Programme of events in 2010
JANUARY 2010 | |
| Thurs 7th Kingswood 7:30 | by Steve Grudgings (BIAS and SGMRG member
Rescheduled to 22 April due to snow |
| Thurs 21st BAWA 7:00 | "Joint Newcomen Society. Note the time and location. "
BAWA is at Southmead Road, Filton |
FEBRUARY | |
| Thurs Feb 11th Kingswood 7:30 | "The Agricultural Revolution that enabled the Industrial Revolution to take place and vice versa”
A talk by member Jim Pimpernel |
| Thurs 25th Kingswood 7:30 | "Secret underground cities” what the government have done around Corsham. "
A talk by author Nick McCamley |
MARCH | |
| Thurs 11th Kingswood 7:30pm | "The Severn Tunnel- from inception to completion". A talk by Trevor Thomson |
| Thursday 25th Kingswood 7:30pm | "Mysteries of the Admiralty Chart" Talk by Bob Wilson, International Hydrographic Projects Manager, UK Hydrographic Office, Taunton
Two centuries ago the Admiralty, losing more ships to inadequate navigational charts than to enemy action, established the Hydrographic Department (now the largest National Hydrographic Office in the world) and provides 70% of the charts and publications used by the world's merchant fleets and navies. The nineteenth-century adage of placing your faith 'in God and the Admiralty chart' came about by the painstaking work of its hydrographic surveyors and nautical cartographers in frequently difficult conditions. How they accomplished their tasks to such a high level of accuracy is the mystery that lies behind the Admiralty Chart. The story unfolds from the days of Charles I to the modern systems of today. |
| Saturday 27th 2pm | "Annual General Meeting at the University of Bath
Room 3E2.1 in Building 3 East at the University of Bath, beginning at 2.00 p.m.
The meeting will be chaired by our President, Prof. R. Angus Buchanan.
After completion of Society business at 3:45, Neville Higgins of Oxford Archaeology will present his illustrated survey of some of the lost archaeology of the Combe Down stone mines |
APRIL | |
| Sunday 11th 11am | Midford Guided walk led by Mike Chapman to look at results of recent clearance work on the Somerset Coal Canal. Meet Twinhoe lane opposite Hope & Anchor Midford at 11:00 am. GR. ST 761605 |
| Thurs 22nd Kingswood 7:30 |
A selection of newly discovered slides of local Industrial archaeology from the 1960s and early 70s,
including Severn Railway Bridge, Somerset Collieries; Somerset Coal Canal and the last services on the S&D Railway- presented by Steve Grudgings (BIAS and SGMRG member) |
| Sun 25th 10-4 Clifton | Clifton Rocks Railway Open Day |
MAY | |
| Sunday 9th 11am Newham-on-Severn |
A visit to coal & iron working sites & related services in the Forest of Dean
A walk led by Will Harris. Meet at car park on A48 NE of Newham-on-Severn, GR: SO694120 at 11:00am |
| Sun 16th 10-4 Clifton | Clifton Rocks Railway Open Day in conjunction with the Bristol Bus Rally |
| Thursday 27th 7:00pm College Green |
Bristol Cathedral Visit.
College Green,Bristol BS1 5TJ. Canon Andrew Tremlett will be leading the trip round the medieval parts of the Cathedral, particularly looking at the parts recently uncovered by the archaeologists showing construction. The tour starts at 7.00pm for a maximum of 20 people. £3.50 per head donation. The tour would last for approximately an hour and sensible footwear should be worn. Please book ahead with Maggie Shapland |
JUNE | |
| 4-6th Coalpit Heath |
NAMHO (National Association of Mining History) Conference.
Organised by SGMRG. Contact Roger Gosling Event Organiser 01454 883607 |
| Thursday 10th 7pm Clifton |
A Walk Around cast iron lamp posts and other work of iron founders in Clifton
led by Maggie Shapland and Mike Taylor. Meet at Lookout Point, bottom Sion Hill BS8 4BS adjacent to Clifton Rocks railway 7pm |
| Thursday 24th 7pm Cumberland Rd |
Underfall Yard, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS16XG.
Nineteenth century workshops still used for boat and harbour maintenance. Tour led by Andy King. Best place to meet is the car park at Underfall Yard, outside the Harbour Master's office. Park opposite the Nova Scotia and walk through the back entrance to the Yard off Avon Crescent. If we have time, we can stroll across to Cumberland Basin too. Charge £5 to be given to the Trust |
JULY | |
| Sunday 4th 11:30 |
Visit Westonzoyland Pumping Station, Somerset levels.
See new exhibits while steam raised. John Townsend to give an introductory talk. MR ST340328 on the bank of river Parrett 2miles from Westonzoyland. Admission charge £4.00/£3.50 concessions www.wzlet.org.uk |
| Thursday 22nd 7:00pm |
"Parliament, Privateers and Powder" Bristol - Elizabeth I to George III - 1550 -1880.
Walk with Mark Steeds. Start at the Bandstand on Castle Park. |
AUGUST | |
| Thursday 12th 7:00pm |
Mine and Dramway visit, meet at Ram Hill colliery site Coalpit Heath.
Led by Will Harris. From ring rd take Yate rd turn right at traffic lights in Coalpit Heath then right again sp Ram Hill Trading Estate. Go under railway then left to top of hill MR:- ST679802 |
| Thursday 19th Corsham 2:30pm |
Visit Octavian wine cellars, Corsham SN13 9PP 2:30pm.
Limited to 12 people, H&S issues: 157 steps and 30 acres underground so sensible shoes and good level of fitness required. No under 16s as subject to HM Mines inspectorate regulations. Names to John Munden, first come first served. No last minute entry as names submitted for security passes. Led by John Turner Mine Manager. Meet at top entrance, Eastlays, Gastard off B3353 Corsham to Melksham rd. |
SEPTEMBER | |
| Thursday 9th 7:30pm Keynsham | “Swindon Works from Hawksworth to Hellfire”
The final talk in the series bringing the story up to Nationalisation by Canon Brian Arman |
| Thursday 30th 7:30pm Keynsham |
"The Imperial Zinc Smelting Process from its conception at Avonmouth to the present day” .
A talk by Alf Robson and colleagues on one of the most important local industries which has had its roots in the area for many years. |
OCTOBER | |
| Thurs 14th 7:30pm Keynsham | “Half a Century of Railway Photography” a presentation by BIAS member Graham Vincent.
Graham took his first railway picture in July 1959, and now has a collection of 27,000 images from 33 countries worldwide. He has selected some of his favourite photographs from 1959 to 2010 for this talk which will include , as well as railway subjects, iconic places visited along the way such as the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. (Bob Wilsons talk will now be given next March) |
| Thursday 28th 7:30pm Keynsham |
"Bristol Water - Pioneers and Innovators"
Film and talk by Paul Hodge of Bristol Water |
NOVEMBER | |
| Thursday 11th 7:30pm Keynsham |
"Life in the backyard - craft industry in medieval towns"
Recent excavations in Bristol have revealed important evidence for types and range of industries carried out in backyards and tenement plots in the medieval town. Some evidence extremely well-preserved so much more can be said about the processes and technology of the industries. Bob Jones (chief archaeologist, Bristol City Council) looks at evidence against background of what is currently known about medieval urban industry and environmental impact on medieval Bristol. |
| Thursday 25th 7:30pm Bath |
“Bowlers plus 40 years”
an update of the work of the museum of Bath at Work by our Vice chairman Stuart Burroughs . |
MEETING VENUES
'Kingswood' meetings will now be held in Keynsham British Legion, Charlton Road, Keynsham BS31 2JABy Car: From Bristol, turn right at the Keynsham bypass roundabout to go to Keynsham. Straight on at Station roundabout and turn next right. Very substantial council car park on Ashton Way about 50 yards from the Legion. Free after 6PM.
By Bus: The 337/339 service run by First Bus from Bath via Saltford stops in Temple Street at the opposite end of the High Street from the Legion giving you a 5 minute walk.
Alternatively you can stay on this service and travel round Keynsham until it arrives at the other end of the High Street and get off on Charlton Road and walk down to the Legion or get off opposite St Johns Church on the High Street. The service is hourly and at present timings are reasonably convienient for meetings.
The 349 service from Bristol via Brislington is provided by Abus and First Bus (return tickets can be used on both operators). This sets down opposite St Johns Church. The service is hourly, the return times are at present not ideal unless you want to stay for a drink at the Legion.
By Rail: There are direct hourly services from Bristol Parkway and Bath at suitable times to arrive for the meeting. The return trains are also hourly but people wishing to reach Bristol Parkway would need to change at Temple Meads. (Based on present winter timetable).
'Bath' meetings are held at the Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath.
For all walks and field visits, wear stout shoes and adequate weather equipment. Bring picnic lunches as necessary