Our story so far
GreenSpace South West is emerging as the leading membership organisation for parks and green spaces within the region. Originally called the ‘South West Parks and Green Spaces Forum’, it was established following an initial meeting in Bristol in September 2004. This meeting was attended by around half of the local authorities in the region, who agreed the need to establish a forum for the region.
Since the initial meeting four ‘Open Meetings’, open to all members have been held per year. Open Meetings are based around topics set by the group, and include presentations question and answer sessions, also offering networking opportunities. Past themes for Open Meetings have included GreenSpace Strategy and Planning, the Green Flag Award scheme, Young People and Play and Networking for GreenSpace Strategies.
Open Meetings are supplemented with quarterly Steering Group meetings, which have been held since April 2006. The steering group was formed from members that offered to represent their county areas, along with the Chair from Bristol City Council. A Natural England representative is also present on this group, to assist with strategic functions. The steering group was assigned to lead and steer the work of the Development Manager and the development of the Forum.
The Forum agreed to brand itself alongside the national organisation to reinforce its links and became GreenSpace South West in March 2005. The group agreed their first Terms of Reference, including mission statement, aims and scope in March 2005, stating that it would be useful to review and modify these as the forum develops. A Development Manager was appointed for six months in October 2007 and in November the first Working Group was formed, to focus on training and skills.
Since the initial meeting four ‘Open Meetings’, open to all members have been held per year. Open Meetings are based around topics set by the group, and include presentations question and answer sessions, also offering networking opportunities. Past themes for Open Meetings have included GreenSpace Strategy and Planning, the Green Flag Award scheme, Young People and Play and Networking for GreenSpace Strategies.
Open Meetings are supplemented with quarterly Steering Group meetings, which have been held since April 2006. The steering group was formed from members that offered to represent their county areas, along with the Chair from Bristol City Council. A Natural England representative is also present on this group, to assist with strategic functions. The steering group was assigned to lead and steer the work of the Development Manager and the development of the Forum.
The Forum agreed to brand itself alongside the national organisation to reinforce its links and became GreenSpace South West in March 2005. The group agreed their first Terms of Reference, including mission statement, aims and scope in March 2005, stating that it would be useful to review and modify these as the forum develops. A Development Manager was appointed for six months in October 2007 and in November the first Working Group was formed, to focus on training and skills.
Geographical Area
GreenSpace South West defines the geographical borders of its operation as the South West covering the sub regions and county areas of Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.If you are not in the South West region, there may be a forum in your area. To find out about other regional forums go to the GreenSpace website regional forums page.