The Clevedonian Winter 2010 In this edition SocieTy PublicationS Page 1 Clevedon Places and Faces Society Publications Page 2 Edited by Rob Campbell Chairman’s Piece he latest book from to the south of the town Who’s Hugh? Tthe History Group was since it was opened by the Page 3 published in October with BBC on June 14, 1939 (just a book stall set up during a week after I was born!). Group Reports both Society meetings that I was pleased to provide Pages 4 month. Roy Girling with some Group Reports extra information and Land Yeo Friends’ Report Again this book is edited by photographs to enable our prolific chairman, Rob, Pages 5 him to enlarge on another who wrote in the preamble of his previously published Notice Board on the cover, ‘If you have articles about war-time Page 6 an interest in Clevedon, Penicillin manufacture in Speakers’ Corner its views and vistas and, of Elton Road. Broadmead Before the Shops course, its people, then this Marianne North - Victorian Artist book is for you. The vast Not only did he edit the book but Rob Campbell Bristol Zoo majority of the images have not been published before.’ also wrote several of the chapters himself, Page 7 including a fascinating story about Our Somme Visit 2010 Members and friends of the Society have local flying man Collyns Price Pizey, an Pages 8 & 9 also contributed many of the chapters in acount of the heroic life of driver/nurse Civic Society Projects the book, including Roy Girling, who was Rose Norton Harper and the story of able to expand a previous article about the Pages 10 Henry Edward May’s courageous rescue local engineer, inventor and boat racing attempt in rough seas off the main beach A Town Councillor’s Month enthusiast, Michael John (Jack) Willcocks. in 1897. Page 11 There is a fascinating chapter, written Regency Villas by Austin Davis, about the building of Above all, this is a picture book. It Page 12 the Triangle Clock in 1898, with detailed contains nearly 400 old photographs diagrams of the structure of the building taken in and around Clevedon in the past Weston Pier - Open and the clock mechanism. Chris Stone has 100 years or more. If you attended school Page 13 contributed a chapter entitled, ‘Resting in Clevedon during the last 50 years or All Saints’ Church @ 150 Places and Watering Holes.’ John Penny, were a member of a sports or theatrical Page 14 has written an article about the radio group or if you took part in any of the Military Chest mast which has been such a landmark town’s post war carnivals, the chances are your face is to be found in the Collectors’ Lot pages of this, the latest book to Page 15 be published by our Society. Branch Line MARLENS’ Report As it says on the book cover, ‘It’s Page 16 a must for family historians and locals alike.’ Members’ Photograph Gallery Cartoon Corner Geoff Hale The views expressed are those of The book is available to Society the authors, and may or may not members at a special price of £12.00 represent those of the Society. www.clevedon-civic-society.org.uk/ Anniversary ChaIrman’S PIeCe Clevedon Footpaths Group GrouP rePorts Report by Rob Campbell Civic Report by Jean Hannaford Society cannot believe that we are now 40 I nearing the end of our 40th Anniversary Year, maybe that’s because we have been so busy. It started with the launch Effort is rewarding and as I approach Finally, as we all enjoyed the talk from n early summer the group planned Dolebury Warren and Brent Knoll of our ‘Blue Book’ which filled the much the end of my four year tenure as Gina Merrett Smith on the beautiful Ia wide variety of walks in Clevedon were two destinations visited needed gap in our knowledge about the your Chairman I hope that my input Victorian floral art work of Marianne and surrounding districts. The original in September, giving everyone very early period of Clevedon’s history. has emulated the work done by my North, whose collection is housed in a town walks were set out in the 1970s the chance to step out into the We then came up to date with the DVD predecessors. I am certainly proud of the special gallery at Kew Gardens, Wendy and are in the process of being updated countryside. The views from and more recently ‘Places & Faces’ which Society’s achievements over the last 40 and I decided to organise a trip so that one by one. This gives the group the both were stunning as a result of will I’m sure be known in the future as years and I am also proud and honoured we could marvel at it in person. The trip opportunity to find out how the routes excellent weather. our ‘Purple Book’. In between we had to have played my part in recent years. is booked for Thursday 28 April 2011 and have changed, or not, as the case may the Anniversary Dinner and of course May 2011 is rapidly moving towards us; the price is £26, which includes coach be. One of the walks was done in July In October Clevedon was again the beautiful renovation work carried Norma retires at the end of that month; and entry to Kew and the Palace. We will and another in August, the latter being the area for walking but this time Brent Knoll - 17 September 2010 out on the Pier Copse Viewpoint. All what will the future bring? However I be booking lunch for those who wish to an annual charity walk. July also saw the it was an updated route which this has been achieved with an awful lot feel sure that the future of the society eat together. Something to look forward group walking in Portishead. proved very interesting. Later in the cancelled due to very heavy rain. This of hard work by members of this great is in very safe hands, as Hugh Stebbing to when the weather warms up! month the group travelled to Bristol to will be rescheduled later in 2011. The society. takes the Chair as of the AGM. enjoy a bracing trek around the Downs. Gordano Valley, Berkley and the Purton This talk is reviewed on page 6 Next Footpaths Group meetings: Wrecks site on the banks of the Severn 7 March and 6 June 2011 In November the weather changed and Estuary are further walking venues Hugh Stebbing was elected as the Civic Society’s Vice Chairman at our AGM our historical walk in Portishead was taking the group to the end of 2010. in May 2010. Hugh will be the Executive Committee’s nomination to stand as wHO’S huGh? Chairman at the next AGM in May 2011. We asked Hugh to send us his CV! Local History Group Report by Rob Campbell (Tel. 877038) of Canons House at Harbourside in Away from the family and work Hugh Such is a politicians life! He and his PA and in her indomitable manner she had Bristol. This assignment resulted in a has been active in the City of London were extremely apologetic and by the us spellbound with interesting facts and family move from Woodford to Clevedon having been Master of the Worshipful good services of a number of members little anecdotes about Weston-super- where Christine and Hugh have lived in Company of Chartered Surveyors, a City an ad hoc evening was put together and Mare Worthies. Cambridge Road ever since. Michelle has Livery Company, and is Chairman of he second half of our Anniversary proved to be very enjoyable. moved to New Zealand where she trains the Governing Council of Clifton High TYear began with ‘Brave Rescues in As the 40th Anniversary Year closes let’s and races horses, Joanne is completing School, Bristol. He enjoys fly fishing, North Somerset’ with me talking about Our now traditional ‘Winter Supper’ look back at some of the fascinating talks her 7th year doing humanitarian work skiing and mountaineering. Hugh is a some of the life saving awards in my had the tables full to overflowing with that we have all enjoyed and the friendly in Romania and is in the process of practising Christian who worships at collection. Sadly in October, Stephen delicious goodies, some of which were atmosphere that we have all fostered. adopting seven year old Alex, an orphan, Christchurch where he also chairs the Williams MP had to submit his apologies homemade and now served on washable and Natalie is working in London as a redevelopment project team. He is also due to pressures of office, which I’m sure plates, so we all felt very smug about The programme for 2011 looks varied ugh was born 62 years ago midwife. active at Clevedon YMCA and, for the he never envisaged would evolve when doing our bit for the environment! We and interesting and definitely something Hin Walthamstow, Essex (now last 10 years, he, with Christine, has led the booking was made a year earlier. welcomed back Pat Hase that evening to look forward to. London...!!). He went to Forest School In February 2009 Hugh retired from what an annual residential summer camp for close to his home in South Woodford is now Lloyds Banking Group where children disadvantaged in their day-to- where he lived until moving a short he was Asset Management Director day lives. Hugh’s other great love is his Conservation & Planning Group distance to Woodford Green.