Bristol hospice campaign supported by jazz star

The strains of a saxophone rang out in a Clifton street as campaigners protested against the closure of a Knowle hospice. Renowned Bristol jazz musician Andy Sheppard played laments outside the Royal York Crescent offices of St Peter's Hospice as members of Save Our Hospice waved placards opposing plans to shut the St Agnes Avenue site.

Passersby stopped and nearby residents stepped onto their balconies to watch as Mr Sheppard played John Coltrane's Lonnie's Lament and Charles Trenet's Que reste-t-il de nos amours, a song about lost love. The gathered members of the campaign group then handed over their petition of more than 3,000 names to the chairman of trustees at St Peter's, Keith Bonham.

Save Our Hospice has also written a letter to the charity's trustees urging them to reconsider their decision to close the site. Paula Davis, 54, of Victoria Park, said: "I think the decision to close Knowle has not been well thought through. There has not been any local consultation with the people of south Bristol.

"Having had a close friend who died there last November, I have seen the wonderful care they give. It will be a great loss to our area." Among the hospice supporters campaigning outside the St Peter's Hospice fundraising offices was councillor Mark Bailey. He said: "I hope St Peter's re-engage and come and speak to the council about a possible replacement or about how we can keep hospice services in Knowle."

Mr Bonham said: "It has always been our intention to meet the needs of south Bristol and we will continue to do so, this is demonstrated by the community nurses based in south Bristol."
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