The society is looking to organise a trip to the Portsmouth Maritime Museum on Friday 6th September. £10 for members, £20 for non members. Price of trip to include coach travel and admission to museum. Trip will only go ahead if we have reasonable numbers to fill the coach. Money returnable should trip not proceed. Payment to the treasurer Jon, at the next meeting in May. Let see if we can get those numbers !
Alan Clarke used his past studies to provide a compelling insight into this largely forgotten movement. It started in the 1830s although there were concerns in the previous century. Famous paintings by Hogarth, Gin Lane and Beer Street depicted the era where beer was perhaps thought less of a problem. Initially you did not have to be completely abstinent but could chose moderation. Various acts exacerbated the volumes consumed. Firstly, reduced duty in the 1820s was introduced on order to…
Dear Members of the Kingswood History Society I hope that you don’t mind me contacting you. I am researching evidence of football prior to 1860. There is far more of it than hitherto thought. The British Newspaper Archive has brought much to light from c1740 and has already upset the orthodox account of football’s origins. Having discovered a number of pre-modern references to football in the West Country, I am interested to know of any further references to football in…
Professor Brian Vincent delivered a compelling overview as to the contributions made by this prominent Bristol family. It covered over 5 generations. The family had it routes in Pilton, North Somerset but moved to Bristol in 1780. Family members becoming publicans through the generations, Jolly Mitre (Queen Square), Plume of Feathers (St Phillips), Horse and Jockey (Marybush Lane), Packhorse (Lawrence Hill). William Herapath (1796 – 1868) was the main focus of the talk. Professor of Chemistry at the Bristol Medical…
Clive Burlton, a stalwart of the Bristol history community, gave a thoroughly interesting talk on the build of The Matthew. This was to commemorate 500 years of John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland in 1497. Indeed, 400 years was celebrated by building of the Cabot Tower and similar in St John’s in Newfoundland. There has been many depictions of the original Matthew. These can be seen on stamps, stain glass windows in St Mary Redcliffe, cigarette cards, paintings, even Royal Doulton…
Bill Douglas the Great Great Grandson of the founding member of the company gave his usual great insight into the history of this world famous Kingswood manufacturer. However, it did not start in Kingswood but the family moved gradually south from Scotland in the 19th century. Working in the Bristol docks in 1844. A combination of working with push bikes, producing machines for shoe making in Kingswood and working with Joseph Barter’s Light Motors Ltd. eventually lead to the Kingswood…
Saturday 2nd September 2023 the Kingswood History Society left Kingswood park main gate at 8.30 am to visit the Nothe Fort, Weymouth . The entire visit was sponsored by Quartet which enabled members to enjoy the coach a buffet and entry fee to the Napoleonic coastal Fort situated between Weymouth and Portland not to be confused with Portland Castle. The Fort was built as a defence against Napoleon in case of an invasion of England. There were other Forts built…
“Oyez, oyez, oyez”, was the cry from Madeleine Bills, the current Mayor for Mangotsfield, her husband also a former Crier for Bristol. Madeleine gave a jovial presentation on a hot night for all. She was dressed in full regalia! She started by outlining why there was a need for a Crier. Many could not read in the past and hence the need, if you wanted to know what was going on. This was not just the only duty of the…
A reminisce as Mike Hooper took us back up Castle Street and on into Old Market. A great presentation of old photographs mainly before WW2 compared to more current. A great deal of Castle Street being destroyed in the blitz. Castle Street being the main central shopping area for Bristol. In this Street you would of found BHS, M&S, Boots, the Coop but a few. Indeed the Coop was the only main shop to survive. There was good interaction with…
Steam, Sheds, Sidings and Smoke were the order of the day, as Dave Cheesley gave an atmospheric presentation. Dave took us through many of his boyhood and later memories of this great railway yard, near Lawrence Hill. Many photos were shown presenting the yard from different viewing points, alas nothing remains including the 13 arch Bridge. The yard including the railway Sheds were built in 1873 and closed in 1965. Demolition followed in 1966. It was built to service the…