It is always a pleasure to use my professional skills and experience to help out a cause which is dear to my heart, and I have had the opportunity on several occasions to do so at Bristol Ariel Rowing Club. I am a (retired) member of the club, and I have spent many hours there, enjoying rowing and making many friends (& meeting my husband!) in the process. Occupying a beautiful spot on the River Avon, Ariel feels like it is in a secluded part of the countryside, but it’s actually only 5 minutes drive from Temple Meads. The club owns a sizeable piece of ground- with a collection of buildings, including our beautiful clubhouse, which was built just after the turn of the 20th century. This part of the Avon is a conservation area, so planning permissions can be sensitive.
Ariel’s Clubhouse
In recent years, I have helped the club secure planning permission for a large extension to the landing stage, enabling twice the capacity of boats to access the water, a lean to shed for housing an ever increasing number of boats- and a first floor extension to the clubhouse. The latest project is just about to begin, the internal fit-out of part of the clubhouse, creating more changing and showering facilities, for an ever increasing number of keen rowers. The work is being funded by the excellent Inspired Facilities scheme, run by Sport England. Photos to follow when work is completed…
Slipway extension, in use on the beautiful River Avon
Alexandra Cork - Architectural Technician, Extensions and Planning Permission on Bristol, Bath and beyond 