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T: 0117 908 2121
www.bishopstonvoice.co.uk
April, 2013
Letters Site’s history is worth a plaque May I comment on the report in the March issue about the Pigsty Hill homes, where you say that the development will be called “Stone Hodges” after a hardware shop that stood on the site for many years? This doesn't quite tell the whole story. Joseph Stone Hodges was a cabinetmaker and upholsterer whose business is recorded is having been located at 221 Gloucester Road in 1903, and subsequently at 148-156 Gloucester Road (the site of the current redevelopment) from 1939 onwards. By the 1970s, when I moved to the area, it had mutated into a “cabinetmakers’ sundries” shop, where all sorts of unlikely items could be found not quite your average hardware shop. Its eventual closure was the subject of a feature on the Points West programme, an unusual distinction for such an event. Not only was Mr Stone Hodges a cabinetmaker; he and his
wife were also very keen collectors of ceramics. In 1961 the City Art Gallery received by request a major part of their collection (nearly 300 items); details of this are on the Museums and Galleries section of the city council website, but can be found more easily by following the link on the Stone Hodges section of The Gloucester Road Story (http:// thegloucesterroadstory.org). It would be good if something of the Stone Hodges work, or images of some of the ceramics, could in some way be associated with the development. At the least it would seem worthy of a commemorative plaque. Name and address supplied
Photo showed family’s shops With reference to Bishopstonvoice March 2013, Issue 3 Nostalgia. On page 23 is my dad’s father’s shop, shoe repairs and handmade shoes, first shop on the left, and my mum’s mother’s shop, second shop blind from the
other end, both on the same side. Later my mum and dad had the shop for some years. Old Photos Old photos in a drawer, Taken many years before. Some are brown, some black and white, On the backs people did write. Uncle Joe in the Great War, By big gun, medals he wore. Gran's wedding, fancy that, just look at her hat. Grandad by the grate, Standing so tall and straight. Sam aged eight on a donkey, Uncle Joe he looks a bit wonky. Little Tim nude on couch, Taken 1932 at Seaton-onCrouch. Ben in army, 1962, Just look how he grew. Our house and garden, note the gate, 1824 it says on the glass plate. Family group taken in 1926, Father, mother and children six. Bill and dog, Bill aged eight, For school he was always late. Floods taken 1936, Ducks in front garden, six. Our road taken long ago,
Quiet then, now cars to and fro. Pictures of people, we don't know, We think one is of a girl called Flo. History and stories in each frame, Who is that, oh what was the name? Let's have a look as before, Never mind, put them back in the drawer. CE Threader Horfield
Addiction to cars is problem
“A concerned resident” writes in the March issue about controlled parking and sounds like a victim. What are WE supposed to do? We are all in this together and have an addiction to cars. It is OUR fault the roads are jammed up, not the council’s. More walking, more cycling, more bus rides will help but please don’t deny our personal responsibility by blaming someone else. Paul Wheatcroft, Bishopston
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