November, 2015
E: paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
History
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Remembering West Street’s bustling days “YOU could buy anything on the street in those days”, “We loved playing on the bomb sites”, “The Heal family ran a winter fairground behind the Red Cow”, “I loved the Bedminster Carnival” “Needham’s Bakers used to keep their horses opposite their shop in stables where Tesco is now”. All these memories are being collected by WOW, the West Street neighbourhood group, for a pop-up museum on the street next spring. Do you or your family have memories and photos of life in West Street in the 1950s, 60s and 70s? Did you go to South Street School, use the shops, attend one of the churches or chapels, or work in a local factory? Regarded in recent times by Bristol City Council as merely a major transport route, most of historic West Street has disappeared. Yet it was the location of the first Bristol Cooperative Society, started by miners at the Argus mine. Once it was a Roman road; later it became the main high street of BS3, lined with shops and pubs bustling with hundreds of people who worked in nearby factories. But during the 1980s
Left, a float bearing Miss Bedminster, year unknown; above, Williams’ furniture store, 1957; below, a card game at the Sportsman pub, now the Black Cat, in 1963
and 90s this major route into the city from the South West and Bristol Airport became neglected by planners,despite being the fastest developing residential area in Greater Bedminster. The West Street Neighbourhood Group (Way Out West or WOW) has achieved much since it formed in 2009. Thanks to them, the street is
FIREWORK DISPLAYS Thursday November 5 Victoria Park bonfire Donations of wood from 3.30pm. Fire lit at 6.15pm, soon after Guy contest. Crêpes, hot drinks, plus beer and snacks. • www.vpag.org.uk Bristol Zoo – also on November 6 and 7. Low-noise fireworks. Booking essential. Doors at 5pm, display 5.45pm. Tickets £8 adults, £6 children. • www.bristolzoo.org.uk Friday November 6 Downend Round Table Billed as Bristol’s biggest fireworks event. Sutherland Avenue, Downend, Bristol BS16 6QW. Children’s display 6.30pm, adults 8pm. In advance £4.50, on day £6 & £5 children. • www.downendrt.co.uk The Riverside Inn, Saltford. Bonfire 6.30pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Free entry. • www.theriverside-saltford.com Saturday November 7
friendlier and greener, and some potential planning disasters have been blocked. Now the group wants to bring the area’s rich history back to life, hoping to encourage local people to take pride in their community when faced with the plans of faceless decisionmakers and property developers. The project is supported by Greater
Bedminster Community Partnership, the Bedminster Town Team, Bristol City Council and the city museums. If you have a memory or family photo to share, contact info@wayoutwest.org, or call Alan on 07926 159306. WOW is at www.wayoutwest.org,they are on Facebook: WOWBS3, and Twitter: WestStreetBS3.
Please check websites before attending Bishop Road primary school, Bishop Road, Bristol BS7 8LS, from 5pm. Fireworks, food, lantern parade, bar. Advance tickets £5 adults, £3 children; on day £6 and £4. • www.bishoproad.bristol.sch.uk Canford Lane fireworks fiesta, Bristol BS9. Gates open 6pm, display 7pm. Supports St Peter’s Hospice. Tickets £5. • www.fireworksfiesta.co.uk Henleaze infant school fireworks 6-7.45pm. Tickets £2 to £5 from school, Park Grove, Bristol BS9 4LG • www.henleaze-inf.bristol.sch.uk Thornbury Round Table Fireworks 5-9pm, Mundy playing fields. Music, bar, hot food, bonfire. • Thornbury RoundTable on Facebook Sunday November 8 BTRA Sports Ground, Stockwood Lane, Stockwood. Bonfire 6.30pm, fireworks 7pm. Adults £5, children £2, family £10. Bar, food. • www.btarfc.co.uk
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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk