Programme of events in 2008
JANUARY | |
| Thursday 17th. 7.30 p.m. This meeting will take place at Temple Meads GWR Boardroom (access through stone arch on Temple Gate) not Kingswood |
A Joint Meeting with the Newcomen Society
Two speakers from each Society will speak on topics of interest. (Kingswood) |
| Thursday 24th. 7.30 p.m. (Kingswood). |
"Twentieth Century Military Defences around Gloucestershire"
Alan Strickland traces the structures remaining from the two World Wars |
FEBRUARY | |
| Thursday 14th. 7.30 p.m. (Kingswood). | "The sights and sounds of historic transport"
An audio-visual experience using material from Graham Vincent's extensive collection |
| Thursday 28th. 7.30 p.m. (Kingswood) | ""Museums and our Industrial Heritage""
Stuart Burroughs examines the current status of the industrial museum in a changing environment |
MARCH | |
| Thursday 13th. 7.30 p.m. (Kingswood). | ""-Brunel in the 21st. Century"" Will Harrris demonstrates. with the aid of slides. that many of IKB's projects survive and are still serving their original purpose long after the demise of their creator. |
| Saturdav 15th.2.00 p.m. | Annual General Meeting at the
University of Bath (building 3 East, Room 3E2.1)
Items for the agenda should be sent to the secretary Nominations for Officers and Committee Where next for BIAS |
| Thursday 27th.7.30 p.m. (Kingswood). | ""The final days of the Greenbank Chocolate factory""
BIAS member John Penny recounts the demise of a well-known chocolate producer. |
APRIL | |
| Sunday 6th.11.00 a.m. | "Road, River and Rail"
A guided walk with Stuart Burroughs pointing out the industrial heritage of the western centre of Bath, currently- the site of contentious development plans. Meet outside Green Park Station |
| Thursday 10th.7.30 p.m. (Kingswood). | "" "Swindon Works The Golden Years, 1880 - 1924""
Canon Brian Arman returns to survey what he believes to be the heyday of the famous Wiltshire railway works. |
| Thursday 24th.7.30 p.m. (Kingswood). | " "Cross Manufacturing - a local family firm""
Rodney Cross looks back at the history of an engineering company which has astablished a world-wide reputation yet remains an integral part of the local community. |
MAY | |
| Sunday 11th. 11.00 a.m. | A Walk along the Chard Canal and sites in Chard led by Geoff Fitton.""
A day trip to see some of the features of the Chard Canal (aqueduct, inclined planes and tunnels), and a walk around Chard to view the remaining industrial sites. Stout footwear advisable for some of the canal sites. Picnic lunch or pub. Meet at the large lay-by on the A38 at approx GR ST275294 (adjacent to the sign to Thurloxton). Suggested route is to leave M5 at junction 24 and follow A38 towards Taunton via North Petherton for about 3 Miles. The first stop will be at the rather hidden canal carpark at Creech St Michael. |
| Saturday 17th.9.OOa.m. | The South Wales and Western Region Industrial Archaeology Conference
Venue:- Kingswood Civic Centre, High Street Kingswood, South Gloucestershire BS15 9TR BUFFET LUNCH AVAILABLE Programme details and Booking Forms (prior booking essential) from the Secretary, Roger Davis, 8 Northfield Road, Portishead, Bristol BS20 8LE, Tel. 01275 847522 (Members are invited to join the organising team to assist with administration and other duties) |
JUNE | |
| Thursday 12th.7.30 p.m. | An evening walk around the Temple area of central Bristol led by Ken Andrews
Covering the Bristol Castle, Castle Ditch, Old Market, Broad Plain and Temple Back areas which encompass many of the historic and early industrial sites of the City. Meet at the south eastern corner of Bristol Bridge (GR ST590729) near the old Bath St. entrance to Georges' Brewery. |
| Sunday 15th 10.30 a.m. | Guided Tour of Glyn Pit (grid 266998), Pontypool
a valley of mining history. Meet in the carpark behind McDonalds of Pontypool (New Inn NP4 0XB) east of roundabout where A472 meets A4042. grid ST295998- this will save a long walk as we can go in convoy. http://www.sgmrg.co.uk/map?find=glynpit You can see an aerial view of Glyn Pit on Google maps: You can see some fantastic looking banks on the slope opposite. http://www.pontypoolglynpits.co.uk/location.htm I guess the New Crumlin Road is just North of it - the A472, with (old, plain) Crumlin Road alongside. |
| Sunday 29th.10.30 a.m. | A visit to sites in the South Gloucestershire Coalfield
A chance to see latest developments at Oldwood Pit and Setridge Pit, with members of the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group. Meet at Oldwood Pit GR ST700852, remaing there for lunch, then transferring to Serridge. If you are intending to join the visit, please let John Munden know beforehand (evenings only) |
JULY | |
| Thursday 10th. 7.30 p.m. | An evening walk around Combe Down Village, Bath
With members of the Combe Down Local History Society to see some of the quarries and Ralph Allen work sites. Meet at the Hadley Arms at the top of Ralph Allen Drive (GR ST761626) |
| Sunday 27th. 11.00 a.m. | A walk on the Wilts & Berks Canal
A visit to restoration sites on the Wilts & Berks Canal (completed 1797) and the North Wilts Canal that. when re-opened will link Trowbridge on the Kennet and Avon Canal with Abingdon on the Thames. Meet at the Waitrose Car Park. Cirencester (GR SP021017), just off the A429 A433 ring road. |
AUGUST | |
| Thursday 7th. 7.30 p.m. | An evening walk around the Southgate area of Bath
Now undergoing extensive re-development, with many of the familiar landmarks fast disappearing and modifications to the Brunel station imminent, this is an opportune time to visit the area. Mike Chapman will be our guide. Meet at the back (river side) of Bath Spa station. |
| Saturday 16th., Sunday 17th. 11.00 a.m. | " The Brunel Experience" - A Guided Tour
Two visits on consecutive days to the original Brunel station at Temple Meads. This may prove to be the last opportuniy to visit the site as the present occupier, The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum is moving to London and the premises are up for sale. Each tour party is limited to a maximum of 20. Fee £5.50 per person, Names and cheque to Treasurer. |
SEPTEMBER | |
| Thursday 11th. Kingswood 7.30 p.m. | "BIAS - The next forty years"
A chance for members to discuss and debate the issues and proposals contained in the paper prepared on behalf of the Committee by Jim Pimpernell (Copy enclosed with this Bulletin). Please attend and support this meeting as it is essential that we have the backing and contribution from the membership if we are to implement the proposals which we feel are essential if we are to keep BIAS at the forefront of IA matters in the future. |
| Saturday 13th. | Bristol "Doors Open" day
A day when access can be gained to buildings not normally open to the public. See visitbristol.co.uk |
| Thursday 25th. Kingswood 7.30 p.m. | "Fore and Aft"
A pictorial journey through the remains of the Purton hulks. A talk by Paul Barnett. |
OCTOBER | |
| Thursday 9th. Kingswood 7.30 p.m. | "From Field to Factory"
BIAS member Sandy Buchanan will draw on his recent publication to discuss the emergence of new technology and business organisations in the manufacture of goods using hemp and flax in Somerset. |
| Thursday 23rd. Kingswood 7.30 p.m. | "Putting Bath and Bristol in the Picture"
John Penny returns to tell the story of how the television network was built in the area, with all the trials and tribulations involved. |
MEETING VENUES
'Kingswood' meetings are held in the offices of South Gloucestershire Council, the Kingswood Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood BS15 9TR. Members will note that, for some meetings, we have neen able to book the Council Chamber, thus relieving the pressure on space that we have experienced at some well-attended meetings.'Bath' meetings are held at the Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath.
For all walks and field visits, wear stout shoes and adequate weather equipment. Bring picnic lunches as necessary