Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society (BIAS)

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200th anniversary of the opening of the floating harbour.

The Floating Harbour, made up of Avon New Cut and Feeder Canal, was opened on 1 May 1809, and was created by civil engineer William Jessop. It contains 80 acres of impounded, non-tidal water At the time it was opened, it was the largest artificially-impounded area of water in the world. More than 1,000 men worked on the project The Harbour, estimated to cost £212,470 in 1802, actually cost £594,000 - the equivalent of about £34m today.
The Bank Holiday Monday Fun Day will be officially opened by the Deputy Lord Mayor at 1pm. The free event runs from 12.30pm to 5pm, next to Brunel's ss Great Britain, and will include a jazz band, theatre performances, sea shanty singers, a treasure hunt, and lots of children's games. The Pyronaut will be operating. More details

Suspension Bridge

5 April: Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge was closed on Saturday evening after a crack was found in one of its metal hanging rods. Dorothea Restorations came to the rescue.
Suspension Bridge
undoing the 150 year old stud after supporting the chains		 Suspension Bridge
the break can clearly be seen
Suspension Bridge
removing the broken rod		Suspension Bridge
David Anderson the Bridge Master looking at the stud

New Cumberland basin lock gates

18 March 09: Two specially built 50-tonne steel gates travelled by pontoon up the River Avon at morning high tide. They replace the 140- year-old Victorian pitch-pine wooden gates, which were removed in December. The new gates – or ‘leaves’ – are made of steel and made by Dutch company, Ravestein. They weigh 50 tonnes each and replace the wooden gates, which weigh a staggering 80 tonnes each. A 500-tonne crane at the dockside on Brunel Lock Road lifted the gates from the pontoon and transferring them to a floating crane barge in the docks.
The crane barge lifted each gate into their final position at North Junction Lock, with the help of divers to slot them into place. The gates hold the water in the docks, and also protect the city from flooding in case the entrance gates closer to the River Avon ever fail. It was the latest stage in an £11-million scheme to secure the effective working of the historic docks and safeguard the city from flood risks. Pictures.
More details

Save Didcot Railway

March 09: The Great Western Society might be forced out of its home, where it's been for over 40 years, one of the best if not the best preserved railways in the country. Don't let Network Rail force the closure of the GWS and Didcot and destroy a GWS as we know it.
Sign this petition by 21 November 09 http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Save-the-GWS/

The Great Western Society has held a lease for the site since the 1970s which runs until 2019; however there is a clause enabling Network Rail to give the Society six months notice to quit if it so chooses. The Society’s management has always felt that they should attempt to secure the long term future of Didcot Railway Centre by acquiring the freehold or a long term leasehold.

In 2002 the Society opened negotiations with Network Rail to achieve that aim which culminated in a letter from them in May 2007 saying they were prepared to sell the site subject to ORR approval, which would be submitted following confirmation that there would be no knock-on effects in the Didcot area from the rebuilding of Reading station. Having clarified the site would not be required in connection with either the construction of a new diesel depot (Reading was the chosen location) or, subsequently, the Inter City Express project, it was assumed the projected purchase could proceed.

However, they have now received a further letter from Network Rail saying there has been a change of policy and the offer to sell the land is withdrawn. After six years of effort to achieve long-term security for Didcot Railway Centre they appear to have gone full circle rather than progress forwards. For the moment the status quo has not changed; the security of tenure remains as it always has been but therein lies the problem, it has not been improved which is their aim. A new lease has been suggested but w ith the short notice break clause which frustrates the larger site development plans they wish to undertake. At present they are awaiting a response from their MP.

Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA)

Jan 09: English Heritage have now extended its Heritage at Risk Register to include Scheduled Monuments, Registered parks and Gardens, Registered Battlefields and Protected Wrecks. There is also a list of 212 sites found on the register deemed to be of industrial archaeological interest and therefore of concern to us all. This can be found on the AIA's website: http://www.industrial-archaeology.org.uk It is up to individuals in each area to take action, rally support and make a case for the rescue and preservation of sites they believe to be important. The local sites are:
City of Bristol Bristol Carriage Works, Westmoreland House, 104 Stokes Croft, St Pauls BS6 5NP. Grade II*. Very Bad. Contact: Justin Ayton, 0117 975 0687 Carriage works, 1862. A notable Bristol Byzantine building. Large and complex site including 4 Ashley Road (grade II) also in very bad condition. Planning application 07/05763/F for mixed use development has been submitted. Part refurbishment and part demolition of existing buildings to provide 186 self-contained flats and shops at ground level with provision of a three level parking facility
North Somerset Nailsea Elms Colliery. Poor. Not listed. Contact: Mel Barge, 0117 975 1300 One of the most complete examples of a late C18 colliery remaining in England. Three standing structures and further exposed archaeological remains. All buildings unroofed, derelict and subject to neglect and vandalism. Discussions taking place for colliery to be handed over to the Nailsea Historic Monuments Trust.
Weston Super Mare Birnbeck Pier Very Bad. Grade II*. Contact: Arnold Root, 0117 975 0665 Main pier connecting Birnbeck Island to the mainland below Prince Consort Gardens. Dated 1862, opened 1867. Disused apart from the lifeboat station on the island. Ownership recently changed and positive negotiations taking place between Local Planning Authority, owner, English Heritage and others about repair of pier and development of island.
South Gloucestershire Pucklechurch Brandy Bottom Colliery Very Bad Contact: Mel Barge, 0117 975 1300 (Will Harris is also involved) Former C19 steam-powered colliery built on the site of C18 colliery. Above-ground remains include weighbridge, chimney, engine house, workshop, heapstead, boiler house and Cornish beam engine house, fan house and horizontal-winding engine house. A condition survey has been commissioned and consultation on the scope of a conservation plan is underway.

Bristol Records Office

8 Jan 09: John Penny is currently helping digitize the 245 films held by the Records Office to preserve them and to make them more accessible to the public. 100 have been done so far and there will be a trial at the end of January to view them. A booth will be set up in the Records Office.

Shiela Betterton

Long-standing member Shiela Betterton (1920 – 2008) of Combe Down died on Boxing Day. Together with her husband Ernest they were early joint members of BIAS and joined in many of the organised visits. For a time they were joint editors of the Bulletin. She had been a Mayor’s Guide and local magistrate and supporter of the Museum of Bath at Work. However, her particular love was the American Museum at Claverton Down where, initially as a Guide, she developed her interesting in quilting and became Curator of the museum’s quilt collection, writing a number of books on the subject during her time there. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends, particularly those in BIAS. n.b. Shiela’s name has not been printed incorrectly. When her father registered her birth he did not know how to spell her name, so assumed it was spelt the same way as the town where she was born – North Shields! A unique name for a unique person.

Brunel Swivel Bridge

Suspension Bridge Resurfacing

Suspension Bridge road timbers Suspension Bridge asphalt
The existing timber kerbs and their mastic asphalt covering were removed, along with the cast iron drainage gullies and the timber splashboards. A new drainage channel was installed, with narrow glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GRP) splashboards and extruded asphalt kerbs on both sides of the roadway. The roadway was also resurfaced, and some of the timber replaced (last done 50 years ago). Work on the £650,000 project started in July 2008 and finished in December 2008.

Frog Lane Colliery

Do you have any photographs, artefacts or documents linked to the history of Frog Lane Colliery or Coalpit Heath? Or any memories of the pit and the area?
For more details contact the Mines Research group Andy Brander (01454 882867), David Hardill (01454) 862200 or Steve Grudgings (07768 381502). http://www.sgmrg.co.uk/froglane

Next year, 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the closure of the pit at Frog Lane, and South Glos Mines Research Group, Yate & District Heritage Centre and local community and heritage groups are joining forces for "Frog Lane 1949-2009" to mark the closure of Frog Lane Colliery, the last major coal mining concern in the Yate/Coalpit Heath area.
Frog Lane 1949-2009 will be a major event in 2009 consisting of a book, key exhibition, CD and numerous mining events and activities.
We need YOUR help and your readers / listeners' help in making this the biggest event possible .
So do YOU know someone who worked there? Or has photos or records of a family member who worked there? If so, come along to the Miners InstituteThursday or on 29th Nov - for a chat.
NOTE: Photos of miners who have already come forward available Further information available
If you would like to attend either event we would be happy to facilitate that, Please contact: Chris Willmore 07973 740290

Monty Ellis

9 Oct 08: It is with great regret that we announce the death of Monty Ellis at the age of 92, retired Telecoms Superintendent, Monty was a telegraph operator during the war. He was a long-time member of BIAS and wrote several articles about the early history of the telephone in our area in the BIAS Journal. He was a familiar sight at our meetings, making very astute comments. He died while writing a letter so a very peaceful way to go.

Industrial Museum sheds

Display: Cabot Circus Archaeology Display - temporary

Until November 2008 Bristol’s City Museum & Art Gallery, front hall, ground floor
Come and see the history of Broadmead and Quakers Friars unearthed! Archaeological excavations were undertaken across the site of the new Cabot Circus scheme to discover explanatory information about the origins of this part of the city before construction work began on the £500 million development. The display features a series of panels that tell the story of how Bristol has evolved since the area was founded in the 12th Century. Visitors will be able to find out about the artefacts and buildings that were uncovered on the site, and learn about medieval craftsmen, the Blackfriars, the first Quaker Meeting House, the rapid expansion of Bristol in the 18th century and the cramped and insanitary living conditions of the Victorian era

Service review of Bristol's Museums Galleries and Archives

17 Sept 08: I have been asked to circulate this letter concerning the current service review of Bristol's Museums Galleries and Archives for your urgent consideration, and for the consideration of the organisations with which you are involved. Through Renaissence in the Regions, Bristol is the Hub museum for South Gloucestershire. Should you wish to comment or act on this letter, the Unison contact details are at the bottom of the letter. You may wish to comment on this letter to officers or councillors of Bristol City Council. Officers include the

Goonvean

22 September 08: Goonvean engine has now been removed from the engine house, by Century Millwrights and is currently awaiting transportation to Hayle where it will be rebuilt by Century Millwrights in a new purpose built engine house. The future means of operating the engine are being considered and steam is not ruled out. Century Millwrights whilst being based at Kew bridge Steam Museum, is a seperate company. This engine was built by Harveys of Hayle in 1863 and had three locations on mines in the St, Agnes area before moving to its present location in the clay in 1910 where it worked until 1956. English Heritage have given permission for the engine to be moved so that the valuable clay beneath the site can be extracted. (Ron Plaster)
10 Sept 08: work has started on the dismantling of the Goonvean engine, one of the last in situ pumping engines in Cornwall; the work being overseen by Kew Bridge. As I understand it the intention is to put the engine in storage in the short term. Long term; rumour has it that the engine is bound for the Harvey's site at Hayle. I am not too sure what will happen with the engine once it is at Hayle, I have heard that it is intended to display the engine in dismantled form (rumour).
On the wider subject of engines in Cornwall - it does seem a shame that there is not large pumping engine in steam - especially given the County's world heritage status. (Rick Stewart)

MUSEUM COSTS SPARK ALARM

Industrial Museum Sagaupdated 10 September 2008

Bryngwyn Engine House, Bedwas

3 July 08: Further to my last posting, I have now received a reply to my letter to Robin Smith the Technical Director of Charles Church Wales. In which he states:- "I and my fellow Directors of Charles Church Wales remain committed to the scheme to consolidate and make safe the Bryngwyn Engine House. However, I would confirm that the works shall not be commencing during 2008, as it is now too late in the year to ensure the works can be carried out in suitable weather conditions. I would confirm that it is Charles Church Wales intention to commence procurement for the works early in 2009, with an on site start anticipated May June 2009."
Graham Levins, Secretary, Welsh Mines Preservation Trust, graham.levins@btinternet.com, WMPTsecretary@welshmines.org, 01293-510567 07880-817370

Combe Down Stone Mines

22 April 2008: The Society has learned from a planning application (08/0097) of a proposal that the approved scheme of mitigation to be applied to areas of special archaeological importance within the mines is to he abandoned and areas previously set aside for future evaluation are to be filled with foam concrete.
Our Committee and its President deplore the continuing erosion of the programme of mitigation which should have permitted further examination of the mines when more time, and more sophisticated methods, will become available to future investigators.
There is also some surprise felt that, even after so long a period of inspection as has already been accorded, additional hazards can now be discovered which were unknown to experts in many fields hitherto and which require this drastic approach.
The maintenance of some degree of access to the former mines, as provided for in the original plans, is of very great concern to us. The importance of such a facility has been readily appreciated in other comparable, and often less unusual, sites in this country and overseas. These are often exploited as modest, but significant, magnets for both specialists and tourists.
We should be failing in our responsibilities to our successors if vve were to deprive them of the possibility of exploring and interpreting such an integral feature of the physical history of Bath. For more information see Coombe Down Heritage Society http://www.combedownheritage.org.uk/
2006: An International Congress to visit underground mine at Combe Down. The importance of preserving public access and heritage is highlighted. Members of the 5th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics will be taken underground on the 30th June (details).

Horstmann Car Rally

Horstmann car
Horstmann
5 Horstmann assembled on the Bandstand Lawn, Royal Victoria Park 11am-4pm on Saturday 7 June along with a few other contemporary cars. Organised by Museum of Bath At Work to celebrate 30 years of Museum at Work

Brunel's Atmospheric Pumping House Totnes

16 Feb
16 Feb		 25 feb
25 Feb

10 March 08: we won. English Heritage has now granted the building listed status, which means it can not be knoocked down
Details of the story from 16 Feb 08

For sale: The Brunel-designed building housing the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum

5 Feb 07BRISTOL'S Old Station, including the British and Empire Commonwealth Museum is on the market - and could be sold for as much as £3 million. 2 Feb 08: (Evening Post) The building, designed by Isam­bard Kingdom Brunel houses the oldest railway terminus in the world. The sale, by the trustees of the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, follows their decision to move the museum to London to reach a wider audience. Situated adjacent to Bristol Tem­ple Meads station, the site will be sold on a 299 year lease and includes 88,846 sq ft of buildings on a site of approximately 1.35 acres. The grade I-listed building has enjoyed a £7 million restoration since the museum moved in in 2002, earning it a nomination as a World Heritage Site.
Property agents Knight Frank are selling the site through a sealed bid system and no official guide price has been revealed but property experts believe the site could be sold for as much as £3m. Mark Brunsdon, regional senior director at Clifton property agent GVA Grimley said: "There are lim­itations on its use as it is listed, but it is close to Temple Quay which is redeveloping rapidly "It is unlikely to get planning permission for residential use but the large open spaces would make ideal studios for BBC or ITV and it is a great location. I would expect it to fetch between £2m and £3m."
The grade-I listed buildings in­clude three elements. These include the Station Offices which were built for the staff for the administration of the Temple Meads station and the Great Western Railway and includ­ed Brunei's original drawing office and today provides mostly office ac­commodation; the Engine Shed which housed the steam engines and a turntable to rotate the trains as Bristol was a terminus and today houses the museum, the museum cafe and a nursery; and the Pas­senger Shed which is used as an exhibition and venue for events, and has a capacity of 950 people.
Martin Booth, partner at Knight Frank's Bristol office which is sell­ing the property; said: "The core office area alongside the site has already established itself as the new commercial heart for the city "The vision for Temple Quay as a whole is a vibrant high density mix of development with housing, offices, retail and leisure facilities. "The Old Station is regarded as the focal point and `Jewel in the Crown' in the Temple quarter.

Going Nuclear - and Bath Cabinet Makers

The following letter has been received from BIAS member Michael Bussell of London W14 Nov 07
With nuclear power stations, there is clearly a case for listing or scheduling the more notable structures. Both Dounreay and Calder Hall at Sellafield (nd Windscale) merit consideration. The criteria for retention should focus on their technological significance rather than what is often their desperately banal `architecture' - by a well-known architect, brought in to 'cosmeticise' what doesn't easily take to wearing make-up. Alas, technical significance may not count for much...
Which, as in your essay (in the last bulletin), brings me to the former Bath Cabinet Makers' factory on Lower Bristol Road, Bath. You will know, Stuart, from when we met and I passed you the booklet commemorating the opening which I attended, that I have a personal interest to declare, in that my late father was chairman of the Yatton Furniture Group, of which BCM was part. The Mero space frame roof, of which this was the first to be used in Britain, was and probably still is the most elegant `modular' space frame system, although sadly it is being undercut by cheaper systems. They seem to be vulnerable - the first Mero roof in the Middle East, to my knowledge (1975, VIP entrance to Doha Stadium, Qatar) was recently demolished to make way for something more like the new Wembley Stadium roof If it's either survival as a Lidl store or demolition, I'm for the former! If we have to wait 50 years before such modem structures can be listed, then there might be nothing left to list. On the other hand, the decommissioning and 'cool-down' periods for nuclear facilities - often lengthier than their productive lifespan! - might leave more from which to select, although I fear they will be on cleared sites from which the `clean' buildings have been removed - as unhelpful to proper understanding as are the splendid, but empty and forsaken, .nL,ine-houses of Cornwall to an understanding of the Cornish mining industry.

DYSON TURNS HIS BACK ON BATH

Bath Chronicle, 08:00 - 06 September 2007
Vacuum cleaner billionaire Sir James Dyson has said he will not pursue plans to build a £25m design academy anywhere in Bath. Representatives of the inventor, who started his career in the city, made the announcement yesterday afternoon after Dyson lost his preferred South Quays site to Bath Spa University earlier in the week. The land, at Lower Bristol Road, was originally going to be shared between the Dyson School of Design and Innovation and the university's new arts campus But unresolved problems with flood risk at the site eventually led landowner Bath and North East Somerset Council to decide that there was only enough room to safely accommodate one of the two projects. Both schemes were subjected to a competitive tendering process and the university won.
A spokesperson for the James Dyson Foundation - the educational wing of Dyson's business empire - said: "Naturally we're disappointed by the council's decision. "Our plans for the Dyson School of Design Innovation were at an advanced stage. "We've been progressing the plans for more than two years and invested more than £3m. "The Dyson school had received a great reception from local schools, parents and children in and around Bath. "But we're still utterly committed to getting the Dyson School up and running by September 2009. "We're currently investigating other sites and are confident that the school will go ahead in the south west - but not in Bath. "Despite losing the site we'll endeavour nonetheless to involve Bath's young people in the excitement and challenge of design and invention, with the ultimate aim being to get more young people pursuing careers in science and engineering."
Political and business leaders yesterday gave a mixed reaction to the news. Cllr Chris Watt (Con, Midsomer Norton Redfield), B &NES Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "Bath Spa University will deliver a greater number of people with qualifications with a better fit to the local economy. "So although in itself the news about the Dyson school is a disappointment, the news about Bath Spa University having the opportunity to further invest in the area more than makes up for that."
Bath's Lib Dem MP Don Foster said: "I'm very disappointed that what would have been a very exciting addition to educational provision in Bath is not going ahead. "I hope that wherever the academy is eventually sited there will still be an opportunity for students from Bath to benefit from its courses and facilities. "Nevertheless, I'm pleased that we will be having another exciting development from Bath Spa University on the site."
Colin Skellett, chairman of business leaders' group the Initiative for Bath and North East Somerset, said: "I know that both the regional development agency and the council have worked hard to try to resolve the issues. "But the basic problem was that it was not possible to get both the Dyson academy and Bath Spa University on to the same site. "It's good that the site is going to be used by Bath Spa University, but it is a great shame that this prestigious national academy isn't going to be in Bath."

God's Wonderful Railway on track to be world heritage site

Steven Morris Friday July 7, 2006 The Guardian
The average commuter probably doesn't particularly notice the tunnels, cuttings, bridges and stations on the London to Bristol railway line as they whizz by on the journey to the office. But English Heritage yesterday put its weight behind a campaign to have the Great Western Railway recognised as a world heritage site, alongside the likes of the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge. At a conference in Bristol, Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, said that the line, one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's greatest achievements, was a "breathtaking" monument to British endeavour.

ARSONISTS DESTROY DOCKSIDE WAREHOUSE

08 May 2007
Owners of a derelict dockside warehouse were today assessing the damage caused by a major fire at the weekend. The McArthur's warehouse in Gas Ferry Road, behind the ss Great Britain, was set alight by arsonists on Sunday evening. A group of youths was seen running from the building, which is due to be demolished and redeveloped later this year, after the intense blaze began. Two homeless people who had been using the warehouse to sleep rough managed to get out before the fire took hold. Avon Fire and Rescue said 30 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze, which started at about 8.30pm. They were at the scene for several hours and returned to the building yesterday to damp down and check for damage. Station manager Gary Carr-Smith said: "This was an intense fire on the second and third floors of the building. We believe it was started deliberately."
The Victorian redbrick building, which has wooden floors, has been derelict for 20 years. It stands between the Albion dockyard and the ss Great Britain heritage site and has been at the centre of a lengthy planning wrangle over proposals for its redevelopment. A £26 million scheme to demolish the warehouse and build flats, shops and offices on the site was thrown out at a planning inquiry in 2002. London-based developers Quada came up with a new scheme which was eventually given the go-ahead in March 2005, in spite of continued opposition from conservationists who feared the proposed new buildings would spoil the views of Brunel's historic ship.
Richard Bellman, of Quada (Harbourside) Ltd, said: "The McArthur's building was already in an extremely poor state and is due to be demolished towards the end of the year to make way for new development. "Our security experts are reviewing the state of the building following the fire. There had been reports that people had broken in and were using the building, and we were taking steps to deal with this. "It was not however possible for our security team to check out exactly what was going on in there at all times as the interior is very extensive and it was too dangerous to venture into some areas of the building. "Once we have had time to assess the full extent of the damage we will decide what if any action needs to be taken to secure the building."

Stothert and Pitt site, Bath

2 Feb 2007 : magnificent news that the Newark Works on Lower Bristol Road, Bath has just been awarded Grade II listing by English Heritage (The Bath Chronicle, January 25). Details
January 2007: James Dyson seems to have had a change of heart about demolishing the Stothert and Pitt site on the Bath Road.

Yate rail yard

Oxford Archaeology have been commissioned to undertake an assessment of the function and historical significance of a military railway site in Yate, South Gloucestershire. David Evans of South Glos Council has asked Jon to consult BIAS to obtain our views and to see if you had any relevant information.
The site is a rail transfer yard which was constructed by (or for) the Americans during World War II probably as part of Operation Bolero (the build-up to D-Day). There survives two vast storage sheds where US military equipment was presumably stored, after being shipped to Bristol Docks, and the site is linked by branch rail lines to the main line from Bristol. After the war the site passed to the Royal Navy and it is now occupied by the Highways Agency.
Would you happen to know anything about this site or do you hold any material relating to this site? The sorts of questions that they are trying to answer are: Reply to jon gill email:j.gill@oxfordarch.co.uk

Samuel Plimsoll bust

Christina Raddon, Building Surveyor, CSS Property, Tel 01179037457
I am the surveyor looking after the plimsoll bust on Hotwells Road which is currently boxed in. It needs to be moved in order to enable the essential maintenance works Wessex Water are carrying out. I thought this would be an opportunity to move it somewhere more accessible to the public, especially as the traffic pollution is having a detrimental effect on the stone in its current location. I have found a nice spot down by the SS Great Britain and am applying for planning permission to move it there. It would still be looking out towards the water.

Secret Underground Television Programme

Feb 06: Chris Serle presented a set of 4 half hour Thursday programmes on ITV 1 West 7:30 on local secret underground sites.

Feasibility Study and Working Group for Old Mills Colliery Engine


Bristol Industrial Museum are to fund a feasibility study to investigate the possible re-erection of the Old Milk Colliery winding engine. A consultancy has been appointed and a working group formed in connection with Richard Maggs of Radstock Museum which has invited local councillors and interested parties to work with them.
The engine is the single largest item in Bristol Museums and Art Galleries Service's indoor collection and spent its life at Old Mill Colliery outside Radstock. The engine was acquired when Bristol was collecting for a new museum on Castle Park which never materialised and when the service's collecting area for local history extended much further than it does today. There is almost no likelihood of its display in the city, yet there is a considerable ground swell of interest in its return to Radstock.
The engine is of some significance in coal mining history. It is believed to be the earliest colliery winding engine to survive nationally, having been built in 1861,and is very representative of the simple, robust, inefficient machines commonly used until the 1930s. It was made at the foundry at Paulton, near Radstock run by the mineowner William Evans and it is the largest product of this works to survive. The engine worked for over a century until the final days of the North Somerset coalfield hauling wagons of coal and spoil to the surface. Shortly before the pit closed British Coal commissioned a film of it at work. Bristol Museum acquired the engine in 1966.
Dismantled the engine occupies approximately 32 square metres and assembled it would measure l0m x 7m and stand 3m high. It weighs approximately 28 tons.
BIAS Chairman Stuart Burroughs has been asked to join the working group in 2006 and to represent BIAS's position on the future for this important engine.

Change of Logo

Email Maggie.Shapland@bristol.ac.uk to let me know which you like:

News of Members

Mrs Joan Ellis and Mr. Roy Day
It is with sorrow that we record that the deaths have occurred in recent months of two members, Mrs Joan Ellis of Rangeworhy, wife of member Monty Ellis and Mr. Roy Day of Keynsham. It was only recently that Roy was elected, together with his wife Joan, as an Honorary Member of BIAS, in recognition of his contribution from the earliest days of the organisation. We extend our sympathies to relatives and friends. We have received the following appreciation:-
Roy Day 1923-2004 Roy attended the first series of lectures on industrial archaeology given in 1964 by Angus Buchanan and Neil Cossons and organized by the Extra-Mural Department of Bristol University, becoming an enthusiastic supporter. Three years later he joined the local clamour for a society, becoming the first Treasurer of BIAS, remaining a committee member when others took over, and later becoming Chairman. Making use of an art-biased education which turned to engineering with the coming of war, Roy was very much involved in producing the early Journals, being responsible for the layout, which basically remains the same today, but which was then at the forefront of current trends in graphics, as were his quite distinctive cover designs.
He contributed four articles to the Journal in the first twenty years or so, covering subjects such as Wiltshire iron, early ferro-concrete in Bristol, lettering styles on street signs and the coming and going of early picture palaces. Concurrently Roy was active in the international group which became the Historical Metallurgy Society, editing their new Newsletter from the 1970s to 1984 and designing their Journal, working in collaboration with the editor, Professor R. F. Tylecote, who became a great friend. He was also a very early supporter of the national Association for Industrial Archaeology, designing and producing their early newsletters.
From the 1980s, Roy supported his wife Joan in the campaign to prevent the 'development' of the structure of Saltford Brass Mill, later joining the group working to conserve the building and open it to the public. He attended work parties there regularly until taken to hospital three months before he died on 11th October 2004, five days short of his 81st. birthday.

Medal for Past Chairman

Former BIAS Chairman, David K Brown, has been awarded the Anderson Medal by the Society for Nautical Research marking a long term contribution to maritime history. In particular, the award relates to a series of five books on the history of British warship design from 1800 to 1985. The last volume is Rebuilding the Royal Navy 1945-1985 (co-author George Moore) during which period warship design was centred in Bath.

NEWS FROM THE ASSOCIATION FOR INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY

Mike Bone
There is some sad news - Peter Neaverson died just before Christmas. Peter was a member of Council and a former joint editor of the AIA journal and co-author (with Marilyn Palmer) of many books and articles on IA. Their last book (on the textile trades of the south-west) was completed shortly before his death. He will be much missed by ALA members and others with an interest in IA.

From around the Region- News from our Area Representatives

Conservation in Bristol

Mike Bone
BIAS continues to keep a watching brief on developments in the city. Plans for major schemes at Wapping Wharf and the Bristol Brewery site have still to be deposited with Bristol City Council but we will continue to monitor progress. The development process now frequently involves a series of 'stakeholder' meetings prior to submission of plans. The latest of industrial interest has involved Huller House' and the 'Cheese' warehouse near Redcliffe Bridge and the WCA building. These are, I believe, the last of the old waterside warehouses to be converted. The developer is Angel Property, a firm with an excellent track record of adaptive re-use (jam factory in East London and the Dartmouth Pottery [ex brewery but originally a papermill] in Devon). The plans look good with much original fabric kept (Huller) and the 'Hennibique' pre-cast concrete frame (Cheese warehouse) kept but with new cladding. BIAS Journal 13 (1980) has an article 'Feno-Concrete' on this system by the late Roy Day. In addition to former 'industrial' sites, much is happening in Bristol and other 'stakeholder' events have featured in the redevelopment of the fonner Bristol & West tower (on the Centre) and access from here to the refurbished Queen Square, i.e. the area of the roundabout currently used for buses to turn. We can also expect some interesting reports from archaeological work on 'developing' sites at Canons Marsh (gasworks) and Avon Street (glassworks).

De Montalt Mill

Owen Ward
This former paper mill site, listed Grade II (see Bulletin 110) has been put on the market at an asking price of £1.5M, with full planning consent for conversion into six residential units. Any sale was jeopardised, however, by the fact that planning consent was due to expire on February 26th. An application to extend consent was subject to an objection by Bath Preservation Trust on the grounds that no attempt had been made to weatherproof the buildings over the last two years. It has been reported that an 18 month extension has now been granted. Agents for the sale are Knight Frank of Broad Quay, Bristol, to whom all offers should be submitted.

Serge Manufactory

Stuart Burroughs
A rare painting of the first 'serge manufactory' established on the site of Twerton Upper Mill has been donated to the Museum of Bath at Work. Presented by Mrs Armstrong, whose family took over the running of the mill in the 1930s, the painting dates from 1780.

SS Great Britain Museum

In BIAS Journal No.36, member Keith Hickman related the tale of the upper section of the No.1 funnel from the P&SS Great Eastern which had been serving as a kind of giant strainer at the Sutton Poyntz Pumping Station in Dorset. One of is illustrations shows the funnel section being removed from the spring head where it had rested for more than a century. Keith tells us that this historic artefact has been moved to the SS Great Britain Museum, now located in the Maritime Heritage Centre building on Wapping Wharf. Keith was present in the welcoming party when the funnel was delivered.

Ochre Mines and Works at Wick - An Update

Mike Breakspear
In 1998 the article entitled 'The Ochre Mines and Works at Wick, South Gloucestershire' by Ron Smith and myself was published in BIAS Journal No 31. Recently, through the internet, I.was put in touch with Mike Beavis whose father Mr C.M. Beavis was Mark- Director of Golden Valley Colours and he has added to my knowledge of the Company and its management. This is printed in Bulletin 114 as an addendum to the original article.

At the present time the site is being developed as a nature reserve and fences have been erected to keep the public away from 'dangerous' areas. These include the reservoir above the dam though apparently further work is to be carried out to make this area safe. The only structure remaining is the winding house at the top of the incline. It urgently needs some restoration work if only to the roof. The remains of a truck which was half buried next to the winding house has been moved to a safer place.

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