Welcome to BIAS Home Page

Introduction

Welcome to the Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society website. BIAS was founded in 1967 to coordinate the research, conservation and preservation of the remains of the industrial and commercial activity in the Bath and Bristol area. This site contains information about the society, details of its events and information about all that we care about in the area.

Since 1968 it has produced an annual journal of research by its members and a bulletin three times each year. The society produces booklets, trail leaflets and back copies of its annual journal are available on application.

We were 50 years old in 2017 and are still going strong.

BIAS encourages research into recording of industrial sites and is consulted on planning issues concerning industrial remains and is represented on local council consultation bodies. The society holds fortnightly meetings in the Bath and Bristol area in the winter months, and excursions are organised in the summer months.

Why not join and get a first-class journal, bulletins, attend loads of lectures and walks! And help us too!

We are now on Facebook!

News

Conservation in Bristol - Mike BoneBIAS continues to keep a watching brief on developments in the city. Plans for major schemes at Wapping Wharf and the Bristol Brewery site have still to be deposited… Read More »Conservation in Bristol
Serge Manufactory - Stuart BurroughsA rare painting of the first ‘serge manufactory’ established on the site of Twerton Upper Mill has been donated to the Museum of Bath at Work. Presented by Mrs… Read More »Serge Manufactory
SS Great Britain Museum - In BIAS Journal No.36, member Keith Hickman related the tale of the upper section of the No.1 funnel from the P and SS Great Eastern which had been serving as… Read More »SS Great Britain Museum
Ochre Mines and Works at Wick – An Update - Mike BreakspearIn 1998 the article entitled ‘The Ochre Mines and Works at Wick, South Gloucestershire’ by Ron Smith and myself was published in BIAS Journal No 31. Recently, through the… Read More »Ochre Mines and Works at Wick – An Update
Coronavirus 2020 - March 17: Due to coronavirus we have decided to postpone all the meetings and walks until the end of September 2020 – including the AGM. People have been urged to… Read More »Coronavirus 2020

News of members

Margaret J Taylor née Shapland BEM, BSc, born 1947 died 1st October 2020 - Heritage Champion for Bristol Maggie Shapland was, to use that well used phrase, a ‘force of nature’, who even in the last few days of her life and despite being very… Read More »Margaret J Taylor née Shapland BEM, BSc, born 1947 died 1st October 2020
Professor Angus Buchanan died 17 June 2020 - BIAS Titan BIAS members and all those with an active interest in Industrial Archaeology (IA) wherever it is pursued will be saddened to learn of the passing of Professor R.… Read More »Professor Angus Buchanan died 17 June 2020
Dr Brenda Buchanan died 14 April 2020 after a fall at home (1930-2020). - Angus and Brenda with Julia Elton at a BIAS trip to Clevedon CourtAngus on the left, and Brenda next to him. Julia on the right Angus and Brenda were founder… Read More »Dr Brenda Buchanan died 14 April 2020 after a fall at home (1930-2020).
Joan Day died 29 April 2019 aged 91 - Joan was another founder member of BIAS. She and her husband Roy (who died a few years back) also edited the Journal, and Joan also organised the events for some… Read More »Joan Day died 29 April 2019 aged 91
Owen Ward died 16 April 2019. Born 1930 - Owen Ward died at the weekend, in hospital of pneumonia. You will all be aware of Owen’s contribution to BIAS both on the committee and in the society over many… Read More »Owen Ward died 16 April 2019. Born 1930

BIAS Events

BIAS Events
All meetings at Keynsham are still on hold due to Covid restrictions, but we are planning some meetings via Zoom – watch this space!

Courses, conferences and events of interest to BIAS members. Most events have been postponed. Check the relevant websites

Publications

Yearly Research Journal
BIAS Histories
Bulletin produced every four months
Gazetteer published. Free to subscribed members (but will cost £3 to post). £9.95+ £3 post and packing. More detail.

Planning

Avon Valley Railway - Applying for planning permission to formalise a situation which has been in operation for 25 years, whereby they start the preparation of a steam engine at 6:00AM on running days… Read More »Avon Valley Railway
Redcliffe Tunnel - More detailsAugust 2019: One of Charles Richardson’s admirable achievements as chief engineer for Brunel on a number of railway lines was the construction of the costly and technical harbourside railway,… Read More »Redcliffe Tunnel
Kingsweston Footbridge - March 2019: 19/01368/LA | Proposed removal and reinstatement of Kingsweston Footbridge, (replaced with increased headroom). | Footway Bridge Over Kings Weston Road Bristol.Expiry Date 10 May? Grade II listed John… Read More »Kingsweston Footbridge
Harbourside Plans (Cumberland Basin aka Western Harbour) - A new web page was been created by the Council: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/planning-and-building-regulations/western-harbour Everyone should be aware of is that this is a very early stage in the thinking around developing in… Read More »Harbourside Plans (Cumberland Basin aka Western Harbour)
Brooks dye works - 17/06049/M Approval of Reserved Matters sought for appearance, layout, scale and landscaping following the grant of Outline planning permission ref 17/03213/X and 15/06475 relating to the redevelopment of former commercial… Read More »Brooks dye works

Photo gallery

Clifton Suspension Bridge - Clifton Suspension Bridge maintenance and happenings
Floods 3 Jan 2014 - Water, water everywhere! (taken by Norman Date) Nearly up to the Ashton Bridge deck
Panorama of the River Avon to Portishead (1902) film - This journey down the Avon gorge was filmed from the riverbank, from a boat and from the Portishead railway. Among views of the estuary, the hospital ship Vera and the… Read More »Panorama of the River Avon to Portishead (1902) film
Strachan and Henshaw equipment - In 1879 – Robert Strachan and George Henshaw formed their partnership in Victoria Street, Bristol, to make the first ever automatic paper bag-making machine. They gained widespread recognition for their… Read More »Strachan and Henshaw equipment
Industrial Gromits - 18 Sept 2013: Couldn’t resist these. Went to see the Gromits Unleashed Exhibition before they being auctioned in October

Projects

BIAS Projects - In the early days there were many IA sites to explore, excavate, research and restore. Members of the Society were leaders in the field and took the initiative, their exploits… Read More »BIAS Projects
Vale of Berkeley Railway - In the summer of 2013 a small group, all with significant experience of heritage railway preservation, became aware of the potential to create a heritage railway along the existing Sharpness… Read More »Vale of Berkeley Railway
A Forgotten Landscape - July 2015: I’m writing to introduce a project your members might be interested in. My name is Katie Scaife and I’m the full-time project officer for A Forgotten Landscape, an HLF-funded… Read More »A Forgotten Landscape
Brandy Bottom Colliery - The whole group of buildings form a rare example of the surface layout of a 19th century colliery, minus the removable fittings. All the main buildings now on site can… Read More »Brandy Bottom Colliery
Clifton Suspension Bridge - Jan 2016: The new Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre is just over one year old. The Visitor Centre relies on a team of fantastic volunteers to welcome visitors, lead guided… Read More »Clifton Suspension Bridge