Do you have stories, pictures or memorabilia connected to ‘The Sheds’, 65 Avon Street?
If so, the ‘History of the Sheds’ project would be very interested in hearing from you. This oral history project is running through the Bristol Digital Futures Institute (BDFI) at the University of Bristol, conducted by Lena Ferriday (Department of Historical Studies).
The BDFI is a university research institute with a mission to transform digital innovation for more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable futures. The Institute will move to its new home (‘The Sheds’) 65 Avon Street, Temple Quarter, in June. The new research facilities were the former headquarters of the Bristol Gas Company, and since, a Vauxhall Drive Garage. Both have links to social and technical innovation and change in Bristol, shaping the lives of local people, economy and environment. We want to consider our role as stewards of this site to ensure that its histories are shared, represented and embedded into the renovations, restorations and the Institute’s current ethos and practices.
We would like to hear from those who have memories of this site: whether you worked in the Gas Shed or Retort House during their operation as the Bristol Gas Company headquarters and gasworks or the Vauxhall Drive Garage; lived in Redcliff, St Philips or elsewhere nearby to Avon Street (for five months, or fifty years); a family member was involved with the site and has passed down stories to you; or if you have another connection to 65 Avon Street. We are looking to gather stories from across the site’s history, so if you have any memories to share, we would be delighted to receive them.
If you are interested in sharing your stories or footage, please fill out our survey. If you would like to be interviewed, please sign up online. You will then be contacted to arrange a suitable time and place for an interview and sent more details on the project and your participation. Please contact Lena Ferriday if you have any questions (avon-street-project@bristol.ac.uk or +44 117 455 1909).
Thank you very much for any time you can spare for this research.