People’s History

A black and white photo of the River Avon with a steam boat listing to the left framed by the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

People's History

‘A disgraceful orgy of robbery’: when the Ettrick got stuck in the Avon

In 1924, a steamship ran aground near Sea Mills. When its cargo of cigarettes, chocolate and other desirable goods was thrown overboard, who could blame local people for helping themselves to the booty?

David Hewitt
David Hewitt

People's History

From dubious mermaids to harsh prison conditions: how Fred Little documented Bristol a century ago

Michal Grant
Michal Grant

Area in Focus

A woman and a man stand smiling in the hall of a community centre

How St Paul’s residents fought to make the Malcolm X Centre a space for the community

Isaac Kneebone-Hopkins
Before the Second World War, Castle Street, where Mary Burridge took from Woolworth’s was one of Bristol’s main shopping streets

People's History

How a media backlash led to a St Paul’s woman’s dramatic release from prison

In 1933 Mary Burridge, a poor mother of five, was sentenced to a month’s hard labour after stealing a few items of food at Easter. But after a national outcry over her treatment, a wealthy lawyer flew to Cardiff to free her from prison.

David Hewitt
David Hewitt
A young man in a Scouts hat and scarf, shown in an archive photo

People's History

The ‘Red Scout’: how a boy from Brislington became caught up in anti-communist hysteria

David Hewitt
David Hewitt

People's History

A home for the ‘Hypochondriac, Mad and Distracted’: remembering the ‘madhouses’ of Fishponds

Mike Jempson
Mike Jempson

People's History

‘An intolerable anachronism’: it’s 60 years since the last hanging took place in Bristol

On 17 December 1963, the final judicial execution in our city brought a long history of local executions to an end. We look back on what happened in Horfield in 1963, and the campaign to end the death penalty.

Eugene Byrne
Eugene Byrne

People's History

Image of former Bristol police chief John Henderson Watson surrounded by his constables

The Bristol police chief embroiled in corruption who died with a razor in his hand

John Henderson Watson had a long and distinguished police career and was Bristol’s chief constable for 14 years – before his career ended in scandal and his disappearance.

David Hewitt
David Hewitt

Bristol History Podcast

Image of Arthur Rackham's 'Fairy Procession', originally for a 1908 edition of Shakespeare's Midsummer Nights Dream

Listen: Sabrina, goddess of the River Severn

Nicola Haasz discusses the origin myths of Sabrina, goddess of the River Severn, and the cultural responses the river has elicited through history.

Tom Brothwell
Tom Brothwell

People's History

Image of Bristol City's Ashton Gate ground during a match against Manchester United (credit: Bristol City)

The last time England’s men played football at Ashton Gate – a mere 110 years ago

In 1913, 8,000 fans came to Bedminster to watch the England men’s team play Wales, where foul weather had turned the pitch into a quagmire.

David Hewitt
David Hewitt

People's History

Spend a penny: A potted history of Bristol’s public toilets before they were closed to save cash

Need a wee? Good luck with that if you’re out and about, as Bristol has only a fraction of the public toilets it once had. Eugene Byrne, trying to hold it in until he gets home, looks at the history of Bristol’s public loos.

Eugene Byrne
Eugene Byrne

People's History

A history of Bristol’s healthcare for the working classes

It's a myth that there was little or no access to free medical care before the establishment of the NHS in 1948 – but progress was slow, unequal and sometimes grisly.

Eugene Byrne
Eugene Byrne
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