Shire's Big Picnic was a roaring success!
I would just like to give a huge thanks to everyone who helped in making Shire’s Big Picnic such a roaring success. On Saturday 25th July, Shirehampton held its Big Picnic – as a demonstration to the Council of just how much local residents value the Daisy Field and Lamplighters Land, and what a travesty it would be to give them up to building development. Well over 200 people came along with rugs, picnics and families – and we even got the sunshine!
I would particularly like to thank Shirehampton Village Bakery for generously donating a large tray of ( very popular) doughnuts, The Lamplighters Pub for their unstinting practical help and support, Shirehampton News for donating their lollipops, everyone who helped publicise the event, and everybody who turned up to make it such a special day.
The Lamplighters land is very much valued by the community
The picnic was not only a fun day out for all the family, it achieved several things:
First, it was a formidable demonstration of how the people of Shirehampton value this land, and what a dreadful mistake it would be to sell it off to developers.
Second, it showed just how much accumulated wisdom is held in the local community. We distributed leaflets asking every picnic-goer to write to the Council with specific, factual reasons why the land should not be built on – and the in depth knowledge about the land and its history that emerged in conversation was incredible – the Council would do well to listen to the real local experts.
Finally it proves that all you need to have a wonderful day out is a bit of sunshine, a rug and a picnic – and some green open space in which to enjoy our beautiful part of the world and the company of your community, friends and family.
Many people said to me that they’d like to see Shire’s Big Picnic become an annual event. Let’s hope that the Council abandons any plans to develop this land, and makes Shire’s Big Picnic possible for many years to come.
If you haven’t already, you can sign Cllr. Siobhan Kennedy-Hall’s petition to protect the land by clicking HERE.
Have you signed up to protect the Lamplighters open space yet?
