With the meadow 'translocated' and blasting imminent, it was time to say goodbye, but not without the last few laughs. Ashton Court was given to the people of Bristol in 1959 with the condition that nothing be done that 'would detract from its value as a recreation ground or prejudice the enjoyment of the people'. Realising that turning the park into an open quarry and destroying the habitats of rare orchids and other wildlife might just 'prejudice their enjoyment' of it, two protestors abseiled into the quarry and occupied a ledge above a load of explosives that were due to be detonated five minutes later. They were evicted by police after 32 hours and are in court at the end of the month. Meanwhile the quarry manager had his lawn translocated onto his driveway - and a daffodil planted on the roof of his car.
Translocation means digging up everything and placing the land elsewhere.
You can't move a grassland without changing its environment - and if you change that, the community of plants and animals it supports is bound to change too. Quite simply, if you move it, you lose it. The sign on the entrance to Ashton Court Park reads. You are visiting a beautiful and peaceful park. Help keep it that way so that everyone can enjoy it.