The Kingswood History Society

Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm welcoming all attending members. Apologies: None Minutes of the previous AGM were reviewed. Keith required his name to be corrected to Nikless. There were no others matters arising. Proposed & Seconded Chairman’s Report was read. This included Ray standing down but would like to still be involved as appropriate. Finalising details for a grant next year. No matters arising. Proposed & Seconded Secretaries Report was read. Mainly thanking for help in particular to Cecile…

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Lundy at the mouth of the Bristol Channel is an island approximately 3 miles long by ½ mile wide (north to south). It is a plateau 300ft above the sea. The talk by Andre mainly covered the island when in the hands of the Harman family, in particular Martin Coles Harman (MCH), an entrepreneur who from an early age said he would buy the island. He did in 1925. In its day it was visited by the Campbell’s steamers and…

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Sandra had researched the park as part of her History and Heritage degree. Her findings are now being used with The Friends of Kingswood Park in relation to Lottery Funding. Initial attempts to create a Kingswood Park started in 1918 by a Mr Bridges on land not where the park is now. It was on the other side of the Kingswood High Street, hence such road names as The Park. Kingswood Urban Council was not willing to proceed using rate…

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A great day out for all with over 40 members and colleagues travelling by coach down to Portsmouth. The option was available to see just one experience up to all if you could fit it in. To be honest you need more than a day to see everything. Weather might have been better, drizzle or rain throughout. Perhaps had a taste of how the Mary Rose felt after years of being spayed with water !  Personally I only managed to…

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An intriguing look into the finances of a major landowner, The Berkely Family 1699 – 1809. Firstly, how did they come to own the land? Well, it starts with a wealthy Bristol merchant Robert Fitzharding in the 12th century. He was a supporter of Matilda the mother of the future King Henry II. His reward were the lands held by the previous occupant who had supported Stephen. Fitzharding then took on the name Berkeley. Jim’s research focused on the finances…

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Pauls opening salvo “Who won the battle of Jutland?” a sea battle taking place in 1916 in WW1. The battle was between The Grand Fleet of the British based at Scapa and The High Sea Fleet of Germany from the Jade Estuary off the coast of Germany. Initially it was a trap for the Grand Fleet but communications were intercepted by the British by Room 40 (a forerunner for Bletchley and GCHQ). It was 15 inch guns of the British…

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Fresh from his appearance on BBC Points West, Oliver presented his research into this fascinating subject. His interest developing from his Great Aunt who married a GI. Initially following the Lend Lease Act (1941) US civilians arrived in Norther Ireland to support this policy. The first signs of the US military in Bristol were not until 10th July 1942 at Avonmouth. Indeed, baseball was reported in the Evening Post in September. In the early days these were black GIs in…

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A well attended event where attendees were hoping to relive their childhood memories. They were not disappointed by Martin who showed many old pictures of the zoo as well as an interesting and sometimes amusing dialogue. Bristol is the fifth oldest zoo in the world although small at 12 acres. Vienna being the first at 40 acres, in comparison. It opened in 1836 and has help save 175 species from extinction over the years. It is still involved in projects…

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David Hardwick, a member of the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group, gave a very detailed and in-depth talk on the history of this last working mine in the Bristol area. A drift mine opened in 1954 and closed just 9 years later in 1963. Why did the mine come about ? Probably due to the NCB being formed in 1947 and had the finances to start up new efficient methods of mining. WW2 shortages of coal, Frog Lane miners available…

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Alan Clarke used his past studies to provide a compelling insight into this largely forgotten movement. It started in the 1830s although there were  concerns in the previous century. Famous paintings by Hogarth, Gin Lane and Beer Street depicted the era where beer was perhaps thought less of a problem. Initially you did not have to be completely abstinent but could chose moderation. Various acts exacerbated the volumes consumed. Firstly, reduced duty in the 1820s was introduced on order to…

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