Upfest image by Paul Box Photography
purely hypothetical, Kirke’s deep dive into the gorge was the western world’s first bungee jump. Not sure if he’ll be allowed to repeat it for the anniversary, mind.
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The Blitz hits Bristol
Home to an important port and aircraft manufacturing plants, it’s not hard to see why Bristol became the target of a Nazi bombing campaign in late 1940. Bristol’s own Blitz saw the destruction of the Broadmead area, including Castle Park (where you can still see the carcass of two churches) and the area where Cabot now stands. But the Blitz didn’t just drastically change the cityscape. A post-war need to rebuild the city caused the British government to call on labour from the Caribbean. Pushed into the bombedout homes in St Paul’s and Easton upon arrival, the Windrush generation were subject to discrimination, segregation and aggression; this despite the fact that many of them fought for the British during WWII. While Bristol’s Caribbean roots are now a rich and celebrated part of our history, manifesting everywhere from St Paul’s Carnival to the origins of bands like Massive Attack, it took a long time and tireless campaigning to get here. Which neatly brings us to our next, more positive event: the Bristol Bus Boycott.
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The Bristol Bus Boycott
In the early 1960s, the Bristol Omnibus Company had a policy refusing the employment of anyone of Black or Asian descent. In 1963, activist Paul Stephenson organised a citywide boycott; lasting four months, the activists forced the company to rescind its racist policy. The boycott itself was instrumental in the passing of the Race Relations Act of 1965.
“Nothing offers a better example of Bristol’s ingenuity than the floating harbour”
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First hot air balloon ride
The Bristol skyline just isn’t complete without hot air balloons The first time the city caught sight of one was on 9 July 1967, when Bristol Gliding Club took the Bristol Belle out for its maiden voyage.
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feat of clay
Aardman is up there with Brunel, Banksy and Ribena as one of Bristol’s greatest exports. With plasticene characters ranging from neurotic chickens to evil penguins, sardonic dogs, and
cheese-crazed OAP inventors, Aardman has been delighting families everywhere with its stop motion marvels since 1972.
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Let us spray
A composite of mood, music and culture converged in Bristol in the late 1980s. The result of this fusion turned the city into a canvas. Street artists began scaling buildings, tagging trains and dodging coppers. Simple scrawlings turned into elaborate pieces imbued with cultural commentary. The art world took note, and Banksy became a household name. Its legacy is Upfest, attracting artists from across Europe and beyond. It’s unlikely that the likes of 3D, Cheo, Cheba, Jody and Inkie anticipated the impact graffiti would have on the city, but we certainly have them (and mentor John Nation) to thank.
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Green days
We’re still rather chuffed about being named the Green Capital of Europe in 2015. Bristol was the first British city to claim the title, and Bristol has kept its word. We’ll have cut carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. We’re a city of cyclists, we’re committed to sustainability, and we have green spaces around every corner. In these tremulous times, we can be slightly assured we’re trying our best – so, just try and remember to take out the recycling.
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 19