Many strands of work are under way. Working groups have been formed. Work is being done!
The second meeting had some new faces with lots of brilliant contacts and ideas, and as always, memories and stories of Turbo Island and it’s importance to various locals and communities.
We’ve started to collect some of these, as they will be useful for all sorts of things- from the potential application for village green status to showing it’s wider value to the community and garnering support. If you have photos, videos, or memories you can send as voice notes or written please do! Send them through to email hidden; JavaScript is required and if you can tell us the year the image, story etc refers to that would be extra useful. (Any other offers of expert advice, volunteer time for talking to community members, helping with social media etc also gratefully accepted at the same address or via @save.turbo.island on Instagram)
We’re preparing now for the next meeting tonight, starting on Turbo Island itself at 6. We’ll be meeting under the gaze of a new artwork which appeared last night: French street artist James Colomina has installed a red child in a dunces cap overlooking Turbo.
Colomina says: “This piece portrays a child wearing a dunce hat, representing those who are isolated, shunned, or those who simply don’t fit into society’s boxes. It is a symbol for the stigmatised minorities among us.
Turbo island is a fond landmark to many Bristolians. This installation on a little patch of tarmac in Stokes Croft takes on a stronger meaning knowing that the ‘Island’ is to be put up for auction. The sculpture questions the value we place on these spaces and those who frequent them, while questioning how society can ignore these realities.
Turbo Island must be saved.”
Beautifully put. As James said to me, this isn’t just a nationally important and renowned site, it’s known around the world. As witnessed in this Time Out article, which combines Stokes Croft and St Paul’s as the 6th coolest neighbourhood in the world, specifically saying “…and you might even spot a rogue firepit at Turbo Island.”
Together we can save Turbo Island for the people, for the future!
