The Lord Mayor uncovers the secrets of the Downs

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Simon Cook, will be launching a set of six, beautifully illustrated, interpretation panels at The Observatory, on Thursday 10 June at 12 noon, joined by children from Christchurch School. The new panels will be situated at various points across the Downs and will introduce visitors to the rare and interesting plants and animals of the Avon Gorge and Downs - one of Bristol’s best wildlife sites.

As one of the partners in the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project, Bristol Zoo Gardens applied to Hemmings Waste Management Ltd and Copus for funding to create the panels. In addition to two panels located next to The Observatory, one stands beside the Clifton Buttress of the Suspension Bridge, one at the top of Blackboy Hill, one along the meadow footpath and one at the peregrine watch point.

Mandy Leivers, Avon Gorge and Downs Biodiversity Education Officer said ‘Thanks to the considerable donation of £26,000 from Hemmings we have been able to bring the secrets of the Avon Gorge and Downs to life. Many people who currently use the Downs are unaware of the diversity of wildlife that exists in the area. Hopefully the new interpretation will encourage more people to explore the Downs and become excited about the wildlife on their doorstep’.