Dave Cheesley

Illustrated with over 200 archive pictures, this collection evocatively captures the histories of Netham, Crews Hole, St George and Speedwell in east Bristol. Snapshots of everyday life, from weddings, charabanc outings, pubs, shops and schools combine with vistas of the industries upon which these communities relied, particularly the collieries and chemical works whose chimneys towered over this area of the city. This fascinating volume shows the great changes which have taken place in commerce, heavy industry, transport and residential areas.

In this intriguing selection of archive images the areas of St George, Redfield and Whitehall have been evocatively recreated using over 200 photographs, postcards and engravings which illustrate the diverse history of this east Bristol district. From the time of the Norman Conquest this area has seen great social and architectural development. The Forest of Kingswood provided a rich ground for hunting which in turn gave way to farming and mining; an activity that was to significantly shape the area during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The workhouses, municipal buildings and shops are placed alongside images of Sunday school parades and Methodist chapels to create a wonderful representation of community life of the past. St George, Redfield and Whitehall draws on the collections of many private individuals who have traced the development of this vibrant area of Bristol over the years. It is a valuable pictorial history for those who live in the area now and for those who want to revisit these communities as they used to be.

A history of Bristol transport