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