Not A BRHG Event
Stephen Hunt of Bristol Radical History Group will be speaking at the Clevedon Literary Festival. From the website: Stephen Hunt, author of Angela Carter’s Provincial Bohemia, will explore how Carter’s experiences during the 1960s strongly influenced her development as a writer and will discuss how in recent years we have begun to memorialise her residence in the area. Steve is a member of Bristol Radical History Group and has written several highly acclaimed pamphlets on Bristol artistic […]
Not A BRHG Event
Books and more! The Bristol Radical History Group book stall is again pleased to be at the latest Bristol Radical Bookfair, this Saturday 13th May, from 11am to 3.30pm. This is the latest in a series of local Radical Bookfairs co-ordinated by Active Distribution, and hosted by the Exchange Bristol, at 72-73 Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0EJ. Full details are on the headfirst bristol listings, and on the Active FB event, which promises... You'll find new and second hand titles, kids books, novels, […]
Charles Fletcher: Gypsy, Orphan, Forest of Dean Miner and Socialist
In this article, the short life of Charles Fletcher is used as a lens to explore aspects of the labour movement in Chepstow and the Forest of Dean in the early twentieth century. It starts with Fletcher’s experiences as an orphan in Bristol and ends with his early death following his role as a witness in one of the most sensational murder trials of the 1920s.
History is important, people are important and individuals are important. When people pass, we have moments of instant memorialisation, the obituaries are written, and then often we forget, or the memory of that person passes into the background as the noise and bustle of life continues. We can forget the impact, the power, the energy and the force that people can wield with their creative endeavours. Mark Stewart is someone we must never forget, but also one whose impact and legacy are all […]
Slavery Wealth and the Beginnings of Bristol’s Diocesan Board of Education
Following the money generated from slavery, transferred and transmuted into UK spending, is usually difficult. Yet sometimes unmistakable glimpses appear. When they do, where the money goes can sometimes be surprising. Almost 80 years ago, Eric Williams’s claim that wealth from slavery helped fund Britain’s industrial revolution was considered controversial. Today it is widely accepted, and now the debate is more about estimating how significant was the extent. Slavery wealth is also known to […]
From local councillor to welfare benefits adviser, radio presenter and campaigner for the rights of older people, Judith is a dynamo who doesn’t stop, despite being in her eighties. Judith was interviewed by Trish Mensah for the Activist Memories series, supported by Bristol Older People’s Forum. The Activist Memories series captures, through oral history interviews, the life experience of those who have fought for a better world.
The exhibition provides examples of the activism of Bristol Anti-Apartheid Movement (BAAM) in its campaign to raise awareness of the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa. Formed in 1964, BAAM was one of the largest local groups affiliated to the national Anti-Apartheid Movement. Material donated to the Bristol Archives and photographs from the Bristol Post Archive show the diverse range of activities over the group's 30 year history - pickets, boycotts, meetings, fundraising events such as […]
This panel considers the work of contemporary artists who have had an influence and impact on Bristol but sought little exposure for themselves. Two artists who have recently passed away, Steve Philbey and Tony Forbes, certainly fit the bill, as do the activities of the Bristol Refugee Artists Collective. Steve Philbey (1943 - 2022) was a painter, muralist, graphic artist, photographer and founder/chronicler of The Saint-Just Mob. And also variously a factory worker, Father Christmas, painter […]
The Saint-Just Mob have been active subvertisers in Bristol since 2001 intervening on billboards, hoardings and statues using pasted words on lining paper. Part of the battle to free our Commons. Over that time around 10 comrades have contributed hands, ideas and ladders and acted as look-outs. Named after Antoine Saint-Just, co-drafter of the Franch Revolutionary Constitution of 1793 that included the abolition of slavery. The title is useful inasmuch that mention of Saint-Just riles anarchists […]
Reel Lives (6 x 25 mins) is a six part series that tells the social history of the 1930s to the 1960s of Bristol and Somerset through home movies and the stories of ordinary people. It was produced by David Parker of Available Light for HTV Bristol. A must for all Bristolians.
