December 2016
southbristolvoice
n HISTORY
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‘Let’s make the Marsh story into a musical!’ ‘That’s the most stupid idea you’ve ever had.’ – and it is still open today. In 1958 the council announced that the Marsh area was to be used for industry only. This may have been prompted by the fear that the area was too prone to flooding to be a residential zone. (This is still the council’s view: there will be no housing on the Marsh unless flood protection is built along the New Cut). Over the next five years, with persuasion and compulsory purchase orders, the 20 streets were cleared of their 6,000 inhabitants. They spread to St Anne’s and Stockwood, to Salford and Hartcliffe, to every part of South Bristol and beyond. But they didn’t forget each other. Reunited … on stage Fast forward to 1980. St Philip’s Marsh Adult School FC was in its 60th year. Two former players, Ted Phillips and Brian Davies, decided to see if there would be any interest in a reunion match. They could meet at Sparke Evans park, next to Avon Meads roundabout, they thought, and take drinks afterwards in the Fox or the Coopers Arms, by then the only pubs left on the Marsh. But a letter in the Evening Post and feelers put out to former Marshites soon established they would have to broaden their ambitions. A bigger social venue was needed; luckily, St Silas British Legion Club had hung on (and still does) in Meriton Street. Hundreds attended the match, and many came to the social – a lot of them had not seen each other for 20 years. The event was repeated in 1981, when Bryan Davies, who had lived in Grafton Street, and a friend, Roger Packer, from Victoria Terrace, started musing on what a unique place the Marsh was. First, it was an island, in the city centre; second, it had been densely populated but was now almost devoid of inhabitants. Many people must share their strong feelings for the Marsh, they decided. Brian and Roger were right. With Ted Phillips and Sid Davies, they produced a book, St
Guardian praised it profusely. Clearly the show was much more than nostalgia for family and friends. Scenes of families sleeping six to a bed, of rag and bone men and nosey neighbours, were brought to life so vividly that the Post’s late-lamented David Harrison called it “the finest amateur show I have seen, and one of the best the Hippodrome has ever staged, regardless of origin.”
‘Ello, ‘ello: Scene from Yesterday’s Island at the Hippodrome in 1986 Philips Marsh: The Story of an Island and its People. It sold well, and prompted a BBC TV feature. But what next? Brian wanted to tell some of the stories of Island life. “It often made me smile, looking back on the things that had happened in my family; I was one of 10 boys and we were by no means the only large family. We were just some of the thousands of people, all with stories to tell.” What if the Marsh story was made into a musical? It could be staged at the Fry social club at the Cadbury’s plant in Keynsham, which he managed. Brian told his wife, Vivian. She said it was the most ridiculous idea he had ever had. But it happened. Marsh-ites gathered to tell their stories to Fry Club pantomime writer John Scully, Sponsored walks were held to raise money. In 1984, a cast of 50, many of them amateurs, was recruited. Ticket sales were strong, and with plenty of publicity from TV and press, the show, Yesterday’s Island, was a sell-out success. Such a success, in fact, that it returned for a two-week run at the Fry Club in 1985. It was still attracting strong interest, not only in the show but in the photographic displays that accompanied it. The hall even had a row of fake shop fronts selling Tarr’s ice cream. Separated families and friends were reunited and wanted to bring others back into the fold. Where to go next? The Bristol Hippodrome, of course! In 1986, after much anxiety over the £30,000 cost, the show played to
a week of packed houses. Many Marsh-ites saw the show again and again, and a matinée had to be added. In 1987 Yesterday’s Island was back for another two weeks at the Hippodrome. The Evening Post and even the national
The show that won’t stop The curtain has still not fallen on Yesterday’s Island. Shows based on it, and including much of the original music, have been revived several times. This year, a festive version called Christmas On Our Island is playing at St Silas RBL in Meriton Street on December 2 and 3. Tickets can be bought by calling 01225 872067, or email briandavies17@btinternet.com. Brian also has DVDs for sale of the Hippodrome show. • The Voice is indebted to Brian Davies for help with this article.
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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk