The Docks, Ladies Rugby & Toxic Sneezing.

In this episode, we hear new and archival stories of the history of Avonmouth docks and beyond. We meet former tug-boat skipper Ernie Blake who worked in the docks from the age of fourteen, then learn about the 1923 Wildcat Strikes led by Jack Williams and racism amongst dockworkers in the early 1960s. Avonmouth Rugby Team was founded in 1897 and Lucy O’Brien tells us about managing and playing for the Ladies Team. Finally, there are stories of the old Smelting Works, told by former workers and their families.

Contributors: Andy King, Rosabel Portela and Stephen Carroll

Sound: Jake Gaule

Music: Wilfred de Salis

Graphic: Ruth Harris

#bristol #oralhistory #lovebristol #lovebcfm #bristolhistory #bristolheritage #podcast #Avonmouth #womensrugby #workingclasshistory #bristol247

Gardening, positivity and making new friends.

In this episode, we meet Christine and Mike who have live in the area since the 1960s, chat with Jan Perry, who helps run the Bristol Aging Better project and hear from Sylvia at the Growing Together project. We also meet 96-year-old Bill in Stockwood library who shares some of his opinions on the neighbourhood. The Pastor of Stockwood Free Church also talks about the role of the church in the community. One resident moved to Stockwood from St Pauls in the 1990s and shares how the community rallied around to help deal with an incident of racial abuse. Then it is the turn of Sam Fox from The Greater Stockwood Alliance and The Friends of Stockwood Library. To finish, we meet Ann who grew up in Stockwood in the 1960s and she reflects on the importance of social housing.

Contributors: Roger Morford and Ikay Agu

Sound: Jake Gaule

Music: Wildred de Salis

Graphic: Ruth Harris

#bristol #oralhistory #lovebristol #lovebcfm #bristolhistory #bristolheritage #podcast #Stockwood #bristol247 #community #libraries

Workhouses, Football & Eastville Park.

In this episode, Dr Roger Ball, Matthew Billington and Joan Knight tell us about the old Eastville workhouse, the story of Frances Morley (also known as Blanche Paine) and the work of the Bristol Radical History Group. The official historian of Bristol Rovers, Mike Jay, shares memories of the football club playing at the old Eastville Stadium, which opened in 1897 and formerly stood where the Ikea and Tesco are today. Finally, 92-year-old Hilda Brace and her daughter Jenny share their recollections of Eastville Park through the years.

Contributors: Paul Davis, Emily Wilden and Jo Feather

Sound: Jake Gaule

Music: Wilfred de Salis

Graphic: Ruth Harris

#bristol #oralhistory #lovebristol #lovebcfm #bristolhistory #bristolheritage #podcast #Eastville #bristolrovers #victorianengland #bristol247

The Hospital, Teddy Boys & High Class Laundry.

In this episode, we hear about the new-look and modern Southmead Hospital, and then from residents who moved into council housing in Southmead from St Pauls shortly after WWII. We hear stories about the history of The Clifton Laundry, which was staffed by people living in Southmead. We learn about the history of the Teddy Boys in 1950’s Southmead, led by Brian Sugar who was notorious around the country and was once on the front page of The News of the World. Finally, we hear from former pupils of the local Fonthill Primary school about what it was like growing up in Southmead for them.

Thanks to Myers-Insole Local Learning Community Interest Company, and Media Producer Tot Foster, for allowing us to use their original audio, and to the residents in Southmead who contributed to their Meadows to Meaders project.

Contributors: Southmead Hospital, Tot Foster and Myers-Insole Local Learning CIC

Sound: Jake Gaule

Music: Wilfred de Salis

Graphic: Ruth Harris

#bristol #oralhistory #lovebristol #lovebcfm #bristolhistory #bristolheritage #podcast #Southmead #nhs #TeddyBoys

Housing, Young Mums & Hunting in the Woods.

In this episode, residents talk about how Hillfields became the first council housing estate in Bristol. Jan, Anna and Terry tell us about the Hillfields 100 project, celebrating 100 years of the neighbourhood in 2019. There are also recent stories of raising children in the area with the help of the Hillfields Family & Community Trust. We then meet Steve Hunt from the Bristol Radical History Group who informs us about the history of garden suburbs and King John of England, who had his hunting lodge in nearby Lodge Causeway. Finally, we hear from Former Lord Mayor Graham Robertson, who was born and raised in the area.

You can hear more Hillfields stories in full and learn more from our friends at Myers-Insole Local Learning CIC https://www.locallearning.org.uk/hillfields-homes-for-heroes/

Contributors: Bruce Guthrie, Steve Poole, Kieran Costello and Myers Insole Local Learning CIC

Sound: Jake Gaule

Music: Wilfred de Salis

Graphic: Ruth Harris

#bristol #oralhistory #lovebristol #lovebcfm #bristolhistory #bristolheritage #podcast

#Hillfields #councilestate #youngmums #bristol247

Family, Trooper’s Hill & Money in Brown Paper Bags.

In this episode, we meet Roberto and Marco, who run Giacomo & Sons Barber Shop on Church Road, which was set up by their father who migrated from Italy in 1966. Rob Acton-Campbell goes on to share the tragic story of author Elizabeth Emra, who wrote the popular book at the time “Scenes in our Parish”. Then we hear from Steve Britton, whose family have lived in the Crews Hole area of St George as far back as he can remember. Friends of Troopers Hill founders Susan and her husband Rob, discuss the importance of the green space for the local community, with ecologist Rupert Higgins adding more details about the importance of Troopers Hill for the wildlife and environment. Finally, we listen to memories of the blitz during WWII from a Mr Hedford, recorded in 1988.

Contributors: Alice Homewood, Sabine Groven and Richard Wheeler

Sound: Jake Gaule

Music: Wilfred de Salis

Graphic: Ruth Harris

#bristol #oralhistory #lovebristol #lovebcfm #bristolhistory #bristolheritage #podcast #StGeorge #TroopersHill #WWII #bristol247

Marcus Smith, the creator of the 12 Communities One Bristol podcast speaks to Chris Arnold on BBC Radio Bristol about the project and more!

Riots, Cigarettes & Eating Snails.

In this episode, local residents tell their side of the story about the Hartcliffe riots in the summer of 1992. We also meet Sue Walker who has worked as a coordinator for the Hartcliffe Health & Environmental Action Group for 25 years. Frances, Karen, Marie and James then reveal all about growing up in the area, including the cigarette factory and Dundry Hill. Rocky from the Hartcliffe Community Farm reminisces about the project and what it has meant to him. Finally, locals Richard Smith, Lorraine Davies, Colin Smith and Jim Beacham share some moving stories over a cup of tea, including about the origins of Hartcliffe in the 1950s being built for slum clearances after the Second World War.

Contributors: Nicola Ruck, Rosabel Portela, Sonia Gumiel and Fred Ingram

Sound: Jake Gaule

Music: Wilfred de Salis

Graphic: Ruth Harris

#bristol #oralhistory #lovebristol #lovebcfm #bristolhistory #bristolheritage #podcast #Hartcliffe #riots #councilhousing #bristol247