The Clevedonian Autumn 2011 Issue No. 04 In this edition Page 2 A View from the Chair Group Report - Footpaths Group Page 3 Group Reports Environment Group Local History Group Page 4 Group Report - Conservation Group Page 5 Speakers’ Corner Page 6 Coming Shortly Page 7 The Story of Cars Page 8 East - Early Stirrings - 2 Page 9 Bristol House Society Publications Page 10 & 11 Clevedon Flower Show Page 12 I.K. Slept Here Page 13 What’s in a Name? Page 14 Alonzo Dawes - Auctioneer Page 15 Woodspring Bay Wrecks Notice Board Page 16 When We Were Very Young Page 17 Branch Line - Sylvia’s Garden Page 18 Postcard from Clevedon Collector’s Lot Page 19 Military Chest The Herring Bridge Page 20 Members’ Photograph Gallery Artist’s Attic

The views expressed are those of the authors, and may or may not represent those of the Society. www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ A View from the Chair Report by Hugh Stebbing Environment Group Group REports ell here’s another bumper edition and research new information. It is for Report by Bob Hardcastle (Tel. 871633) Wof the Clevedonian and I must start us to embrace these options for the Less successful was North by thanking Geoff Hale for gathering benefits they offer whilst remaining Council’s Heritage Lottery bid for the the harvest of stories and pictures and aware that some choose more traditional seafront area. As a result the Council editing them into such a great magazine approaches. Using the new technologies is considering a revised bid to cover he Environment Group has been about our Society. And all our thanks does give us all the means to access and be by attending more and varied a more specific area of the sea front. busy during the spring and summer are due, too, for the regular issues of the share information and help manage meetings across the range listed in the T The Society is considering how it months with its regular working parties. Clevedonian Supplement that keep us our costs so that we can look ahead Programme, or by encouraging friends can best help with any future bid, abreast of recent events and those to with confidence and seek out ways of to join in. Remember guests are welcome As in previous years we have concentrated but in the meantime remains very come across the range of our activities. building our Society for the future. and many members, perhaps the on maintaining the projects that the concerned about the state of some As is now usual for societies such as ours, I’m now six months or so into my year majority, joined after being encouraged Civic Society have initiated such as aspects of the sea front, not least the the internet and web-site technology as your Chairman. It’s been a fascinating to try us out by existing members! the drinking fountains, Pier Copse Bandstand, which is in urgent need of have transformed the ways we can time during which I’ve truly seen the viewpoint, the Lookout and circular seat repair. Finally, in thanking you all for the on Poets’ Walk. communicate, exchange information strength of our Society in action – support you’ve given the Executive I’d We have also been concerned about working through like to ask you to: We also spent one morning clearing the the state of the traditional red K6 the Special steps and seating area on the Zig Zag payphone boxes in Clevedon. We Interest Groups Keep up your attendances at our off Hill Road. This was well received by have contacted BT about this and and involving so meetings. local residents and resulted in several at the time of writing the boxes in many of you, our Make a determined effort to attend favourable comments to our Chairman. Old Church Road and Beaconsfield members. Our the AGM early in 2012. The new date Road have various Groups completes the period of change in been repaired. really are at the our governance of the Society. BT have said heart of what that they will this Civic Society Invite a friend or guest to join so that let us know is about and I’d they, too, can enjoy all that this Civic what will be The Group is also looking for further encourage you all Society has to offer. happening to the projects in Clevedon, especially away to consider very I do hope you enjoy the contents of this other K6 boxes in from the sea front, which some people carefully how you Clevedonian. I’m sure it will give you, Clevedon. think is our only concern. Suggestions can become even once again, a real sense that we can and Obviously BT therefore would be gratefully received, more involved to are making a difference for the good of have a problem together with any help with our working help us achieve our town and its people. with payphones parties or as a member of the Group. more. That could generally as One member of our group has continued they are so little throughout the summer to tend the Footpaths Group used these days raised flower beds at the Pier Copse Group REport because most viewpoint. The perennial plants have Report by Liz Byrd (Tel: 872633) people have established well despite the challenging he activities of the group continue In August, we said goodbye to Jean Next meeting: mobile phones. We understand that one weather conditions and appropriate box in Clevedon has not been used since summer bedding has added to the Tto be varied. We explore details Hannaford, with many thanks for her 16 November 2011 of Clevedon footpaths, such as East inspiring chairmanship of the group 2009! colourful display. Clevedon and the Millennium Orchard, since 2006. Jean and the new chair, Liz and continue to carry out the Clevedon Byrd, jointly led the coastal path walk to The group is liaising with the Society Footpaths Survey walks. The intent is to Portishead with a record number for the Environment Group, Local History Group transcribe the official council footpath year of 24 walkers. Council and the Transport Group of notation into more accessible directions. Several new members have joined the Transition Clevedon regarding the Report by Rob Campbell (Tel. 877038) Many thanks go to Paul Cronin for his group, which continues to provide shared use of paths by both walkers meticulous work on three walks so far. and cyclists in south Clevedon. These interest in our books continues a convivial social arm of the Society unabated. This is wonderful The footpaths have been found to be in as well as fulfilling its more official provide a valuable route between overall good condition. several schools. news for the Society as a whole role of reporting on the Clevedon ur first meeting after the as it produces valuable income Rural ambles further afield have included footpaths. Members suggest, carry out Information on all walks can be found Osummer break was so well and of course is very rewarding the Portbury nature reserve and coast a reconnaissance, and lead the walks on the Society website, the Clevedonian attended that we thought to those who have put pen to path, Gordano Valley, Wrington, Goblin (usually 3 to 5 miles), mindful that some Supplement or in the local press. we would run out of chairs! paper. If anyone has the urge Combe , Pill and Regil. Southville and are distinctly seasonal. Professor Simon Haslett’s to become a budding editor Bedminster, and Clifton provided more reputation preceded him and his then please let me know. urban territory. theory and presentation relating Four members took part in the 7 mile to the Somerset Tsunami of 1607 The programme for 2012 has Bluebell walk in aid of Children’s Hospice held everyone’s attention. It finally been arranged with Southwest. It is planned to make was a truly wonderful evening some new faces, as well as participation in this fundraising walk an and I’m pleased to tell you that some familiar ones making annual event. Simon also enjoyed it and has offered a were also found to be a little less taxing welcome return visits. return visit. Weather often influences the number to the parts they came in contact with! th taking part in walks and sometimes a It is hoped that a visit to Colindale 2012 is also the 40 anniversary of the mere brave 4 or 5 face bracing conditions During the summer break a small party Newspaper Library in London can be History Group and to celebrate we have (before the pub lunch). of members visited the newly opened arranged before they move to the dark booked St Andrew’s Hall during the Somerset Heritage Centre. We all had suburbs of rural Yorkshire, sometime afternoon of Saturday 19 May. The idea is to highlight the group’s achievements Next meetings: success with our research and found next year. that having a number of resources with displays etc. Any other ideas would Blagdon & Burrington walk 20 August 2011 5 December 2011 and 5 March 2012 brought together under one roof was As I have now taken over the book be very welcome. a real improvement. The new chairs sales it is very rewarding to report that

www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 2 3 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Group Report Conservation & Planning Group Nursing in Afghanistan Speakers’ Corner Report by Bryan Osborne Presented by Sue Haggo MBE t the time of the last edition of The AClevedonian, we thought we would hen many people are thinking of evacuate injured military personnel from operations, from the first Gulf War to the see some movement on the Royal Pier Wtaking things easy, Sue did the operational theatres during conflicts. current deployments in Afghanistan and Hotel site by now, but we can understand exact opposite. Having a fear of flying They also support the RAF in peacetime Iraq. in the current economic climate that English Heritage have she volunteered for training as an air evacuations of military and entitled Her wonderful talk had some harrowing the developer is reluctant to start work provisionally approved aero evacuation nurse with the Royal civilian personnel from many locations moments as well as some very uplifting without some certainty that he can sell the protection of the Auxiliary Air Force. She mentioned around the world. They have been stories. The audience were at many the apartments. It is hoped that work Grade II* Listed Hall’s during her talk that doing operational closely involved in a wide range of times spellbound and many people said will start in the New Year. environs, we understand. take offs and landings in both Iraq and how much they enjoyed the evening. Afghanistan very quickly cured her of any Sue had to retire when she reached We are still waiting to hear whether the We are very concerned flying phobias. I can understand why, as 60, by which time she had risen to the Pier trustees have been successful in at the Government’s I experienced them in 1967 during my rank of Squadron Leader. A remarkable obtaining the first phase of their Heritage proposals for time with 84 Squadron in Aden during lady whose modesty prevented her Lottery bid to build the cafe, toilets “ s u s t a i n a b l e the troubles there. Sue served with 4626 mentioning that she has recently been and meeting room on the approach development” in the Squadron based at RAF Lyneham. made an MBE and that in 2010 she ramp. This is closely linked with the draft National Planning received ’s annual community contractual work on the adjacent Royal Policy Framework Formed in 1983, 4626 Squadron is the Nailsea Council chairman Rod Lees Pier Hotel. It is disappointing that the document, and we only aeromedical evacuation squadron award for outstanding service. unit in the RAF Reserves. They work with nurse Sue Haggo MBE Heritage Lottery bid by North Somerset support the concerns of Rob Campbell (12 May 2011) Council, despite the contribution made the National Trust and closely with the regular RAF to help to by our Environment Group, has been other bodies over the unsuccessful, as funding is desperately Highdale Road Bridge - Today potential loss of green Cheddar Cheese and much earlier. And then there’s a consistency and enhanced quality. The needed to improve the whole seafront belt and agricultural place called Cheddar. And we heard process was exported through Joseph’s area. looking to resurrect proposals to develop land to developers. Presented by John Page references, and saw on John’s slides, children as the Victorian British Empire The disused footbridge over Highdale the park for housing and we have met The Framework, if enacted, will have ith that somewhat innocuous but examples of the earliest known records extended around the globe. And so Road is in a sorry state, the wooden them with their architect to comment on a profound effect on the countryside. Wtastily tantalising title Civic Society of cheese production and storage in this we have excellent cheddar cheese handrail having been removed for safety their initial thoughts. There are difficult In Clevedon we are unlikely to be members attending the Open Meeting small town. Notably we heard and saw manufacturing in Canada, Australia and th reasons. It has always been a landmark problems to overcome to separate affected immediately, but who is to on 8 September were given a real treat copies of documents stating that in 1586 New Zealand. But none so excellent as for Clevedonians driving up the hill and the Hall and its use as a wedding and say in the absence of a development by visiting speaker John Page. Cheddar Cheese exceeded the quality that made in Cheddar itself and matured will be sadly missed, but since Mount conference venue from the residential plan by our Councils that land towards John started his talk with a short quiz of Parmesan Cheese, the then high in the perfect and stable conditions of Elton was sold the bridge leads nowhere. areas as the two do not mix happily. Kenn and beyond could not be ripe to see how we could say “cheese”. We quality benchmark for hard cheeses the caves. We know that because part of The Conservation Officer has considered Access and the road between Victoria for housing development? As part ended with quite a list: across Europe. And similar references John’s treat was to sample the “proper” of the Consultation process we have continued through to the 19th century. Cheddar Cheese still being made in the replacing it, but establishing ownership and Elton Roads present problems and Cheese paring – getting close to expressed our views - one small voice in The excellence of Cheddar Cheese town. Deeply flavourful, with a strong is a problem. [See also ‘Postcard from it would be undesirable to have a gated the rind of a cheese where quality is Clevedon’ on page 18]. community in the middle of Clevedon. the crowd! clearly was not short lived! aftertaste and a dry consistency – just poorer. like a great Parmesan, only better! The Convent on Marine Hill is to be However it was Joseph Harding (1805 Hard cheese (young fella) – hard and – 1876) who revolutionised the making developed as apartments, with five not very nice cheese. houses on the playing fields in Leagrove of Cheddar Cheese through the simple Road. Group members have met the Cheesed-off – too much cheese expedient of separating the collection developer and his architect to discuss The Big Cheese – the best. and delivery of milk from the production their initial proposals and, following So – a great start. But John then took of the cheese itself. This early approach further consultations with interested us through the ancient history of to hygienic processing immediately parties, we await the final planning cheesemaking linked to the Romans reduced contamination, improved Hugh Stebbing (8 September 2011) application drawings. The building Satnav to guide them around their large started life as the York Hotel and has an cannabis is being grown. We were also operational area. interesting history. [See ‘IK Brunel Slept Police Air Operations shown the ‘Skyshout’ public address Here’ by Julia Elton on page 14]. PC Simms explained the many duties he system, the ‘NiteSun’ search light and Presented by and his colleagues undertake with the the sophisticated tracker system. We The Clevedon Hall Estate owners are PC Richard Simms helicopter. Among them are searching were left in no doubt that in PC Simms’ for missing people, tracking suspects, opinion no-one could hide from the Next meeting: he helicopter of the Western Counties advising the police on the ground during sophisticated detection equipment on Air Operations Unit, which is a large public events and, as we’ve all seen his whirlybird. 13 December 2011 Clevedon Hall T consortium of the Avon and Somerset on TV, the spectacular car chases where After the break we were treated to some and Gloucestershire Constabularies, first the observers can guide the police cars of the videos taken from the helicopter became operational in August 1995. on the ground to catch their quarry. whilst on its local patrols. We watched Our talk was given by Police Constable The aircraft is also equipped to take the as a car chase came to an end with the Civic Society Executive Members Richard Simms, one of the young men seriously injured to hospital. use of a ‘stinger’ – a spiked mat thrown Chairman - Hugh Stebbing Environment Group - Bob Hardcastle who crew this aircraft (oh dear have you Using photographs PC Simms proudly under the wheels of the car to burst Secretary - Wendy Moore Conservation & Planning Group - Bryan Osborne noticed how young the policemen are showed us around his helicopter. We its tyres. We had a clear view of a man Treasurer - Neil Foster Footpaths Group - Liz Byrd looking nowadays?). were introduced to the Thermal Image climbing perilously along the roofs of Membership - John & Helen Bussell Publicity/Newsletter - Geoff Hale Ten policemen are included in the and Video camera which ‘sees’ in the some three-storey houses in Montpelier, dark by detecting heat – perhaps from Bristol. The man eventually climbed Local Government Representative - Carole Wring Newsletter Distribution - Dave Long Unit: one Inspector, one Sergeant and a human being or from a house where down a drainpipe and was promptly History Group - Rob Campbell Web Master - Mike Wheatley eight PCs. The flying is in the capable hands of three ex-military pilots each arrested. Another video showed how Next Executive meetings: with many years of experience in this the Thermal Imaging Camera was used Tuesdays 15 November 2011, 21 February and 17 April 2012 kind of work. At any one time there is a to detect some thieves who had chosen Should any member have a point to put forward it is always possible to contact an Executive Group member to crew of three on board the helicopter: to hide in three wheelie-bins. the pilot, the forward observer and the have it brought up at a meeting. Geoff Hale (13 October 2011) navigator who uses a very sophisticated

www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 4 5 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ All meetings are held at St Andrew’s Church Centre Coming Shortly... All are welcome, visitors £3 by Hugh Stebbing The Story of Bristol Cars but continues through Civic Society - 8 December 2011 Civic Society - 12 January 2012 many variations for use History Group - 17 November 2011 in the current Blenheim Songs from the Shows Railway Station Halts of Bristol & car. Some versions have CLOC members North Somerset All Saints’ Church, ClevedonJulia Elton n odd title in a magazine been turbocharged and Mike Oakley Aabout Clevedon Civic my Brigand is one of these Society? Well – Yes and No ... variants with the 360 cu.in. capacity engine (that’s 5,900 “Yes” because no Bristol Car cc to you and me). was ever made in Clevedon; but “No” because some of A feature of many Bristol Members of the Clevedon Light our members worked on models has been opening Opera Club will be entertaining us components for them, and containers between each with their kind of music and also, no “No” because your current wheel arch and the door Mike has written extensively about doubt, encouraging a few rousing Chairman owns one! So hinges. The near-side bin Christmas choruses from their West Country stations and will bring a little self-indulgence houses the spare wheel and Our President, Julia Elton, tells the car jack and the off-side one story of All Saints’ Church which was audience! a wealth of knowledge to his talk. spurred on by the Editor built by her family 150 years ago. of The Clevedonian! The the battery, fuses and brake photograph shows my 1985 Bristol aerodynamic teardrop body, with more servoes. This is a very practical answer Civic Society - 9 February 2012 History Group - 16 February 2012 Brigand. space for the 4 passengers was produced to the storage of these items, keeps in 1949 as the 401 model. Further models the weight low and increases space in History Group - 19 January 2012 So, where did it all start? Effectively Mansion,Past, Present The History of Zinc followed in subsequent years with the the boot and engine compartments. towards the end of World War Two when Somerset Vernacular Building The Bristol Connection general approach being to evolve the & Future Peter Weeks the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC) Aluminium bodies have always been Denny Robins current model into an improved version Research Group started to consider what to do when the used on Bristol cars, though the most Bev Harris with varying degrees of variation to war ended and demand for warplanes recent model, the two seater Fighter the designs of the bodywork. This was would cease. (V10 and 8 litres) includes large areas all made possible through the use of a of modern composite material too. There are references in the mid-1930s chassis and an aluminium body cladding, Just like the aircraft! to the possibility of building motor cars which originally covered ash frames but these were no more than ideas and it And so, what of the present? Bristol Since 2005 Peter Weeks has but which later used the superleggera Cars was separated from the Aeroplane represented the Bristol Civic When zinc ore was found nearby was consideration of how to use a skilled (superlightweight) approach. This Society on the City Council project workforce, experts in working aluminium Company in 1955 with production in the , Bristol became involved attaching a light tubular metal subsequently relocated from the Filton A voluntary organisation which for restoration and reopening of the natural home of the British Brass and with great engineering capability frame to the chassis and cladding it with perhaps Bristol’s greatest hidden aircraft works to nearby Patchway studies and records the traditional industry. that ultimately led to the decision to shaped aluminium sheeting, a format treasure. diversify into car production when the where it continues today. Head Office houses and buildings of the county. used among others by Ferrari and Aston in Kensington High Street, London, war was over. The idea was to make cars Martin but also just like the aircraft! the way aircraft had been made. And also doubles as the only showroom Did you know: History Group - 15 March 2012 Civic Society - 12 April 2012 that’s exactly what happened. By that with a service depot at nearby Hogarth Civic Society - 8 March 2012 time discussions had taken place with Bristol engines that derived from that Roundabout on the A4 road. Bristol A Queer Little Village My Life as an Explosives Dustman Frazer Nash Cars where Colonel (H.J.) first modified BMW design became a Cars seldom created more than 100 Vince Russett Elizabeth White Aldington had links with BMW in pre- motor racing stalwart for many years? cars each year and more often than A Talk by Graham Smith MBE war Germany. This resulted, indirectly, Do you remember the AC Ace Bristol, not just one per week. All were and still in the new Car Division of BAC acquiring the Lotus Bristol or the Cooper Bristol are made to order. No cars have been as war reparations designs, details and grand prix car? made for stock, and with prices for the components from the pre-war BMW 326 Bristol entered factory teams in the Le current Blenheim at around £160,000 and 327 models and also, significantly, Mans 24 Hour race for several years and for the Fighter upwards of £250,000, the rights to the BMW 2 litre engine. with 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the 2 litre volume production was never an option for these hand built cars. Graham Smith from Burnham has From this relatively advanced position engine class in the 1954 event? a fascinating story to tell about the the fledgling Car Division was able to Bristol changed from the heavily Earlier this year Bristol Cars was put into The village in question is Pill on the countless dangers that he faced move from a start in 1946 to production modified ex-BMW engine in 1961? The administration and shortly afterwards Vince Russett is our County river Avon. during his 30 years service in a in 1947. That first model, the 400, looked extraordinary choice for a company the majority shareholding was acquired Archeologist and is an active bomb disposal unit. very similar to those pre-war BMWs from that offered “Gentlemen’s carriages by Frazer Nash. So the wheels continue conservationist which it was derived but it had a Bristol to seat four in comfort with all their to turn as one of the founding ancestors designed chassis that was to remain a luggage” was a V8 engine made by of Bristol Cars returns to take it forward. Civic Society - 10 May 2012 History Group - 17 May 2012 key feature of all Bristol passenger cars Chrysler in the USA! That engine It plans new vehicles with electrical History Group - 19 April 2012 up to this day. A totally redesigned and first appeared in the 407 model propulsion alongside the continuing Experiences of a Wildlife Rescuer The Land of Lost Content manufacture of the Fighter and Blenheim Seasonal Festivals and the maintenance, restoration or Graeme Thompson Sandy Tebbutt Professor Ronald Hutton recreation of models from throughout the history of the company. The great majority of the relatively few cars ever produced are still on the road. You probably need to have an eccentric streak to want a Bristol but I feel Graeme Thompson has many Sandy Tebbutt is a member of the privileged to own, drive and preserve Professor Hutton of Bristol University one of these unique motorcars. will talk about how our yearly graphic tales of animal rescue Gordano Society and author of festivals came about. Prof. Hutton is inspired by his work at the ‘Posset Pieces’. She will be telling a leading historian of the ritual year Highbridge-based wildlife charity us about life in Portishead during Hugh Stebbing in Britain and of modern paganism. Secret World Wildlife Rescue. World War One.

www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 6 7 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ East Clevedon - The Early Stirrings Research by Jane Lilly Bristol House ooking at Bristol House today, it So what’s the story of Rose Cottage? The demise for road widening. Traffic had Part Two Research by Jane Lilly Lhas the apperance of a house and Rate books reveal it for us: it was built for increased to such an extent that not only In this, the second of two articles, local shop never altered since it was built Ann Long on a plot owned by the Eltons Rose Cottage, but a further house at the historian and Society member Jane Lilly takes in a position commanding the East in about 1831. In 1830 the site was still beginning of Walton Road was rebuilt, us through the history of East Clevedon. Clevedon Triangle. However, although an orchard, but the house is rated in and two cottages ‘athwart the road’ this is in fact the case, there was an 1832. Ann Long was living there till 1835 below The Grove were demolished and earlier Regency house on the site - when George Tilly moved in. George Tilly never rebuilt. And none of these were Rose Cottage. This was a south-facing sold the house to the Eltons in 1838 and ocal builders, William Hollyman and very old houses. rectangular house shown on the Tithe in the following year we come to its sad his half brother Thomas, led the way Jane Lilly L Map of 1839, whereas on the 1903 OS in the development of the Old Park (now map Bristol House is a square building Dial Hill). William was the Court Estate positioned to face east. steward and land agent from 1815, an able and intelligent man. He built a pair William Coombes Collings had been of beautiful Regency houses at East the tenant since 1851 before he had the Clevedon Triangle in 1820: Ilex House chance to buy the house and shop from and Trellis House, with a bakery and Sir Arthur Elton in 1870. shop attached. In 1823, Thomas, already His lease tells us what the previous landlord of the Old Inn, built the Rock Ilex and Trellis House owner had bought, and it’s quite a House, now incorporated into the fabric surprise! It was Henry Wood who first of the Pier Hotel. This was a tea house there is an excellent description of how in Clevedon until the late ‘60s. Sadly, opened a shop there in 1840, but he among the rocks, so close to the sea at the post worked - sorted at the house after they moved to in 1968 had in fact purchased half a house and high tide that it was soon nicknamed and then delivered on foot by ‘the girl’, or 9, Doris died. Her work has a strong cleared it away to put up the present The Ship Aground. The land between walking over a few miles of rocky ground character and is much collected, both by handsome building. these two remained undeveloped until to The Beach where the Sturge sisters those who knew and loved her, and the Wood bought the site and the Elihu Durbin bought a house plot and were staying. There have been many and wider art world. westernmost half of Rose Cottage, while built Prospect House in about 1824, various Post Office sites at East Clevedon Interestingly, in 1812, permission the other half was knocked down to the first house on the Hill. This is now 1 Triangle, so much so that it could almost was sought to hold non-Conformist widen Highdale Road. He rapidly built Highdale Road, opposite Christ Church. be called Post Office Triangle instead! meetings in a house belonging to Mr Bristol House on the plot and opened for circa 1925 William Hollyman followed this slender The founder of the English Folk Dance Powell in Carey’s Lane. The site is now business in 1840 - pretty prompt work! start with the magnificent Royal Hotel and Song Society, Cecil Sharp, married occupied by bungalows. This was the and Nightingale Villa at the seaward Constance Birch at All Saints’ in 1893. first time that a new place of worship end of Hill Road and set the ball rolling His closest friend Charles Marson had been established in Clevedon since Society Publications merrily on. He also built Rose Cottages Junior, son of the Vicar of St Andrew’s, the chapel of St Peter was consecrated of her memories of living in the town operating cinema in the country, which at East Clevedon Triangle, The Grove performed the ceremony. From Marson’s at the Court in the 1320s. The church of for the Clevedon Mercury, who gave the is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in Walton Road and the row of three description of the wedding breakfast, All Saints was built in 1860 and a Sunday Civic Society permission to re-publish it next April. cottages in Old Street numbered 139 we know that it was held in the Birches’ school attached to the church provided in this book. -143, as well as the first five houses in garden at The Wilderness in Highdale a firm basis for the establishment of East The final chapter is an essay about Wellington Terrace. He was instrumental Road. The little quarry within the garden, Clevedon School, opened in 1870. Our town in the 19th century and ourselves. Two members, D F Appleby in founding the Clevedon Agricultural from which rock had its growth in Victorian times are the and G H Case, obviously felt that Show, known for its excellence from the been taken to build subjects of two further essays, written our eighteen year history was worth 1830s onwards and, like his employers the house, formed an by L Murray. These are included along documenting, and yes I think they the Elton family, seems to have had amphitheatre for the with an article by A Cook and J Birch were right. It is a fascinating if brief Clevedon’s welfare at heart. tables, while white telling the history of the Clevedon Fire history reflecting the work of some Also sited at 5 East Clevedon Triangle clouds scudded past Brigade from its early beginning in 1882, very energetic members who strove in 1830 was the first Post Office in above the pines. Sharp following the fire in the State Room and to put the Clevedon Civic Society on Clevedon. These were still the times and Marson produced Library at . the local map. It makes a fitting end to 3 volumes of folk songs this worthwhile publication - another when a rider would collect the mail in a The history of the cinema featured in from even years were to pass before the essential purchase for anyone interested locked leather satchel and the recipient chapter eight is of course a trifle out of in the early 1900s. SSociety published its second book, in in the history of our town. of the letter paid for it on delivery. From 1988, studying the history of our town. date now as much has changed at the a letter of 1830 written by Maria Sturge Further Clevedon associations with This publication followed the same basic Curzon since the publication of these Geoff Hale plan as the first by inviting members to Annals in 1988, but H Wilkins’ article folksong collectors Prospect House research various aspects of our history. It goes a good way to explain the early The book is available to Society were established members at a special price of £4.00 when the Hammond starts with an article by J Borrows about days of this, the oldest continuously family moved to the town just as Sharp’s From being a small community with a the Clevedon Violets grown by George volumes were appearing, and the two firm base in agricultural employment Lee. Hammond brothers cycled out into in the 1840s, East Clevedon had Our President, Lady Margaret Elton, Dorset, collecting some 800 previously become almost autonomous by the contributed a piece entitled, Chronicles unrecorded songs. 1880s. Women’s lives, in particular, had of the Clevedon Cottage Hospital, and The latest connection with the arts was changed dramatically in ways which to Jane Lilly wrote two unrelated items: provided when the painter, Doris Hatt, us would seem very ordinary. In 1841, one about Highdale Farm (the Hide moved to Valley Road with her mother most women listed their occupation as Hall of Clevedon Manor) and the other in the 1920s. A follower of the Vorticist ‘farm labourer’s wife’. By 1880, they were describing crime in Clevedon from movement, she had Littlemead built shopkeepers, laundrywomen, straw Saxon times right up to the formation of in later years, one of only two Art Deco hat makers, dressmakers and domestic the first Somerset police force in 1857. houses in the entire town. After her servants - all changes that came about Beatrice Stella Pedder was a gifted water mother’s death, she and her companion because of new requirements following colour artist who was born in Clevedon Cecil Sharp Dorothy Mack-Smith lived contentedly the town’s expansion. Illustration from the book by Michael Horsfield in 1875. In 1965 she wrote an account Jane Lilly www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 8 9 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Clevedon Horticultural Society was by Carole Wring formed in 1869, and over the years the The Flowering of the Flower Show society has organised 114 flower shows. Who better to give us an insight into the organistion behind the scenes than its President, Carole Wring.

Photography by Geoff Hale

cannot claim to know exactly how horticultural grew, encouraging a small a small group of people who gather stalls, tables, power, water, catering it’s incredibly interesting to see all the a highlight, and a pleasure to see the I Clevedon’s wonderful annual Flower group of people to gather together and together as a committee to put together areas, Show Secretary’s tent, public different interpretations within each happy faces of the proud winners. With Show came into being towards the end stage the very first Flower Show, which and run this major event during August address system, etc. classification. so long a history and trophies being of the 19th Century, but it is reasonable was held in Herbert Gardens. Clearly Bank Holiday weekend each successive This year, from the moment the Show Great highlights are the children’s given over all the years, the presentation to assume that horticultural interest had this was successful, and each successive year. was officially opened on Saturday at 1 exhibits, which always draw interest can take some considerable time. been fostered by so many new and exotic year it grew in popularity and attracted I remember the 100th Show with the p.m. by BBC local weather forecaster from everyone, and it is so pleasing to During these past years we have been plants being brought to these shores. exhibitors and visitors in increasing Band of the Royal Marines here for the Jemma Cooper, to the very end on see the children with their prize-winning very privileged to have Julia Elton here It was an age of great exploration, in numbers. The venue has changed over celebrations, and how much everyone Sunday at 5 p.m. there was much to see certificates. There’s so much to see with us to present the trophies, and this the heyday of the British Empire, when the years, probably according to need, really enjoyed the music, the marching, and enjoy. outside in the arena too, particularly year doubly so as she was joined by her niece Lotte Elton in this happy task. intrepid plant hunters roamed the world and there must have always been hope and the high drama associated with Exhibitor entries were fewer than in if the weather is bright and sunny: and returned with their carefully packed for fine weather too! a military band on parade – crowds previous years, but there were some marching bands, dog agility, children’s Organisation for next year’s Show is specimens, and wonderful illustrations. This year the 115th Flower Show & flocked to see it all. wonderful vegetables, beautiful flowers races, and lots of music – mainly from already well underway, and so this is an And with the railway here in the town Festival was staged on Salthouse Field – The weather each year is always – roses and dahlias really stood out tribute bands. There are trade stands excellent opportunity to pay tribute to there would also have been opportunity as indeed it has been for all the years I a concern, especially in the days for me – amazing pot plants, many to browse, veteran, classic and military the small band of committee members for people to visit the botanical gardens have known Clevedon. Understandably immediately before the Show. The intricate craft exhibits, delicious cakes, vehicles, and of course refreshments. who spend so much time, energy, at Kew, or Birmingham, or closer to there were gaps during war years when marquee arrives on Wednesday, and jams, and home-made wines judged On Sunday afternoon, a large table laden and effort to put together Clevedon’s home at Bristol Zoo. the Show was not staged. It has grown then the next two days are hectic with by our local vicar. The photography with trophies is brought out in time for wonderful Flower Show each year. Thus popularity for all things and developed of course, but it is still setting up the exhibitors’ spaces, trade classes have always been popular, and the final presentation. This is always Carole Wring www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 10 11 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ records that on 3rd July he left Clevedon at I.K. Brunel slept here by Julia Elton “7.15am to Ry station to Beam Bridge along line to Cullompton with Mr. Divett [Edward Divett, MP for Exeter] – thence to Exeter accompanied by Mr. The building known by most Clevedonians as the hotel building. Thus by 1843, Froude. Went to Exeter & Beam Bridge for mail train the Convent School on Marine Hill was built when Brunel came to stay, the hotel was in full swing. to Clevedon. York Hotel at 2.am”. William Froude by George Fowler in 1834 as the York Hotel. was the assistant engineer on this stretch of the Julia Elton tells of one of its famous guests. In 1836 his first innovative B&ER. ship, the SS Great Western, had ome 15 years ago now I found myself been launched and in 1841 the main Sometimes he went much further afield. On th Sstanding in Christie’s Auctioneers line between August 18 he was busy on the Cheltenham looking at I.K. Brunel’s engagement Bristol and London had been opened & Great Western Union Railway which links diaries, which I was viewing on behalf of throughout. Thus by 1843 he was well Cheltenham via Gloucester and Stroud with the Bristol University Library (and which the into the next phase of development, GWR near Swindon. His diary records, “Clevedon. library subsequently bought). I plucked working on branch lines of the GWR 5am to Bristol [by] chaise and p[ai]r, fir 7am train a volume at random off the shelf and as and on its extension, via the Bristol to Swindon & Cirencester & Stroud...Sapperton it fell open in my hands I was thrilled to & Exeter line, into the heart of the &c along the line to Brimscombe &c. back to Temple Meads Station - 1840 see the word “Clevedon” across the top of West Country, and his second ship, Stroud and Cirencester. For 6.45 to Bristol. Posted it. I eventually got around to writing up the SS Great Britain, was about to be to Clevedon”. That he was prepared to the story for the Brunel car rally in 2006. launched in Bristol. He was immensely go to the inconvenience of getting However, now that the York Hotel is busy and he was not spending much to Bristol by horse and carriage early being redeveloped, it is good to remind time at home in London. During 1842 in the morning rather than staying ourselves of its distinguished guest and he stayed intermittently in Weston- there argues an affection for Clevedon. his stay in Clevedon, as well as to look super-Mare but nowhere else did Several days are left blank, just headed afresh at the building itself, which is he spend the long period of time he “Clevedon”, and some record, “Engaged exceptionally handsome and well built spent in Clevedon. with Mr. Babbage on Genoa Ry”. in the Italianate style. Herschel Babbage was the son of the famous Charles Babbage and was to be resident engineer on the Genoa & Turin line before Brunel eventually pulled th He arrived for the first time on 5 June out of the project. 1843 as his diary notes, “12.00 train to Bristol [presumably from London]. On 18th July, the day before the launch Evening at Clevedon”. He remained with of the SS Great Britain, Brunel left only brief trips away until 27th August, Clevedon at 9.30 for Bristol where he a period of nearly 3 months, mostly spent the day at Temple Meads and Royal Hotel on the left - York Hotel in the centre commuting from Yatton station (then at the shipyard en route to London to called Clevedon Road). Although the meet Prince Albert and accompany him back to York Hotel is mentioned only twice it Bristol to perform the launching ceremony. He is reasonable to suppose he always returned to Clevedon on 21st July, leaving for good stayed there, particularly since the diary at the end of August, though he was to come back is virtually all in the handwriting of briefly in 1844 and 1845. Bennett, his clerk [i.e. secretary]. Thus Ten years later, in 1855, the York Hotel closed and it was probably written retrospectively its contents were dispersed. It was bought as a with only the barest outlines of where private residence by Dr. Theodore Davis, who Brunel was and what he was doing. renamed it Leagrove. In 1880 it was bought by Brunel went several times to Beam Thomas Weld, who belonged to an old Catholic Bridge station, opened 1st May 1843 as family and in 1889 established a French order the temporary terminus of the Bristol & of nuns there. They renamed it St Gabriel’s and Exeter Railway while Whiteball Tunnel stayed until 1912. The building then had rather a was under construction. The diary chequered career, becoming again for a brief while a boarding house and hotel before being bought Launch of SS Great Britain - 19 July 1843 by the Sisters of Mercy in 1936. The sisters, who opened a boarding school and later a day school called St Anthony’s, owned it until 2008. I am grateful to Jane Lilly and Michael Huscroft for the information about the history of the York Hotel. In 1827, the big block of land on which Julia Elton it stands was bought from the Eltons by George Fowler. He first built Marine Villas (now Whitsom Lodge and The Where do the street names in Clevedon come from? What’s in a Name? Look Out), then Marine House (now The Cellar) and in about 1833 he built the York House & Family Hotel. There is no record of which architect Fowler employed but whoever it was he was clearly a man of some distinction. Fowler himself was the proprietor of the York Dr George Macleod Hotel and by 1836 had added “spacious Dr George Pizey Medical Officer to the Clevedon Urban District Council coffee rooms with entrance separate from during the 1920/30s. the hotel, good lock-up coach houses and A local GP and a leading campaigner for the Dr Alaistair Macleod building of the Cottage Hospital in 1875. superior stabling”. The coffee room with His son, also a popular local doctor in the 1950/60s with a handsome Egyptian features is now surgery in Linden Road. He was president of the Clevedon Marine Hill House, sited directly below Light Opera Club for a number of years.

www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 12 13 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Research by Geoff Hale instructions as to his duties as Edward was expanding the Alonzo Dawes - Auctioneer Secretary to the Fire Brigade, business, first into salerooms he was directed to pay all in Herbert Road and later small expenses of the Brigade with a livestock market at The name Alonzo Dawes dominated the Clevedon world of house sales and & to pay over to the Board any Yatton. By the start of the auctioneering for over a century, but who was this man and where did he come fee he might receive for the 1939-45 war Edward had from? With the assistance of Jane Lilly we have been probing the archives. engine.’ become the leader of the The Bristol Times & Mirror of Clevedon Fire Brigade, and lonzo was not the first man called what stage during this period Saturday 13th November 1897 was instrumental in leading ADawes to appear on the scene in Alonzo took over managing published an advertisement his men and engines into the Clevedon. His cousin Samuel, who was the Waterworks from Samuel, from Alonzo Dawes wartime blitzes in Bristol. his senior by 8 years, moved to the town but definitely by 1881 Alonzo announcing the sale by auction Alonzo died on the 20th from Portishead in 1856 and established was not only ensconced in of Oaklands, Elton Road, the Yatton Market in the 1930s December, 1928 at the age a business in Station Road selling Henri’s the post but was also living estate of the late Frances of 86 and was buried four Patent Horse and Cattle Feed. in Anchor Lodge, situated Berryman. In the same column Alonzo war the family allowed Oaklands to days later at St Andrew’s Church. His wife Alonzo Dawes was born in Coggeshall, close to the Water Works in advertised that he was also auctioning be used as a Red Cross Hospital where Emma died three years later on the 13th Essex in 1842. His family lived in the Old Street on the site of the Berryman’s ‘household furniture and many British and Allied servicemen March, 1931. Quaker House in Barking High Street present day Clevedon Fire effects’ which were to include a ‘Landau convalesced. Later the house became St Station. Frank Alonzo George All that is left of Alonzo’s business now is where his father, William, was the house in Carriage, choice greenhouse plants, Brandon’s Junior School. the Clevedon Salerooms in Yatton Road, Saunders Dawes Caple keeper. He later moved to Haverhill, In December 1882, it was 1884 handsome collection of stuffed birds, Alonzo Dawes added the words ‘& where the aim is to secure the highest Suffolk where he was apprenticed to Alonzo who alerted the fire moths and butterflies, wines &c.’ Son’ to the name of his business when, prices at auction with the emphasis Elizabeth Dix who ran an ironmongers service in Bristol, by telegraph, Before the First World War, Oaklands in 1898, his 19 year old son Edward on customer service in the true Alonzo and general dealers. that Clevedon was in urgent need of to ascertain whether they would came into the ownership of a branch (Teddy) joined him in his offices at Dawes tradition. help to extinguish a fire that had broken contribute to a fire engine for the town. Alonzo arrived on the Clevedon scene in th of the Wills tobacco family. During that Spray Point, Seavale Road. Within a year Geoff Hale 1865, declaring his intension to establish out in the State Room at Clevedon Court, At a meeting on the 7 March, Alonzo himself as an auctioneer and valuer as and that had then spread to the library was requested to canvas the town in well as to become a merchant of salt below. Clevedon had no fire service at order to see what he would be able to The Woodspring Bay Wrecks and particularly coal, which he intended that time and it took 100 minutes for get towards the cost of the engine. the horse-drawn fire engine to come to import from South Wales in his own A new member of Alonzo Dawes’ The History Group recently received a query regarding the clattering down the road from Bristol auctioneering team came on board in sloop, Fancy, which had cost him £130. wrecks of two vessels which can be seen in Woodspring Bay in This project was short-lived however to help the good citizens of the town, 1883 when his wife’s brother, Francis an area called the Langford Grounds. Peter Gosson, editor of ‘A when the ship sank off The Pill. Another including Alonzo, to douse the flames. (Frank) Saunders, joined him. The of his enterprises was the publication of Within four days of that fire a letter from photograph of the two men with George Century of Sand Dredging in the ’, has provided the Clevedon & Portishead House and Alonzo Dawes was being read out at the Caple, the founder of the Clevedon us with the following information. Estate Register, obtainable monthly for Board of Health meeting suggesting that Mercury newspaper, sitting outside the sum of 3d (old pennies). he write to the fire insurance companies Alonzo’s offices is one of the few pictures SS Staghound that exist of these men today. he two ships are ‘Staghound’, built towed round to Cardiff and in April 1894 by Ailsa Shipbuilding converted into Blockships. Later The Weston, Clevedon and Portishead T Co. of Troon, and ‘Fernwood’, built in they were towed away and anchored Post war the wrecks were left to rot Railway, locally known as the WC&P, also November 1923 by Sir James Lang & where they lie today – just off Kingston away, as there was no use for them and became one of Alonzo’s ‘good causes’ Sons of Sunderland. Seymour – to be used by Royal Navy they didn’t pose a hazard to shipping. when he attended another meeting personnel based at Woodspring who However the site is very dangerous with of the Board of Health in 1884 with a ‘Staghound’ weighed in at 468 gross tons were engaged in mining trials on behalf untold numbers of unexploded shells petition to Parliament in support of the and measured 170 feet in length and 26 of H.M.S Vernon at Portsmouth. and mines.’ Bill for the proposed tramway to be built. feet at her beam. She was owned by Kyle The light railway was finally opened in Shipping Co. Ltd of Glasgow and was The ‘Staghound’ and ‘Fernwood’ were 1897 and closed on the 18th June 1940. sunk by enemy aircraft whilst moored at finally sunk by overly enthusiastic Photographs from: Torquay on the 27th March 1942. There Polish pilots using the gunnery range http:// myweb.tiscali.co.uk/livingontheedge/ With the support of Sir John Elton, the was no loss of life. in Woodspring Bay. Peter Gosson tells livingontheedge/magazine.htm Clevedon Fire Brigade soon became a us, ‘This was not intended to happen. reality as the minutes of the Local Board ‘Fernwood’ was the larger ship weighing of Health held on the 3rd December in at 1892 tons and measuring 268 feet 1890 show: ‘Mr Dawes applied for in length with a 38 foot beam. She was owned by Fenwick & Co. Ltd of London. Alonzo Dawes’ Spray Point offices - early 1900s She was also sunk by enemy bombing, this time at Dartmouth, with the loss of one crew member on the 18th September A partnership was established between 1942. the Dawes cousins, but it was short-lived. Both vessels were inspected and On the 12th July 1867 it was announced declared to be beyond repair, and were that the partnership between the ‘Dawes Brothers’ had been dissolved. Just five months later, on Boxing Day 1867, Alonzo entered into another If you have any interesting information partnership, this time at St Andrew’s concerning the Civic Society or aspects of Notice Board Church, Clevedon, when he married our work in Clevedon please send it in. We Emma Saunders, a farmer’s daughter are always pleased to get contributions from Puriton, Somerset. from our members. Note: Your photographs, from both digital and Newsletter Editor By 1871 Alonzo seems to have A full colour version of The Clevedonian Geoff Hale concentrated his activities on film cameras, will be most welcome. can be found on the Society’s web site at: 185 Old Church Road, Clevedon auctioneering whereas Samuel had Please send copy for the Spring 2012 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Telephone: 01275 873974 become the manager at both the Gas edition by: 15 April email: [email protected] and the Water Works. It is not clear at Clevedon Fire Brigade outside Clevedon Court - 1903

www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 14 15 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ When we were very young Memories by Derek Lilly Branch Line

A series where our members look back Derek’s father had a grocer’s shop in to their childhood in Clevedon. Kenn Road. He also bought from a Mr by Angela Slotte Vincent in the Clevedon Triangle a Sylvia’s Garden household cleaner and oil round that The inspiration behind Sylvia’s Garden has reached out and taken used a pony and cart. When Derek’s root beyond its walls to enhance the streets and open spaces of oldest brother Tom left school their Clevedon and bring pleasure to many. father bought a 1917 ex-army Ford model T ambulance. There was an funds himself, pound oil tank in the back and soaps and for pound. household cleaners etc. were carried in the front compartment. Galvanised The then North Somerset Tree Officer, items like baths, "dipping" bowls and John Flannigan, was watering cans were carried on the roof. delighted to facilitate the selection and planting of trees donated by The other diversion in the summer North Somerset Councillor Alan months, when the water ran lower, was Cotton in his wife’s memory, and the Middle Yeo itself. Here ‘redbreasts’, the first batch of trees, bought with around £1000 from the ‘minnows’, and the occasional ‘logger’ - Crab Apple - Central Way as we called the loaches that sometimes Sylvia Cotton Memorial Fund, was came within reach of our catching planted in the winter of 2007/8. Aged 18 months - May 1925 hands - together with tadpoles were the Four years on, these saplings, which themselves over the coming main attraction. The river was a great include Oaks at Salthouse Fields years. North Somerset Council is committed to taking care of the was born about 3 o’clock in the temptation during the summer months and Rowans off Central Way, have trees after planting and also has a morning on January 1st 1924. My and “bankings,” made generally by older I policy to replace trees if damaged. father often remarked jovially that I boys, were used by us smaller kin for all Sylvia Cotton had “Always been an awkward young sorts of entertainments. The other thing, Sylvia’s Garden in The Avenue is now still carried on in my older years, was tended by Alan himself, and is still devil.” In the late 20s and early 30s Ken lan and Sylvia Cotton moved to Road “south of the river” was almost a ‘jumping the river’. The bank to the south opened to the public once or twice a was always a little higher by maybe two AClevedon with their family in 1980. year, raising as much as £150 a time. separate entity to the rest of Clevedon. Sylvia had a great love of gardening and By south of the river I mean not south of feet than the north bank. It was possible Other donations continue to come trees and cherished her new garden at in, and the Cotton family members the Land Yeo near the triangle, but south 12, The Avenue, which became a focal of the Middle Yeo, now alas, culverted. are themselves major subscribers. point for family and friends as well as Their comfortable Victorian house Here that part of Ken Road – and you Aged 4 with Pete the cat - 1928 for visitors under the Open Gardens will see that I use the original spelling is home to three generations, all of Scheme. Her second deep interest was whom share in doing a paper round – consisted of Treefield Road, Hillview the welfare of children. Avenue and that bit of Ken Road down up or down the road, also the occasional from which all income goes directly to the present Hallswell Road. exciting motor car, and the normal horse Sylvia’s untimely death in 2007 due to into the Sylvia Cotton Memorial cancer brought a flood of support to Fund. We did not mix socially; yes, we had and cart of the milkmen. Pete was the stump tailed son of “Judy” a black and the family and this inspired Alan to set friends at school that came from other up two memorial funds: one to help the Written and Photographed areas of Clevedon but after school that white she-cat that spent many hours by Angela Slotte catching rats in the pit in the corner education of children in Madagascar was a different matter. Stroud Roaders (through a close family connection) and Ken Roaders did not mingle. of Yeate’s field where the domestic rubbish of Clevedon was deposited. and the other to plant trees in Before my school days I was often out in I can remember that one month we Clevedon. He pledged to match the front of my father’s shop sitting on the recorded a total of over 40 rats brought doorstep, accompanied by Pete the cat. back. My mother having died when I Content to sit and watch people going Dawn Redwood - Kenn Moor Drive was only 4 years old I was more or less unsupervised. And didn’t have to bother about anything except myself and my become sturdy young trees. constant companion Pete. He was more Aged 5 - 1929 A new batch has been like a Jack Russell dog than a cat and planted each winter – each wherever I was so was Pete. new tree costing £70-£80 After school had started I entered a whole for an energetic teenager to jump - and the 2011/12 planting new world. I became an enthusiastic from the south bank to the north one, will bring the total number “cowboy” and school holidays were providing they had a good run up to it. of trees to well over 50. The endless days of Cowboys and Indians The catch was that after the successful present Senior Tree Officer at in the field at the back of the gardens. run and jump, the victor could often North Somerset Council, Ian This was always called “Yeate’s Pitch“ easily be persuaded to try to jump back. Monger, has chosen many not to be confused with “Pugh’s Pitch”, This was an altogether harder attempt interesting and sometimes a much smaller space, now the entry because not only were they jumping unusual species of trees, but into Kennaway Road. I always think that from lower to higher but the run up was which are all well suited to our this early enthusiasm with pistols was very short, and it normally ended with Clevedon weather conditions. maybe the reason that many years later the jumper up to his knees in the mud Even along our wind-swept I became the captain of the Somerset and water of the Yeo. promenade, his young Pistol team, a very proud moment in my Whitebeams and Hawthorns Middle Yeo - August 1931 life. Derek Lilly Turkey Oak - Salthouse Carpark are managing to survive Alan Cotton with his favourite Rowan tree and will hopefully establish www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/17 16 17 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Postcard from Clevedon Posted by Jane Lilly and Sergeant Arthur Martin MM Military Chest Dave Long 20th Canadian Infantry n 1896 Commander Shore Researched by Rob Campbell Idecided to build a bridge across Highdale Road linking rthur was born in Clevedon in 1885. In the early awarded the Medal of the OBE for her Mount Elton with the land on A1900s along with many other Clevedonians he services in 1920. She became his wife the opposite side, which had took advantage of the Canadian Pacific’s recruiting and in the early 1930s they moved into been bought by his aunt, Mrs drive and moved to Canada. Railway work was “Oxney”, Old Church Road, Clevedon, Saxby, in 1888. not his forte and so he joined the Mounted Police. which is the second of the two houses When war was declared in 1914 he immediately after Tennyson Avenue. The house was There were a great many joined the army. His time in France was nothing renamed “Woodcote” in their memory objections from the Council short of terrible as he was severely wounded on and it is still known as that today. on the grounds that the two occasions and also badly gassed. He was appearance of the road Arthur received a pension from the awarded the Military Medal for bravery during an Canadian government because of his would be spoilt. A year later attack on enemy trenches 15-19 August 1917. On wounds and he died as a result of them he applied again, only to 15 August, Arthur Martin pushed out into No-Man’s be met with further refusals in 1935. The Canadians then awarded Land, got himself into a good sniping position and his family with the Memorial Cross. on the grounds, among accounted for 14 of the enemy, adding a further others, that ‘if we give you 3 to his tally in the evening. This was during the permission other people will famous Canadian battle for Hill 70. want to build a bridge’! George Case found much The second gun humour in this comment shot wound that he when he wrote up the history received in August of Mount Elton in 1981 in the 1918 resulted in Local History Group’s first his being casualty book, Clevedon: from the Village to the construct this edifice of stone, brick, since when it has been, until recent evacuated back Town. Commander Shore eventually wood and possibly mortar… it may years, a joy to behold and the subject of to the UK where, gained consent for the bridge, and had in time be used for a pony or other many postcards and photographs. at Woodcote Park in the meantime written to the Council quadruped.’ Hospital, Richmond, concerning the erection of a small Words by Jane Lilly The bridge was finally built in 1898 – Postcard by Dave Long he was looked after outhouse for a pony. ‘It is proposed to by Ellen Thacker, a Forewoman in the Miner’s Tobacco Box Queen Mary’s Army Collector’s Lot Auxiliary Corps. From the Dave Long Collection It is interesting to Military 1914-15 Victory Canadian British War note that Ellen was This box has the name of William Vowles of Medal Star Medal Medal Memorial Cross Clevedon Som. 1902. The 1901 census lists 97 William Vowles but only one from Clevedon, who was aged 54, and born in . His occupation was a Day Labourer, and he was deaf, Research and Photograph by Derek Lilly The Herring Bridge possibly from working in the mines. He was married to Sarah Vowles, aged 49, a Charwoman born in he Herring Bridge despite its name The earliest reference to the bridge is in period is the bridge in Old Street at the Kenn. They lived at 16 Moor Lane, Clevedon. Thas nothing whatever to do with a deed of 1432 as le Busshehyron when sawmills. The latter was a service bridge fish. One of the oldest river bridges it occurs in leases incorporating work on Dave Long enabling access to the fields of Hydall in Clevedon, the name comes from a both the seawall and the moor wall. The Farm lying to the south of the Land Yeo. corruption of Heron or Hurn. The name name appears again in 1630 in the land was derived from the shape of a heron’s survey made for Elizabeth Wake – now The Herring Bridge in its turn allowed leg, at what we would now call a “dog- in the Record Office at . Another Westend Farm, Brocks and Burriots hese brass boxes are often, wrongly, referred to as snuff leg” bend in the river. bridge that was originally of the same farms entry to their parts of the Great Tboxes. Because of their construction they would not be Ham that lay to the south of the suitable for snuff being too large, subject to splitting at the river here. On the Tithe map of hinge and liable to falling open due to rough usage. They 1841 it is marked as owned by were almost certainly made for a twist of chewing tobacco, William Hollyman and occupied as smoking tobacco would not have been permitted in coal by Samuel Day. Mention is made mines due to the risk of explosions. of the “Hurn Lane 3 acres.” The age of the bridge can be seen They are usually found in South Wales, but can occasionally by the use of stone keying on be found from the South Gloucestershire and Somerset coal the arch and stone work on the fields. They are normally made of brass and crudely stamped bow of the bridge behind it. with the miner’s name, town, year and a decorative pattern. Later bridges have brick keys and arches. On the tithe map for Clevedon drawn in the early Thursday 8 December 1800s, it can be clearly seen that Our Christmas Party both Stroud Road and Ken Road he Society’s Christmas Party will be a ticket only affair and had fords across the Yeos, as well the closing date for purchasing tickets is 1st December. as bridges. The old bridges have T been replaced in both instances Priced at £6 they are available from Wendy Moore or Christine Stebbing. with brick bow bridges. Entertainment will be provided by members of the Clevedon Light Opera Club. £6 Derek Lilly www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 18 19 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Members’ Photograph Gallery by Mike Wheatley

The Bread Line

Out to the Sea

Artist’s Attic

by Hugh Stebbing

Behind the Community Centre, Clevedon

www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 20