St Pauls, Bristol

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= St Pauls
latitude= 51.4656
longitude= -2.5820
map_type=Bristol
civil_parish=
population =
unitary_england= Bristol
lieutenancy_england=Bristol
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Bristol East
post_town= BRISTOL
postcode_district = BS2
postcode_area= BS
dial_code= 0117
os_grid_reference= ST596742

St Pauls is an inner suburb of Bristol, England, situated just north east of the city centre and west of the M32. In the early 18th century it was laid out as one of Bristol's first suburbs.

History

During the days of the Bristol slave trade, St Pauls was the location of choice for the wealthy slave trading merchants. This is reflected in the now neglected, but once beautiful Georgian architecture.

Its turbulent history has been marked by rapid growth. The area was damaged during World War II followed with large immigration shortly afterwards. Neglect, crime and drugs became common in the area and persist today.

1980s problems

A riot which followed a police raid on the Black and White Café in St Pauls on 2 April, 1980 formed a low point of the area's history. The St Pauls riot started when the police entered the Black and White Café, knowing that the premises was being used for drug dealing. A customer had his trousers ripped and demanded compensation, which the police refused. A crowd outside then refused to allow the police to leave, and when back up was called a riot started. [ [http://members.lycos.co.uk/brisray/bristol/briot.htm Bristol Riots] with the St Pauls riot at the bottom of the page] The riots were quickly blamed on race, but both white and black youths fought against the police and the problems are thought to have been linked instead to poverty and perceived social injustices, predominantly the Sus law prevalent at the time. The Black and White Cafe was closed in March 2005, and has been demolished to make way for houses after a compulsory purchase order was pushed through by the council. Now the area is experiencing a positive urban renewal with the St. Pauls Unlimited scheme. Along with Easton, Bristol the area has gained a reputation as a place to obtain heroin and more predominantly crack cocaine. This area of the city has also suffered it's share of gun violence, reaching a high point in in early 2000s when rival Yardie and drug gangs such as the Aggi Crew fought turf wars over territory.

Community

St Pauls has a large African-Caribbean population. The relative poverty of the area has created a strong community spirit shown in the St Pauls carnival, similar to the Notting Hill Carnival in London. It has been run annually since 1967, and it now attracts an average of 40,000 people each year. [cite web |url=http://www.stpaulsunlimited.org.uk/news/carnival2007.doc |title=St Pauls Carnival 2007 |accessdate=2006-12-24 |format=DOClink |work=letter from the Chairman] This is a vibrant parade with most of the children from the local primary schools joining in.

Architecture

Many of the buildings in St Pauls are Georgian period with Portland Square, and St Pauls Church as particularly fine examples of Georgian architecture in the area. Both were designed by Daniel Hague although the original St Pauls Church was to be designed by James Allen in a Greek style. Work was started on the church in 1789 and completed in 1794. [ [http://about-bristol.co.uk/chu-15.asp St Pauls Church] ] Edward William Godwin, a famous Victorian architect, lived at Portland Square. In 2005 the church was converted into its present form as the home of 'Circomedia', [ [http://www.circomedia.com/ Circomedia] ] a circus school.

Redevelopment plans

In May 2007 proposals were announced to build about 753,000 square feet net of homes, offices and businesses, in the St Pauls area. The development, if approved, may include a 600ft, 40-storey, tower next to the M32 motorway as a new entrance to the city. The tower would be a similar shape to the Swiss Re "gherkin" tower in London. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6661301.stm]

Politics

Administratively it forms part of the Ashley ward, along with St Agnes, St Andrews, Montpelier and St Werburghs. Ashley ward is represented by two Liberal Democrat Bristol City Councillors Shirley Marshall (reelected in 2007) and Dr Jon Rogers (elected in 2005).

References

External links

* [http://www.stpaulsunlimited.org.uk/ St Pauls Unlimited Project]
* [http://www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk/ St Pauls carnival]