Nailsea & District Local History Society
Members Newsletter

Published by the Society for its members

email: <editor@ndlhs.org.uk>

By the time you read this Newsletter, we hope to have operational a sound amplification system for use at our monthly meetings. Over the months we have looked at a number offered by various manufacturers, and recently located a system which has a lapel microphone and is both light to transport and comes at a very competitive price.

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Newer members of the Society may be interested in obtaining backnumbers of our Journal at a very attractive price. Peter Wright has put together the following packages:-

5 sets Nos. 1-37 at £20-00 per set 3 sets Nos. 1-32 at £15-00 per set

Many back numbers are available individually at 50p a copy if you need to complete your collection. Please telephone Peter on +REDACTED+ with your requirements.

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As you probably know, I shall be standing down as Chairman at the AGM next October. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past twelve years or so, and thank you for your support. I intend to continue my involvement with the industrial history of Nailsea; with the Nailsea Historic Monuments Trust and the Avon Industrial Buildings Trust; with slide talks to other organisations; and of course, with the Committee in whatever way I can.

Last year the Society started downsizing on its activities, concentrating on a core programme of monthly talks and visits, running down involvement in family history and research - both of which were time consuming - and taking the pressure off the need to publish “x” number of books each year.

However we do need to identify my successor, either male or female. By removing those industrial history activities that I personally have taken on, and which are unrelated to the office of chairperson, we are left with few responsibilities and the post is not therefore onerous. The main task will be to chair Committee Meetings which are held every two months. Whether the next Chair will choose to introduce and thank speakers, or delegate this to others, is for him or her to decide.

If you feel moved to carry forward the work of the Society and to build upon its sound organisation and finances, please let me know so that we can discuss the role further.

Trevor Bowen +REDACTED+

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Formed a year ago to campaign for the preservation and public display of our local scheduled monuments, the Trust is shortly to receive recognition by the Charity Commission. It has some 80 members but needs more to demonstrate to the Heritage Lottery Fund that there is considerable local support to justify a significant grant for Middle Engine Pit. If you are not already a member, please consider joining now. Subscription is a nominal £1-00 per annum, and you will receive the latest Newsletter giving an update on our scheduled sites. Please contact Trevor Bowen on +REDACTED+ for an Application Form.

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The Team was formed in September 2004 to record important elements of the present and historic environment of Nailsea and Area by means of a multi-interest survey. This would include stone walls, hedges, significant trees, industrial and archaeological remains, and the built environment prior to 1939.

The impetus to form NEAT came from a Local History Forum at Charterhouse on the Mendips. Vince Russett, North Somerset Council Archaeologist, challenged the Nailsea representatives to emulate three similar teams covering Bleadon, Charterhouse, Lympsham, Uphill, Yatton and Congresbury.

This challenge was taken up by Cllr Phil Barclay who quickly gathered together a small but enthusiastic group who immediately set to work under the initial quidance of Vince. Although some members have specific interests and expertise, they all work very much as a team, meeting fortnightly for field work and monthly to review and plan the Survey. Eight areas of Nailsea have to date been covered using large scale maps and standard forms on which each stone wall, hedge, tree or house is recorded and allocated a number.

Currently the Team is surveying Whelpes Place on the Nailsea / Wraxall border, the site of a medieval village. Hopefully, with the permission of English Heritage, a Geophysical survey will then be undertaken with equipment loaned by the Council for British Archaeology.

If you are interested in assisting NEAT with its work, please contact Cllr Phil Barclay on +REDACTED+

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