter break we hope to see you around. Running from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th April, we're
- [March work party report](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/march-work-party-report/) - It was a beautiful early spring morning on Sunday 9th March, chilly but bright, and the sun was dappling through the trees. It was a pleasure to be in Nightingale Valley. The primary focus of the work party was bramble bashing. A group of us set about tackling the brambles that have taken hold near the electricity pylon at
- [Allotment update](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/allotment-update/) - In January of this year, FoBB took on an allotment at The Rock, overlooking Nightingale Valley. We’ve called it the ‘Secret Garden’: firstly, because it is in such a beautiful, tranquil setting and, secondly, because no one seems to know where The Rock allotments are! It’s just off Allison Road, by the way. Our intention is to
- [An update on our goats](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/an-update-on-our-goats/) - On your travels you may well come across the two newest members of the FoBB team. On loan from the excellent Street Goat, Doe and Buck (other names are available) are already on to their second bramble enclosure in St Anne’s Wood, managing the space for better access for people and preparing the ground for the
- [Dawn chorus walk coming up in April!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/dawn-chorus-walk-coming-up-in-april/) - We are offering our annual Dawn Chorus Walk in St Annes Wood! Join us on 11th April at 5.30am to enjoy the morning spectacle. Back for the third-year running, two local bird enthusiasts (Georgia and Russell) will lead a guided walk exploring local bird song, teach you how to identify some birds by their song,
- [February newsletter](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/february-newsletter/) - February's (brief) sunshine… brings hope for spring! Welcome to the Friends of Brislington Brook newsletter for February. The start of spring is nigh and as FOBB Vice Chair Jackie has spotted…it's all happening in St Anne's Woods! The fruiting bodies of scarlet elf cup are in their usual place, growing on the decaying sycamore. Yellow brain fungus is
- [Some goatally great allotment news!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/some-goatally-great-allotment-news/) - Work on the FOBB plot at The Rock Allotments just off Allison Road kicked off on the 7th when James led a Duke of Edinburgh group to start clearing the brambles. They made a good start, clearing sufficient space to allow FOBB allotment expert Martin to start digging up the bramble roots and getting some
- [The dragon has landed!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/the-dragon-has-landed/) - Andy O’Neill, the wood sculptor responsible for carving the Dragon has finished the first stage of his work and what an impact this has made already. He has received more than 300 likes on his Instagram and the positive response from adults and children alike in the woods has been brilliant. We all have nothing but
- [Making use of Nature's resources](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/making-use-of-natures-resources/) - Plans for an exciting new creative project in Nightingale Valley
- [The Spirit of the Well](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/the-spirit-of-the-well/) - Learn all about this hidden landmark, deep in St Anne's Woods.
- [January newsletter and important dates for your diary!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/january-newsletter-and-important-dates-for-your-diary/) - Hello friends! January is finally almost over, after what feels like a 17-week month. Firstly, the great news: on Wednesday 4th February from 7-9pm in the cafe at St Anne's House, FoBB is holding our Yearly Planning Meeting. Let’s be honest, none of us like meetings, so we aim to make it as interactive and enjoyable as
- [Colour-changing streams](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/colour-changing-streams/) - Everything you need to know about the sometimes-green Brook.
- [Nature diary: February](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/nature-diary-february/) - The end of the Winter may still feel like it's a little while from now, but for nature in the valley, February is prime time for early starters to get ready for the times of growth and bounty to come.
- [December 2025 newsletter](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/december-2025-newsletter/) - Duck! Here comes another year. Welcome to the Friends of Brislington Brook December newsletter – cutting it a little fine on the 31st of December true – but… fresh off the press for the New Year! In this month's edition... Allotment update The Benefits of Volunteering Upcoming dates for your diary If there's something you'd
- [November 2025 Newsletter](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/november-2025-newsletter/) - Nothing lasts forever... even cold November rain! Welcome to the Friends of Brislington Brook November newsletter – albeit going out here on 1st December when autumn has very much given way to winter! In this month's edition... AGM – new officers appointed CIL Grant update by Jackie Interpretation Board installed Woodland Trust Tree Planting Coming
- [October 2025 Newsletter](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/october-2025-newsletter/) - Welcome to the Friends of Brislington Brook October newsletter! In this month's edition... AGM - Nov 5th 2025 - Save the date! Community Allotments by Geoff Update on the Woodland Trust Tree Grant by Jackie St Anne’s Wood Brookside Trail by Jackie Reflections on a Year of Being Chair by Jo Musings by Jackie FoBB
- [July - August 2025 newsletter](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/july-august-2025-newsletter/) - In this month's edition, we recap our summer social, show off a new picnic table, and look ahead to our AGM the future of FOBB.
- [June 2025 newsletter](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/june-2025-newsletter/) - Read Friends of Brisligton Brook's June 2025 newsletter
- [Nightingale Valley: The Future](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/nightingale-valley-the-future/) - A report by Geoff Thomas On Saturday 11th January, Jackie, Jo, Andy and I met with the new owners of the Coach House and Stables and land in Nightingale Valley, Andy Kemp and his business partner. We met them at Hill Lawn and then walked around the area of the tar barrels while discussing their
- [Meeting with Kerry McCarthy, 21st November 2024](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/meeting-with-kerry-mccarthy-21st-november-2024/) - On 21st November, Friends of Brislington Brook’s Chair, Jo Bushell, and Vice Chair, Jackie Friel, met with local MP, Kerry McCarthy. As you may know, Kerry is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero). She was accompanied by her Chief Communications Officer, James Austin. The purpose of the meeting was
- [Land in Nightingale Valley now sold](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/land-in-nightingale-valley-now-sold/) - As you may be aware, the land in question sold at auction last night to a certain Mr K. It sold for £452,000. We're now moving on to the next phase. We'll endeavour to identify, make contact with, and negotiate with the new landowner. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your
- [Tree Preservation Orders and Right of Way updates](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tree-preservation-orders-and-right-of-way-updates/) - Our campaign is gaining traction! Here's what we've achieved so far. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) On the 11th Oct, one of our campaign volunteers made an application to Bristol City Council for the London Plane and other trees to be protected by TPOs. BCC came back to us yesterday saying that it was at the
- [Notice of our 2024 Annual General Meeting](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/notice-of-our-2024-annual-general-meeting/) - On November 6th at 7pm we are holding our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in The Langton to report back to our community about what we have been doing last year and to elect new officers. We have done a lot this year, and it is always fun to look back and see what we did.
- [FOBB – Tar Barrels and Pollution in Nightingale Valley](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/fobb-tar-barrels-and-pollution-in-nightingale-valley/) - It looks like the barrels have been there far longer than we first suspected. There is photographic evidence from the 1930, as shown above. The picture on the left is taken from Google Earth, the one on the right is an aerial shot from the 1930s. It isn’t easy to make out but you can
- [Sale of land in Nightingale Valley](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/sale-of-land-in-nightingale-valley/) - Two-and-a-half acres of Nightingale Valley is to be sold at auction on 20th November 2024. Friends of Brislington Brook seek to raise awareness about this matter. The land forms part of a larger plot of six acres, three-and-a-half of which is on the flat at the top of the valley: https://www.hollismorgan.co.uk/property-details/33414365/bristol-city/bristol/wick-road-1 The general public perception
- [We've been featured on BBC News!](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/weve-been-featured-on-bbc-news/) - This week we were lucky to have a visit from BBC News, interviewing our chairman Andy about our recent efforts to control the Himalayan Balsam growing in St Anne's Woods.

## Pages

- [Friends of Brislington Brook](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/) - Friends of Brislington Brook is a volunteer group that cares for Nightingale Valley and St Anne's Wood in BS4, East Bristol.
- [Events](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/events/) - Events Join us on our monthly conservation work parties or learn about the wildlife and history of the woods on a guided walk. Join a volunteering session Come with us on a walk around St Anne's Woods or Nightingale Valley, and (depending on the season) we'll be litter-picking, bramble bashing, or pulling up invasive Himalayan
- [Donate](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/donate/) - Donations gratefully received Much of the work that Friends of Brislington Brook does relies on funding - whether from grants, fundraising events, or donations from members of the public. Examples of what we have used our funds for in the past include: Signposts along the brook from Hill Lawn through to the Co-op Maintenance work
- [History](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/history/) - History Brislington Brook has attracted visitors to its leafy glades for centuries. In the late 1200's Roger la Warr founded the Chapel of St Anne-in-the-Wood near a holy well, which was said to have healing powers. Henry VII visited the chapel twice - once in 1486 and again in 1502 with his wife Queen Elizabeth
- [Public Awareness](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/public-awareness/) - Latest updates on the Nightingale Valley campaign Sale of Land in Nightingale Valley: Next Steps Two weeks have passed since Mr K bought the parcel of land in Nightingale Valley. The campaign group has since met to discuss the way forward. The day after the auction (20th November) we contacted Hollis Morgan, the auctioneers, asking
- [News](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/news/) - News Find out what's happening in St Anne's Park and Nightingale Valley, or read our newsletter archive here.
- [About](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/about/) - Friends of Brislington Brook We are a friendly group of local volunteers who help care for Nightingale Valley and St. Anne’s Woods for the benefit of wildlife and the local community. We organise conservation work parties every month with activities include litter picking, bramble control and himalayan balsam pulls. We also run wildlife walks to help
- [The St Anne’s Valleys in the High Medieval Period](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/the-st-annes-valleys-in-the-high-medieval-period/) - This is the first of a series of historical articles about the St Anne’s Valleys: that is, St Anne’s Wood and its sister wood, Nightingale Valley. This article covers the high medieval period, from AD 1000 to 1300. Medieval Land Tenure in the St Anne’s Valleys Prior to the 10th century, Anglo-Saxon England was made
- [Wildlife](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/wildlife/) - Wildlife Nightingale Valley and St. Anne’s Wood are a haven for wildlife in Brislington. They are designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) due to their biodiversity. Plants like wood anemone, dog’s mercury and golden saxifrage indicate an ancient woodland habitat. In spring the hillsides of St. Anne’s Wood become carpeted in bluebells
- [Wildlife-old](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/wildlife-old/) - Wildlife Nightingale Valley and St. Annes Wood are a haven for wildlife in Brislington. The woods are designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) due to their biodiversity. Animals and plants The woods are an important home for breeding birds, foxes and badgers, while the brook supports kingfishers, eels and even otters. In
- [Mammals](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/mammals/) - We are lucky to have a variety of mammals living in and passing through Brislington Brook. Otters Otters regularly pass along the Brook. Although sightings are rare, they leave their calling card in the form of spraint on large rocks above the waterline. It’s easily recognisable by the presence of fish scales and its sweet
- [Contact](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/contact/) - Contact us We'd love to hear from you. Fill in the form below, and we'll get back to you soon. If you'd like to receive regular updates on Friends of Brislington Brook's work via email, you can sign up to our newsletter here.
- [Friends of Brislington Brook Calendar](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/friends-of-brislington-brook-calendar/) - FOBB Calendar of events

## Event feeds

- [Weekend volunteering sessions](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/?event_feed=weekend-volunteering-sessions)
- [Homepage feed](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/?event_feed=homepage-feed)

## Categories

- [Blog](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/category/blog/) - Your blog category
- [History](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/category/history/)
- [News](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/category/news/)
- [Nightingale Valley Campaign](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/category/nightingale-valley-campaign/)
- [Events](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/category/events/)
- [Water Health](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/category/water-health/)

## Tags

- [Nightingale Valley](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/nightingale-valley/)
- [sale](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/sale/)
- [news](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/news/)
- [campaign](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/campaign/)
- [AGM](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/agm/)
- [Newsletters](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/newsletters/)
- [St Anne's Well](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/st-annes-well/)
- [St Anne's Woods](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/st-annes-woods/)
- [sculpture](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/sculpture/)
- [dragon](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/dragon/)
- [goats](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/goats/)
- [street goat](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/street-goat/)
- [allotment](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/allotment/)
- [dawn chorus walk](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/dawn-chorus-walk/)
- [events](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/events/)
- [Easter](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/easter/)
- [Wildflower meadow](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/wildflower-meadow/)
- [Himalayan Balsam](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/himalayan-balsam/)
- [Green Week 2026](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/green-week-2026/)
- [Bioblitz](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/bioblitz/)
- [Awards](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/awards/)
- [River](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/river/)
- [Environment Agency](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/environment-agency/)
- [Clean up our rivers](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/clean-up-our-rivers/)
- [St Anne's Day](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/st-annes-day/)
- [sewage](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/sewage/)
- [Water Health Guardians](https://brislingtonbrook.org.uk/tag/water-health-guardians/)