Our speakers since Jan 2022
April 7th
Mike Britton is a frequent and welcome visitor to our group and he stepped in at short notice to replace a speaker who was taken ill. His subject was “Secret Societies" (Fraternal Societies and Friendly Societies); a wide ranging talk on a complicated subject. He started by explaining how the medieval guilds came into being to protect crafts and ensure proper training and apprenticeships were managed. Fraternal Societies tend to get membership by invitation where like-minded people gather, they collected money for charitable purposes and support its members when needed. Friendly Societies on the other hand usually have a foundation of membership support, based on mutual savings, pensions and funding of the members in difficult times. Both society types were predominantly Christian based and only men were involved in the early days. The Fraternal Societies all tend to have a similar style of structure with three stages of membership with complicated rituals and regalia to make the members aware of the ‘special’ nature of membership. Many of the Fraternal Societies were formed in the 1700s but membership in most is declining now. Friendly Societies seem to have survived better with many, again founded in the 1700s, still in existence as mutual benefit companies with large capital funds. We heard of many organisations including Oddfellows, the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, the Ku Klux Klan, the Orange Order and the Masons, a well-illustrated and fascinating talk.
Mike Britton is a frequent and welcome visitor to our group and he stepped in at short notice to replace a speaker who was taken ill. His subject was “Secret Societies" (Fraternal Societies and Friendly Societies); a wide ranging talk on a complicated subject. He started by explaining how the medieval guilds came into being to protect crafts and ensure proper training and apprenticeships were managed. Fraternal Societies tend to get membership by invitation where like-minded people gather, they collected money for charitable purposes and support its members when needed. Friendly Societies on the other hand usually have a foundation of membership support, based on mutual savings, pensions and funding of the members in difficult times. Both society types were predominantly Christian based and only men were involved in the early days. The Fraternal Societies all tend to have a similar style of structure with three stages of membership with complicated rituals and regalia to make the members aware of the ‘special’ nature of membership. Many of the Fraternal Societies were formed in the 1700s but membership in most is declining now. Friendly Societies seem to have survived better with many, again founded in the 1700s, still in existence as mutual benefit companies with large capital funds. We heard of many organisations including Oddfellows, the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, the Ku Klux Klan, the Orange Order and the Masons, a well-illustrated and fascinating talk.
arch 31st
An interesting illustrated talk entitled 'Life Before Tea Bags' was given by Elizabeth Rhodes. It was really a history lesson of life for rich and poor through the reigns of Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II, a period from 1889 to 1953, although the tea bag was first used in 1905, but obviously not in the numbers in use later. She started with examples of Leisure Centres in the early years where tea was drunk by the well-off population, there being over 200 such centres in London alone. Later came the Twinnings tea and coffee shops, and tea became a commodity drunk by the population as a whole. The Boer Wars, WWI and WW2 were covered and the ways in which they had an effect on social mobility. Women came from largely working in service to working in munitions factories, buses and other services, which led to later demands for the vote and equal pay. Also covered were the General Strike, the effects of radio and television and other social changes all illustrated by photos of the rich, the poor, kings and queens and photographs of her own family over the years. A thoroughly interesting talk.
An interesting illustrated talk entitled 'Life Before Tea Bags' was given by Elizabeth Rhodes. It was really a history lesson of life for rich and poor through the reigns of Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II, a period from 1889 to 1953, although the tea bag was first used in 1905, but obviously not in the numbers in use later. She started with examples of Leisure Centres in the early years where tea was drunk by the well-off population, there being over 200 such centres in London alone. Later came the Twinnings tea and coffee shops, and tea became a commodity drunk by the population as a whole. The Boer Wars, WWI and WW2 were covered and the ways in which they had an effect on social mobility. Women came from largely working in service to working in munitions factories, buses and other services, which led to later demands for the vote and equal pay. Also covered were the General Strike, the effects of radio and television and other social changes all illustrated by photos of the rich, the poor, kings and queens and photographs of her own family over the years. A thoroughly interesting talk.
March 17th
A life on the ocean wave was our enjoyment when Cyril Routley gave his talk entitled Life On Board the SS Great Britain. He started with a short history of the building and use of the ship from the launch in 1843 to the return to Bristol in 1970. Cyril has made a study of the diaries books and letters of passengers who sailed on the SS Great Britain to Australia. They tell a fascinating story. One of the main impressions of the talk was the great difference of experiences between the classes of passengers. Those in first class enjoyed spacious accommodation and fine dining. Steerage passengers did not enjoy the journey! The ship had a line on deck to separate the classes. First class had about 100 ft of deck space for 70 passengers and the other 500 passengers has 300 ft. What made the talk so interesting was the ‘personalisation’ of the stories with passenger names and details linked to the events described. The captain arranged religious services on board and any travelling minister was offered an upgrade in class in return for holding the services. On one voyage there were 5 nuns on board and they visited 300 Irish labourers to offer comfort and services. Towards the end of each voyage the captain had all crew were ‘hands on deck’ for a great clean-up of the vessel to ensure it presented as fine a spectacle as possible to the spectators. Cyril’s talk and images gave us a fine impression of life on board the SS Great Britain.
A life on the ocean wave was our enjoyment when Cyril Routley gave his talk entitled Life On Board the SS Great Britain. He started with a short history of the building and use of the ship from the launch in 1843 to the return to Bristol in 1970. Cyril has made a study of the diaries books and letters of passengers who sailed on the SS Great Britain to Australia. They tell a fascinating story. One of the main impressions of the talk was the great difference of experiences between the classes of passengers. Those in first class enjoyed spacious accommodation and fine dining. Steerage passengers did not enjoy the journey! The ship had a line on deck to separate the classes. First class had about 100 ft of deck space for 70 passengers and the other 500 passengers has 300 ft. What made the talk so interesting was the ‘personalisation’ of the stories with passenger names and details linked to the events described. The captain arranged religious services on board and any travelling minister was offered an upgrade in class in return for holding the services. On one voyage there were 5 nuns on board and they visited 300 Irish labourers to offer comfort and services. Towards the end of each voyage the captain had all crew were ‘hands on deck’ for a great clean-up of the vessel to ensure it presented as fine a spectacle as possible to the spectators. Cyril’s talk and images gave us a fine impression of life on board the SS Great Britain.
March 3rd
Our speaker Sue Parsons was a most persuasive speaker when telling us about the Winterbourne Medieval Barn. She started by explaining why the barn was so important. Most medieval barns were built by churches and monasteries to collect and store grain collected as tithes but Winterbourne is believed to be the only surviving example of a medieval barn of this size that was built and used by the lord of the manor, Sir Thomas de Bradeston, rather than by the church. It was built in 1342 and used as an agricultural facility until the 1990’s but it was in a very poor state. In 1997 it was purchased by the local authority and a new roof installed. Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust was formed and in 2016 obtained a Heritage Lottery Grant of £1.8 million. Since then major refurbishment has taken place and it is now a flourishing local community centre with many activities and events. Clearly the barn is an enthusiasm for Sue and she ‘sold’ it to us well with an invitation to visit the web site at www.winterbournebarn.org.uk to see what is on offer.
Our speaker Sue Parsons was a most persuasive speaker when telling us about the Winterbourne Medieval Barn. She started by explaining why the barn was so important. Most medieval barns were built by churches and monasteries to collect and store grain collected as tithes but Winterbourne is believed to be the only surviving example of a medieval barn of this size that was built and used by the lord of the manor, Sir Thomas de Bradeston, rather than by the church. It was built in 1342 and used as an agricultural facility until the 1990’s but it was in a very poor state. In 1997 it was purchased by the local authority and a new roof installed. Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust was formed and in 2016 obtained a Heritage Lottery Grant of £1.8 million. Since then major refurbishment has taken place and it is now a flourishing local community centre with many activities and events. Clearly the barn is an enthusiasm for Sue and she ‘sold’ it to us well with an invitation to visit the web site at www.winterbournebarn.org.uk to see what is on offer.
Feb 17th
Jo Richardson is a “Space Detective”. She started a company called ‘Space Detectives’ in 2013 and spends most of her time in schools encouraging and educating children in the mysteries of space. Her talk was entitled Our Place in Space. She did not treat us as children but still managed to instil a wonder in the vastness of space. An enthusiastic speaker with a detailed knowledge of her subject she kept us enthralled during her talk. It covered the subject from the beginnings of planets and galaxies to an explanation of the relative size and position of the earth in our solar system. The history of astronomy was covered from the earliest examination of the moon by telescope to the recent launching of the James Webb space telescope and the information it is hoped it will provide.
Jo Richardson is a “Space Detective”. She started a company called ‘Space Detectives’ in 2013 and spends most of her time in schools encouraging and educating children in the mysteries of space. Her talk was entitled Our Place in Space. She did not treat us as children but still managed to instil a wonder in the vastness of space. An enthusiastic speaker with a detailed knowledge of her subject she kept us enthralled during her talk. It covered the subject from the beginnings of planets and galaxies to an explanation of the relative size and position of the earth in our solar system. The history of astronomy was covered from the earliest examination of the moon by telescope to the recent launching of the James Webb space telescope and the information it is hoped it will provide.
Feb 3rd
David Hardwick suffered a speaker's worst nightmare when his equipment failed to upload his PowerPoint presentation. However we have never seen such a magnificent recovery. His original talk was to have been "60 years of change in the Bristol Coalfields". Without illustrations he proceeded to give us a masterly talk on Coal, Stone and Gold Mining through the ages. His command of the subject ranged from Bristol coalfields, geology, the development of the Newton engine, the life of Handel Cossham and how religion and mining worked together. David is a member of the South Gloucester Mine Research Group and his enthusiasm and knowledge were a pleasure to see and hear.
David Hardwick suffered a speaker's worst nightmare when his equipment failed to upload his PowerPoint presentation. However we have never seen such a magnificent recovery. His original talk was to have been "60 years of change in the Bristol Coalfields". Without illustrations he proceeded to give us a masterly talk on Coal, Stone and Gold Mining through the ages. His command of the subject ranged from Bristol coalfields, geology, the development of the Newton engine, the life of Handel Cossham and how religion and mining worked together. David is a member of the South Gloucester Mine Research Group and his enthusiasm and knowledge were a pleasure to see and hear.
Jan 20th
Gary Gowens told us in great detail the story of how the Roman Navy supported and allowed the Roman empire to expand into Britain and stay there for over 400 years. His command of the subject was impressive and he was able to answer many questions without referring to notes.
Gary Gowens told us in great detail the story of how the Roman Navy supported and allowed the Roman empire to expand into Britain and stay there for over 400 years. His command of the subject was impressive and he was able to answer many questions without referring to notes.
During the one brief relaxation of the Covid restrictions we were able to fit in one social event...
Cream Tea at Little Nannies Cafe - June 17th 2021
We have been holding a weekly Virtual meeting on Zoom since April 2020
Here are screen shots taken from some of them
Cream Tea at Little Nannies Cafe - August 27th
click to cycle show
Picnic in Page Park August 19th 2020
Christmas Lunch at Chippng Sodbury Golf Club
A visit from Bristol Zoo volunteers
Past President Peter Blackmore installing President Eric Arnold on October 17th 2019
Visit to Kings Weston House - August 29th 2019
Guided by the owner Norman Routledge
Click 'Play' to see slide show
Guided by the owner Norman Routledge
Click 'Play' to see slide show
May 30th - Ladies Day
Bristol Docks with the Kingswood Y's Men's Club
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Bristol Docks with the Kingswood Y's Men's Club
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We enjoyed a trip to London with the Kingswood Y's Men's Club
Visiting the Royal Mail underground 'Mail Rail' and then a flight on the Emerite's cable car over the Thames at Greenwich
Click 'Play' to see the slide show
Visiting the Royal Mail underground 'Mail Rail' and then a flight on the Emerite's cable car over the Thames at Greenwich
Click 'Play' to see the slide show
Visit to Cardiff March 2nd
November 29th visit to Oakham Treasures
Click on the image to scroll through the pictures full size.
Click on the image to scroll through the pictures full size.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Click to see full image
Click to see full image
The Insallation Lunch at BAWA - Friday October 26th
Annual General Meeting October 18th 2018
Examining items from John Bates's collection on June 21st
Visit to Almondsbury Garden Centre - May 31st
Pictures from the Bath College Lunch May 15th 2018
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Click on an image to see full size
Pictures from the Spring Lunch April 13th 2018
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Click on an image to see full size
Visit to Aerospace Bristol - March 22nd 2018
Click 'Play' to see slide show
Click 'Play' to see slide show
President Peter Blackmore welcomes new member John Morris
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Click on an image to see full size
Visit to Almondsbury Garden Centre - December 7th
Visit to Avon Valley Railway for Lunch - August 31st
Lunch at the Grove Restaurant, Weston Super Mare College -May 19th
Talk by the Almondsbury Garden Centre - March 30th
Click Play to see the slide show
Click Play to see the slide show
Visit to the Royal Mint at Llantrisant - February 15th
