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?

Council still hounding people with bailiffs after ‘ethical’ approach promise

Under surveillance: how a man was recalled to prison after visiting a Bristol anarchist social centre

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.

A graphic of two NHS staff underneath a whistle.

Investigations

Whistleblowers reveal institutional racism at local NHS trust

Future of Cities

Cities of the future must prioritise the health of people and the planet

Rising demand and falling donations causing shortages at Bristol food banks

The cost of living crisis means more people need food banks – but fewer are donating. The Cable spoke to organisations across the city trying to help the growing number of households who can't afford to eat.

Julz Davis: checking in on Martin Luther King’s dream

Campaigner Julz Davis speaks to the Cable about his Race for Power project to improve racial equity in Bristol, the UK's seventh most unequal city.

Cooking up a storm: The project tackling Bristol’s rising food poverty

The Mazi Project provides pre-portioned meal kits to marginalised young people to address food poverty in the city.

October’s energy price cap rise fuels concern and community action

The Don't Pay energy bill payment strike was called off this week, but the repercussions of the energy crisis will still be stark for many over the coming winter.

Bridging cultural divides in a global city, one meal at a time

In a city which speaks 91 languages, this week saw the launch of a cook book that shares recipes, stories and memories from Bristol's many different communities.

Watch: The filmmakers behind ‘Rooted in Bristol’ discuss land, race and inequality

The new documentary, which premiered at Afrika Eye Film Festival, profiles Bristol’s Black and Afro-Caribbean food growers who discuss the importance of equitable access to land.