Overlooked suburb retains its village feel despite urban expansion

Not everyone is familiar with this neighbourhood in North Bristol, and those who don't know Shirehampton often start by asking, 'is that in Bristol? Locally referred to as 'Shire', it has been a part of Bristol for over a century.

The village atmosphere is still palpable in Shirehampton, which feels somewhat isolated from the rest of Bristol due to the surrounding roads and the expansive Kings Weston House estate to the north. Much of the area is designated as a conservation zone, recognising its natural beauty, ancient geology, and historical architecture.

'Shire' is the name of the local newspaper, established by three local churches, and it's hand-delivered to every household in the area. The paper maintains long-standing traditions, including mandatory church updates each montha stipulation written into its constitution fifty years ago.

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Edward Amplett, who has resided in Shirehampton for six decades and serves as the treasurer for the newspaper, commented on the community spirit. "It's retained a lot of its village atmosphere," he shared with BristolLive in June 2023, reports Bristol Live.

He recounted a conversation with a young parent new to the area: "I was chatting to a young parent the other day from south Bristol who recently moved to the area and she said that people will always say 'hello' to you even if they don't know you. It's one of those kinds of areas, obviously there are some tensions at times but it's generally a friendly area."

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, the high street of this British village is quiet with most shops shuttered, yet despite some grumbles about its limited offerings, residents seem to cling to their homes here. Jo Scorrer, who relocated from Henbury to Shirehampton, expressed her contentment with the area and her reluctance to move away.

The local community values the warmth and friendliness found in Shirehampton, and Jo appreciates the amenities available for her children at The Port of Bristol Sports and Community hub (PBA), which offers free meals, holiday activities, fun days, and ample green space for play.

Jo remarked: "It's ideal for the kids because you've got everything."Despite the availability of child-friendly activities at the grade II listed public hall, Jo confesses that she either doesn't know about them or they don't quite suit her children's needs. The PBA has evolved from a private club to a vibrant community centre, attracting visitors from beyond the village borders.

Dan Clifton, the chairman, attributes this influx to the creation of children's football clubs, which is how he came to know the hub in recent years, even though he's been a lifelong resident of the area. Van Papantaniou, hailing from Sea Mills, founded an under-11 football team about a decade ago, and it has flourished, drawing players up to the age of 18.

Van, the founder of Port of Bristol football club, shared with BristolLive last June his journey in developing the club: "We started at Avonmouth, it's a great club but they haven't got the room for growth. When I came here I was given the licence to grow football and it grow very quickly."

"From 11 kids back then to well over 450 now, it's crazy. We've been lucky with the people who've come on board and helped."

"We're still growing, we have three girls' sections now and the aim is for them to be as big as the boy's section. A lot of the kids are from Shire, Lawrence Weston and Henbury but we've got people travelling from places like Brislington now because they've heard of us."

"For me it's not just about football; you're making memories, friendships and building characters that will set you up for life. PBA has grown and now they do great things for the kids."

"The cost is just ridiculous for family days out and with the club doing free family days out it means the parents are in control of the costs. The stuff they're doing like the free kids meals, it's pulling the community closer together, especially the local ones in Shire."