Three months since our green space strategy was approved we have been working in conjunction with Cirencester Development Partnership to start to deliver on the strategy’s aspirations.

During the consultation undertaken for the strategy it became evident that residents didn’t ‘just want something to be done about it’ but wanted to be involved in the decision making process and help on a practical level. To this end we are beginning to set up a number of ‘Friends of Groups’ for key spaces; the Abbey Grounds, City Bank and the Amphitheatre Complex.

The Abbey Grounds Friends Group have already met a number of times and are focusing their energy on helping create a community management plan as well as a number of practical projects. The group meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month and all are welcome. If you would like to get involved with the management plan or practical projects please contact Martin Conyers on Email: lmo@cirencester.gov.uk or Tel: 01285 655646.

We held the first open meeting on 26^th January 2012 to discuss starting the Friends of City Bank Group. The group have agreed to continue meeting and want to get involved in environmental practical projects and bringing the Old Nursery Site back into use once the transfer from CDC is complete. The next meeting will be held in March (date and time TBC). If you would like to receiving information on the next meeting or get involved in the future of City Bank please contact Jamie Walton by Email: ucdo@cirencester.gov.uk or Tel: 01285 655646.

We would like to start a Friends of Amphitheatre Group soon. If you would like to be involved in this please contact Hannah Sturman by Email: picnicthinking@hotmail.co.uk or Tel: 07872 396076.

Consultation also showed us that the key priority areas for residents including improving the Amphitheatre Complex and City Bank so this is where we have focused our energies.

Exciting plans are starting to take shape based on the strategy for the Amphitheatre Complex, particularly around the Obelisk – we will shortly be undertaking public consultation on these so watch this space!

We are also working hard to bring the Old Nursery at City Bank back into the town’s ownership and hope to see results on this shortly.

To view the Cirencester Green Spaces Strategy and Annex, Amphitheatre Action Plan and City Bank Action Plan, please click on the links.

For further information on any of the above, please contact our consultant, Hannah Sturman at Picnic Thinking, either by Email: picnicthinking@hotmail.co.uk or Tel: 07872 396 076.

Images courtesy of Patrick Wise.