HENLEAZE HERITAGE BOOKS - LATEST INFORMATION

Here is the link to view to view the four Henleaze Heritage books available through Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veronica-Bowerman/e/B001JS6O7U

Why did the Romans leave items of interest in Henleaze?

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

1. An altar icon of Mercury found by a resident of Kellaway Avenue in the 1930s. This is now housed in Bristol City Museum 
2. 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. 

Three Publications in the Henleaze Heritage series

They are:

The Henleaze Book, 
Henleaze Junior School: The Early Years, 
St Margaret's: Memories, Musings & Merriment (see cover).

For further information on these publications see: https://sites.google.com/site/henleazebook/book-outlets

TWO FIVE STARS REVIEWS!

The e-book St Margaret's, Memories, Musings and Merriment has just received two 5 ***** reviews on Amazon.
Thank you so much! 
Here is a photo, not included in the book from the Diana Davis/Pat Reid collection. A few boys were at St Margaret's each year in the kindergarten and sometimes up to the age of nine years old. 
Are you one of those boys or do you know any boys that attended?

ECLIPSE MEMORIES

Eclipse Memories from Mavis Gray, nee Peacock, former old girl of St Margaret's School, Henleaze, Bristol.

On Wednesday, 30 June, 1954 there was a partial eclipse of the sun. I remember well as it was pretty hot and we were all in our pink and white summer dresses with our panama hats on (you had to wear them at break and lunch times) standing in the playground, looking up at the eclipse through pieces of negative! When we were not looking at the eclipse we would have been playing Jacks, skipping or playing Pick-a-Stick I expect. I don't think we ever played Hopscotch and I still do not know how it's played!
My husband was a photographer for some years in the RAF and he was horrified when I told him this story. Luckily, we have proper glasses for this Friday's eclipse that we purchased for our family trip to France which included an eclipse sighting in 1999. The visit, with my husband and our nine year old son included a EuroDisney, Amiens (where the Armistice was signed) and Beauvais, where I went to school for 3 weeks just before my'O' Levels at St Margaret's. It worked wonders!
I remember the lovely Kindergarten teacher, Miss Patricia Reid, who I read on Friends Reunited has now, sadly, died.
Some of my ancestors ran the Peacock's Boot and Shoe Factory family in Kingswood, Kingswood.
I attended St Margaret's from September 1951 until July 1960 when I moved across to Clifton High School.

FEEDBACK ON ST MARGARET'S: MEMORIES, MUSINGS & MERRIMENT

Today the first overseas feedback was received on the new e-book St Margaret's: Memories, Musings & Merriment from a former pupil who now lives in the Canaries - Valerie Martin Arvelo. 

In the late 1950s her father, Ivor Bonner took the only colour exterior photos we have of St Margaret's. One of his photos has been used on the cover of the e-book. 

VALERIE'S FEEDBACK

'I just read it. . great fun, lots of memories and nostalgia!

It brought back many memories. I especially enjoyed reading the school song - parts of which I had forgotten! 

It's amazing how many memories there are in there from the early years of the school.

I hope lots of "old girls" buy it!'

ST MARGARET'S: MEMORIES, MUSINGS & MERRIMENT

The long-awaited e-book has just been published. 

This school operated in Henleaze, Bristol from 1922 - 1962.The principals, Mrs Simpson and Miss Campbell then retired after 40 years. 

The historic building was subsequently demolished and the land sold for new builds.  

Many memories and photos from former pupils are included.

For order details see: https://sites.google.com/site/henleazebook/book-outlets