Blog

Trade It?

By Randell Brantley

Trade It?

Show Of Strength Theatre Company's next production, TRADE IT? takes place outdoors in Bristol from 24 June - 6 July 2008. A guided walk around lost areas of the city centre, with short performances along the way from writers including Catherine Johnson (MAMMA MIA), Sandi Toksvig and Mustapha Matura.

Not A Penny Off The Pay, Not A Second On The Day

By Randell Brantley

Not A Penny Off The Pay, Not A Second On The Day

This is a 'celebration of the working classes, featuring a truly international line up of acclaimed urban artists.' Created by the same people behind 12 Days of Xmas this event is not only happening during the same week as BRHG's Down With The Fences but it is just around the corner as well. To see the full lineup of artists visit their website - Opening night - Thursday 1st May 7pm-10pm Then open everyday 12pm-7pm (closed on Tue 6th) The Old Motorcycle Workshop 15-19 Stokes Croft (opposite […]

Down With The Fences! The Struggle For The Golbal Commons

By Randell Brantley

Down With The Fences! The Struggle For The Golbal Commons

Ten days dedicated to places, spaces and environments that are owned by no one but are shared by all. As the world faces a wave of new enclosures, we examine the history of the commons, their enclosure and the resistance to private ownership, then and now. Speakers Include: Peter Linebaugh, George Caffentzis, Massimo De Angiles, Steve Poole and David Goldblatt. Click here to see the full programme of events.

Abolition Ale

By Randell Brantley

Abolition Ale

To celebrate the Seven Stars' connections with Thomas Clarkson they have started selling Sharp's Abolition Ale. So why not drop in and try a pint? Bristol Radical History Group are helping to raise money for a new cast aluminum plaque for the front of The seven Stars. The pub has a unique place in world history because it was there that Clarkson began his research that would eventually lead to the abolition of the British slave trade, and late slavery itself. Look out for plaque fundraisers at […]

Stop the Gentrification of Central Bristol

By Randell Brantley

Stop the Gentrification of Central Bristol

Saturday 12th April: Protest Against Gentrification of Central Bristol 11.00am Albany Green, St. Pauls and 2.00pm Broadmead (Centre) Bristol is undergoing massive attacks on our free spaces and culture by property developers and their friends in the City Council. Across the city green spaces, pubs, clubs and amenities are being closed and sold off with little consultation with the communities affected. So if you oppose the... * Threat of closure of the clubs and pubs on Stokes Croft (Clockwork, […]

The history of Central France ~ making a start

By Randell Brantley

The history of Central France ~ making a start

Hi all So I left Bristol a few weeks ago to start a new life in France. I'm currently staying with friends who live in a large farmhouse close to the beautiful village of Montrésor, near the market town of Loches in Central France. Eventually I, and my partner, Sandra, will be buying a property in the department (37) - hopefully it will have enough land on which visitors will be able to camp when visiting ~ ideally we want to set up a few yurts and hold a number of small annual events. These […]

Stokes Croft Gentrification Alert!

By Randell Brantley

Stokes Croft Gentrification Alert!

Save Stokes Croft The clubs, pubs, cafés, squatted centres and artists’ studios of Stokes Croft have been the core of Bristol’s underground music and art scene for decades. This is the area that brought us Banksy, Roni Size, The Wild Bunch, Massive Attack, the famous Bristol club, free party and punk scene and all the other things that have made Bristol an exciting place to live since the 1960s. Now all this is under threat as Bristol City Council and property developers such as ‘Urban Creation’ […]

The Wicker Pirate

By Randell Brantley

The Wicker Pirate

To publicize the 125th anniversary of the publication of Treasure Island the Long John Silver Trust have commissioned a wicker statue of Long John. This statue had its unveiling at Waterstones book shop in Bristol’s Galleries on Thursday 6th March (which happened to be World Book Day). The sculpture, by Stephen Froom of Wicked Willow, was unveiled by the Mayor of Bristol, some Waterstones’ pirates, Dumpling The Parrot (from JungleTalk) and yours truly. Helping us were pupils from Hanah More […]

Greetings from across the Atlantic

By Randell Brantley

Greetings from across the Atlantic

Dear Bristol Friends, The evening that I shared a platform with Richard Hart and spoke at one of your meetings last year was a high point of several weeks I spent in Britain. To see so many people interested in--and knowledgeable about--radical history was a thrill. I know of no equivalent to the BRHG in any city in the United States--not even in San Francisco, where I live, which has long had the reputation of being one of the strongest labor union towns in the country. Good luck in your many […]

Welcome To The Bristol Radical History Blog

By Randell Brantley

Welcome To The Bristol Radical History Blog

This is the BRHG blog. A number of people who have been involved with our events have been asked to contribute to our blog. Hopefully this will build into an interesting collection of articles, musings and rants about history and current affairs.

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