Larry the Cat Thanks to our MP Darren Jones MP and counsellors @henry_michallat and John Goulandris who have supported us through a long and complex campaign to save parkland for public use. Their support has been invaluable.

Cotham School has responded to the ICO's finding that its spy cameras at Stoke Lodge breach UK data protection laws. It says it will continue to use them but will install signs to make the cameras 'overt'. Some comments 🧵:

On 5 Oct 2022 Cotham School claimed it installed covert spy cams at Stoke Lodge specifically on the advice of Avon and Somerset Police. This was later contradicted by ASP in media statement. Here is the formal letter from the Police & Crime Commissioner which debunks the school’s false claim:

“The erection of a fence… as well as the use of CCTV has angered many in the community”. Avon and Somerset Police told Cotham from the start its fence was provocative. The community has repeatedly been the victim of Cotham’s hostile attitude.

If they put this through quietly because they think we’ve stopped watching they’ll find out that they’re wrong Marvin Rees Bristol City Council

Cotham School Why did you put a fence around Stoke Lodge?

We’re delighted to announce the launch of our new blog, where we’ll explain in more detail why the case for registering Stoke Lodge as a Town or Village Green is so strong and why it matters to Bristol. Visit us at welovestokelodge.blog and keep an eye out for regular updates!

The latest post on our new blog resonates with today’s news about Yew Tree Farm: each of these campaigns matters to us all because THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENS - incrementally, by flawed decision-making behind the scenes, costs & delay. #StandTogether welovestokelodge.blog/2023/05/10/why…

‘This is how we lose access to green space all around Bristol…incrementally, by flawed decision-making behind the scenes combined with costs and delay that eventually force community groups to give up. Well we don’t intend to do that.’ welovestokelodge.blog/2023/05/10/why…

I wanted to thank you busy people at We 💚 Stoke Lodge 🍃💚🍃 for these blogs- they’ve made such a difference to my understanding of what’s been going on, and for my friends too - we chat through them over coffee. We wish you all the best on 28th. X

Odd that Nicola Beech has chosen to use what happened yesterday to try to score a political point but has chosen to ignore the the causes of PAUSED Ed Plowden @edplowden.bsky.social PAUSED 's decision - which are very worrying. Perhaps the time has come for a scrutiny committee to be set up to investigate this?

I know the school left the gates open which helped (they were never in the right places) but whether it’s them or whoever it is that moved panels to allow us to exercise at a safe distance in Covid, the gaps are so useful for accessing shops, bus stop etc. Thankyou.

@Na73Dog Colin Boyle Ripped Off By Redrow Bristol Green Party Dan Bruce This is a complete lie. We have all discussed the family dispute openly since the beginning. It’s always been a major part of the fight to save the farm. Stop spreading misinformation. Here’s ample proof to discredit your false claim from just a 2 min search of my tweets.

Another green space defended from academy land grab: Pboro Council compromise: less land leased to school, retaining open space. “If they are an educational trust that is meant to be there for the community, they need to be listening to the community.” 👍🏻 peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/…

It sounds as though the Inspector didn’t think much of Cotham School’s objections either. Cotham claimed Bristol City Council had failed to demonstrate the land was special to the community but oh yes, there’ve been years of TVG applications & it’s currently registered as one? 🤦🏻

Another attempt to manipulate the law fails. Nothing has gone their way in 18 months.

At the Local Plan hearings Cotham School’s head claimed that they were not consulted about Stoke Lodge being Local Green Space & said locals “somehow knew” about the 2019 consultation but she didn’t. Which makes this 👇🏻 tricky to explain. More on our blog welovestokelodge.blog/2025/03/30/loc…

Anyone who uses and loves Stoke Lodge Park in Stoke Bishop should not be intimidated by Cotham School or the fence the school is putting up and the rumours the school is spreading. Simply walking, jogging, meeting friends, including with well behaved dogs, is not an offence.

Stoke fear. Exploit desperation. Suspend the rule of law. Fan brutality. Every time the stronger brutalize the weak, it’s fundamentally the same playbook. Our duty is to stand up to brutality. Our moral obligation is to protect the vulnerable and hold the powerful accountable.

To everyone who is returning to a new half term in school tomorrow: Remember, it's a privilege to work with children. Remember, there should be joy in teaching and learning. There's always lots of noise in education but don't let the noise stifle the joy or dim the light.