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Exploring the hidden histories of south Bristol neighbourhoods
A series of free talks and discussions is being held in autumn celebrating the “hidden” histories from south of the river.
South Bristol History Festival is organised by Bristol Radical History Group (BRHG) and this year will see talks hosted by associate director of community theatre group acta Ingrid Jones, Green Party councillors Tony Dyer and Christine Townsend, and UWE Bristol research fellow Roger Ball among others.
The first set of events looks at Bedminster and Southville with history talks, a walk and an exhibition on topics such as the histories of Ashton Court Estate and West Street and the storming of the New Gaol in 1831.
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In November, the festival moves further south to explore Paul Smith’s book Hartcliffe Betrayed on the design of the estate and explore the history of some of its activists.
One event will see the Facebook page West Street Stories brought to life with a photo exhibition and printed memories – photo: Betty Woolerton
These are the upcoming events taking place:
- October 5, 6.30pm, Tobacco Factory, Haunting Ashton Court LIVE by Elinor Lower and Jack Young
- October 12, 6.30pm, Tobacco Factory, The Dean Lane Pit disaster of 1886 and its repercussions by Tony Dyer
- October 17, 2pm, Bedminster Library, Trouble on the trams by Rob Whitfield
- October 19, 6.30pm, Tobacco Factory, Trouble at the White City – strikes in the British armed forces in 1919 by Roger Ball
- October 24, Bedminster Library, acta’s historical plays by Ingrid Jones
- October 26, 6.30pm, Tobacco Factory, The rise and fall of Edward Colston – the real story by Christine Townsend, Mark Steeds and Roger Ball
- October 31, 2pm, Bedminster Library, From Bedminster to Van Diemen’s Land by Sheila Hannon
- October 29, 2pm, The radical face of Bedminster in the early 20th Century by Trevor Houghton (walk)
- November 4, 1pm, United Reform Church Hall, West Street Stories (exhibition)
- October 31, United Reformed Church Hall, Soup and Stories (oral history)
For more information, visit www.brh.org.uk/site/event-series/south-bristol-history-festival-2023
Main photo: Steve Hunt
Read next:
- Historic document reveals tragic story of executed gay couple
- Is there any truth to Bristol’s infamous urban legends?
- The time a Bristol neighbourhood fought off a fascist invasion
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