The Clevedonian Spring 2012 Issue No. 05 PageIn 2 this edition 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 Coming Shortly Page 6 Redeveloping Christchurch Page 7 A Fishy Tale Page 8 Farewell Clevedon Mercury What’s in a Name? Page 9 Doris Hatt - Local Artist Derek Lilly’s Word Search Page 10 & 11 Volunteering for Clevedon Page 12 Clevedon Down Under Page 13 Curzon Centenary Page 14 Clevedon’s Weather Station Society Publications Page 15 Entertainment in Clevedon Page 16 When We Were Very Young Page 17 Branch Line Page 18 Postcard from Clevedon Collector’s Lot Page 19 Military Chest Notice Board 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 Report by Bob Hardcastle (Tel. 871633) elcome to this edition of The those who “make it happen” and ensure We hope that the Bandstand can be WClevedonian. I’m sure that once we don’t just get along by accident. because more civic minded members restored in this current year as this was again you’ll find stories and reports of the public are picking up litter our intended Jubilee project when we of interest. Hopefully, too, you’ll be This edition carries a Notice about the themselves in order to keep their town contacted NSC about the repair work impressed by the range of topics and will Extraordinary General Meeting on 13th In this Diamond Jubilee year we have he Group started its working party looking tidy. that was needed to this iconic structure. be enthused to participate even more in September required so that we can been heavily influential with both North Tseason with a Big Litter Pick to We have also been involved with helping However as it will not be possible to the Civic Society’s events. present the Society’s accounts for 2011. Somerset and Clevedon Town Councils, improve the appearance of parts of the North Somerset Council in their bids for get this work done before the Jubilee Do make a note about this in your diaries. helping keep our town tidy and key town before the Easter Bank Holiday Lottery funding and grants to repair the weekend the Civic Society Executive I’ve observed previously features such as the weekend. Marine Lake and the Bandstand. have agreed to fund the erection of a that it is the very diversity of bandstand, in good repair. new bench on the sea wall at Marshall’s our activities that gives our Field as a contribution to the town’s An addition to our Society the deep strength Jubilee celebrations in June. that has enabled it to be published programme of sustained when many events is a Diamond Jubilee The seat and plaque have been ordered elsewhere have fallen by picnic for members and from North Somerset Council and the wayside. A brief look their immediate families we are waiting for them to give us an “behind the scenes” of our on Saturday 9th June. Our installation date. events calendar shows President Julia Elton has We will continue our monthly immense commitment, kindly agreed that we can working parties throughout the determination and purpose hold this celebration on summer, concentrating as usual by those who lead our the lawn at Clevedon Court on looking after all the past Civic various special interest from 4.00p.m till 7.30p.m. Society projects on the seafront area. groups and the more social Let’s expect fine weather meetings. My thanks, and to ensure we have a great those of all members, go to Clevedon Court time together. We were helped by all the other Group Chairmen GrouP REporT Footpaths Group and some of their Group members. Report by Liz Byrd (Tel: 872633) Although more than 20 bags of litter - and an old bicycle - were recovered we were pleased to report he group continues to provide a the group looking forward to longer that there seemed to be less litter to pick up than in pleasant social outlet for members summer walks around Chew Magna, T previous years. which is much appreciated, and Variety both Congresbury and Tickenham is the keyword of the walks undertaken Cadbury Camps and the summer We would like to think that this was because less by the group since last autumn. favourite coastal path. Jane Lilly) is hopefully encouraging litter was being dropped, but we suspect that it is Injuries to two of the group meant a re- On a more official note, the revision of more members to step forward and lead arrangement of the planned programme walks. The walk report written by each Next meetings: 16 May, 11 July – many thanks to those who stepped in the Footpaths Survey continued with a rainy 5 mile walk covering Court leader gives an opportunity for a vivid 12 September 2012 to offer walks around Cheddar Reservoir, impressionistic view of each walk (and and the new Black Rock path at Kewstoke Wood, Clapton Lane, Walton-in-Gordano and the golf course. An apparently we are rarely disappointed!) as well as in November. Shorter winter walks also providing a useful factual record. included a circuit of Felton Common blocked or removed footpath between Local History Group (good for aircraft enthusiasts), and the Clapton Lane and the B3124 is being Links with other groups continue Bristol Slave Trade Walk published in investigated. Also the fallen fence and with our March group meeting at Report by Rob Campbell (Tel. 877038) The Independent brought out 20 people walls on the coastal path below the the Community Bookshop leading to Walton Park Hotel has been reported approval of the venue despite some excellent high tech display aids courtesy history she had uncovered was amazing. eager to catch up on their history. The of fellow member John Rostron. The to North Somerset Council (NSC) and teething troubles. We also worked with Once again we helped to fill the coach Christmas pudding burn off circuit of evening proved to be very successful. Poets’ Walk and the Pill was undertaken copied to the Environment Group where the Environment Group and joined the on the annual trip to The National by two overlapping groups who had the same issue had arisen. NSC has April Litter Pick, liaising with Clevedon lease remember that all members of In March Elizabeth White talked about Archives at Kew, with the Weston-super- mistakenly set off thirty minutes apart acknowledged the report and we are Pride to do so. Pthe Society are welcome to attend a ‘Queer Little Village’, in fact her home Mare Family History Society. We all only to meet later and convivially in the awaiting a working response. New members are always welcome, as any talk without an obligation to be a village of Pill. For someone who had came away laden with photocopies and regular attendee. only lived there for a short time the Salthouse. Members are well as family and visitors. information. An equally enthusiastic 20 people and e n c o u r a g e d The year got off to a very interesting As a result of a talk I gave to a U3A 3 dogs turned up for a stroll in the to arrive at the start with an enlightening talk by Denny group in Weston-super-Mare, a change mist around the heights of Weston-in starting point Robins and John Rickard from the to our programme has been made. I Gordano, taking in a beautifully restored of a walk by bus Somerset Vernacular Building Research met and spoke to a very interesting field owned by one of the members, where possible Group. The group is a voluntary one, gentleman who served as a navigator in before enjoying a pub lunch in the sun. – sometimes but compiles very professional reports. Bomber Command during the Second In contrast, a mere 11 people braved resulting in We also had some interesting general World War. One of the many missions the 5 miles, deep mud and long steep the bus being history related queries on a number of that he took part in was the famous climb needed to include the Backwell mobbed by other subjects, and Brian Austin, a well- ‘Peenemunde Raid’ and in July he will Jubilee stone – but the views made it all our members! known local historian, has asked me be telling us of his experiences during worthwhile. Leafy Portishead next with A recently to thank all those who helped with his that raid. I was to be the speaker that e s t a b l i s h e d questions. evening and have therefore postponed group “library” For our February meeting group member my talk for the moment. Next meetings: 11 June of walking Bev Harris gave a very interesting talk Book sales continue to impress with books (kindly and 3 September 2012 Coastal path below the Walton Park Hotel on the history of zinc and his lifelong National Archives - Kew £1269.00 having been taken since last donated by involvement with the process, aided by August. www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ 2 3 www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Conservation & Planning Group All meetings are held at St Andrew’s Church Centre GrouP rePorT All are welcome, visitors £3 ComInG shorTly... Report by Bryan Osborne History Group - 21 June 2012 From the start of 2012 there has been an increase in activity History Group - 19 July 2012 History Group - 17 May 2012 on the planning front, this despite the current economic The Finzel Family WW2 Peenemunde Raid restrictions, and I can report on some of these developments.