At the top of Henleaze Park Drive chalet bungalows were built in the former grounds of St Margaret's School which was sadly demolished in the early 1960s. New roads were created at that time and named Longleat Close and St Margaret's Drive.
Ruby Lismore (nee Langdon) a former pupil at St Margarets between the 1920s and 1930s, mentions in the St Margaret's book:
I remember clearly the existence of a Roman mosaic floor out in the grounds - quite large and well preserved -though not cared for. The girls were taken out to see it. They were always told it would probably have been the floor of a Roman villa.
Further to these comments on the mosaic floor local historian Julian Lea-Jones who has published many books of local interest including ones on Temple Church, Bristol has been talking to Veronica Bowerman recently about the Romans in Henleaze..
Can anyone else now recall the mosaic pavement or any of the illustrations on it as these could help define the rank of the person occupying the villa or the type of property it was. (Photographic proof would also be ideal!)
NB Two artefacts have also been found in Henleaze relating to the Romans:
 |
| © Julian Lea-Jones Oct 2012 |
- An altar icon of Mercury found by a resident of Kellaway Avenue in the 1930s. This is now housed in Bristol City Museum
- A coin in Springfield Grove shown here was found by Julian Lea-Jones in his garden. It dates from AD383-388 and shows Emperor Valentinian II.
Veronica has received many emails, telephone calls and letters from old girls who have really enjoyed the book - either the paperback or the ebook edition - as well as others who wanted to have their memories included in any future editions! 