A HOME BUILT FOR A POTTER IN THE 1700S

This iconic photo is from the Mike Brooks collection and shows Burfield House/Burfield Priory before it was demolished in the late 1930s. Priory Court Road now stands in the grounds. 

Recently I discovered this wonderful website and its creator Reg Jackson. 

He is so knowledgeable about pottery production, particularly in the Westbury-on-Trym area in the late 17th and 18th centuries. 

See  http://www.bristolpottersandpotteries.org.uk/potteriesMain.php

Reg tells us in his publication Transactions of the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, Volume 123 (2005) that George Hart, a successful potter in the area, had Burfield built in 1776.

Research has also pinpointed the site of the pottery known as Burfield/Sugar House Pottery where 137-143 Westbury Road are now located. 

ALHA (Avon Local History & Archaeology) Summer Walk in Henleaze - 13 July 2015

Old Quarry Park, Henleaze, Bristol was the meeting place for the start of the walk.

Henleaze Lake

Henleaze Lake was so peaceful. It was almost impossible for the walkers to imagine that they were in a City. 

In spite of the rather dull, drizzly weather, many of the them had travelled from places outside the city

 e.g. Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare. 

Other historical places included en-route were: Southmead Manor, Eastfield Lodge and the Eastfield Inn. 

The Dome inside former Southmead Manor

Many thanks to the people concerned who were kind enough to give their time to show the walkers around these really interesting and varied places. (Some of them are not normally open for viewing to the general public.) It made the stops on the walk much more interesting. 

The photos were taken by Julie Kaye, one of the walkers and a Henleaze resident. http://jdkayedesigns.weebly.com/

CLASS OF '61

1961 - Miss Maggs with her class at St Margaret's School, Henleaze which closed at the end of 1962.

Standing:-

BACK ROW - Second left - the tall blonde girl is Genny Hammonds (cousin of Diana Davis, nee Fussell). third left Valerie Stone. (Valerie and her friend were in Miss Jenner's class at the time, but as they were passing by they were asked to fill up the back row!

FRONT STANDING ROW - Far right - wearing a blazer - April Fever and the shorter girl behind her Janet Hardman (nee Stevens).

Second from the  right - Miss Maggs - between April, far right and the pupil with a v neck jumper third right.

Second girl from the left, standing, in a dress is Susan Pyne.

3 IN VERY FRONT ROW ALMOST SITTING:

Judith (Judy) Davey in blazer in middle 

NAMES REQUIRED FOR THE REMAINING PUPILS PLEASE! Can you help?

MANY THANKS!

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!  

It has really taken here by surprise. She really feels quite humble because the old girls did the work with their memories. She just put their information together! 

Since publication in March more old girls have submitted their memories as well as details of their career paths - all make good reading! 

More to follow!

The limited paperback edition has sold out but the ebook is available via Amazon. 

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

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