A member of the community put a notice on the two bus stops on the estate calling a meeting to protest about proposed changes in the bus service – this was in 2021
A group was formed who later became the Ashton Vale Suffragettes
They organised meetings with the Council, the local Mayor and the Regional Mayor as well as the bus company to try to find out what the reasons were behind proposed changes and what could be done to improve matters.
The group didn’t get the kind of hearing they expected and they joined with other groups involved in local bus campaigns. They joined in with national Reclaim our Buses protests.
They had a sit in.
They designed a poster, a leaflet, sent letters and carried out the walk of shame bringing everyone along to demonstrate how difficult it was for residents to walk the distance to the nearest bus route. A film was made of the walk and the women engaged with local reporters and BBC and independent tv crews to get their points across.
Most importantly, they supported each other.
April 2023 – two buses have been introduced as a result of the women’s actions.
Things turned out well the Ashton Vale Suffragettes say, because they were determined and they stuck together. They also found that the support and encouragement they received from Bristol Older People’s Forum helped them to become better activists.
The Ashton Vale Suffragettes are currently involved in a review process with First Bus and have had two meetings so far. The Suffragettes have alongside them, som neighbours from the Stapleton Village Action group who are going through the same struggle to get a bus service re instated. The campaign, therefore, continues!
Ashton Vale Suffragettes
If you have any questions, you can contact the author on bopf@ageukbristol.org.uk (to contact the Ashton Vale Suffragettes)
