Nailsea & District Local History Society
Members Newsletter

Published by the Society for its members

email: <editor@ndlhs.org.uk>

Maybe you collected Pennant 46 at our November meeting and are even now reading this Newsletter in the 150 seater Lecture Theatre with its banked seating, one of three in the new Nailsea School. Perhaps you have wandered along the corridors and looked in the glass-fronted classrooms [of which there are 65] or the similarly clad staff bases with all-round observation. Maybe you have used one of the unisex individual toilet cubicles or chanced upon the Juice Bar or Media Café. There are six colour coded learning zones, three dining zones, 150 staff, 1530 students and 2641 chairs!

Our thanks go to our Programme Secretary, Mike Phillis, for neg-otiating the use of Nailsea School facilities and dealing with the short term problems of car parking and directional signage; also the technicalities of using the PowerPoint Projection system. Thanks are due also to Mr. David New, Headteacher, and his staff for making us welcome and acquainting us with the school facilities. The Committee hopes that you will agree that the tiered seating and modern comfortable surroundings, and indeed the quality of our guest speakers, well justifies the small increase in the subscriptons for 2010 [the first for twelve years!]

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Our latest publication will soon be available and should be a good seller in the High Street Bookshop and at the Nailsea Street Fair in December. It is an edited compilation of two books written by Jack Hart, one time Licensee of the Queen’s Head, and published by the Society in 1977 and 1981 but without photographs. In this new book, which is copiously illustrated with photographs from the Society archive, Jack recalls work and leisure in Nailsea between 1900 and the start of World War 2.

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Did you know that an archivist comes to Nailsea bi-monthly to give advice, and to bring up parish registers and other documents from the Somerset Record Office? The next visit is on Thursday November 19th at Nailsea Library, 11am-1pm and 2-3.30pm. To request specific documents contact the Archivist on 01823 278805 or, alternatively, email: archives@somerset.gov.uk Further dates can be obtained from the Library. On her latest visit, the Archivist brought up a recently discovered Wages Book of the Nailsea Glassworks, dated 1849 and measuring 10” x 14”. “Bottle House Wages Book” reference 00/WSM57.

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Remarkably the day chosen for the annual visit of the N&DLHS was a rarity in 2009 as it was a true summer day with sunshine from the start. By the time the group from Backwell arrived at the meeting point in Nailsea most of our party were already on station awaiting the coach, all seemingly in a buzzy mood. Shortly twenty of us boarded the coach driven by Simon, our route taking us up the M5, along the M4 and up the A34 from the Newbury junction. It was a beautiful morning and for a number of us, who normally would be driving, it proved to be a good opportunity to take in the views, particularly from the elevated position in the coach.

After a short stop at Chievely we were soon passing through Hensington Gate, the main access avenue to the Palace and on reaching Flagstaff, the first building, tickets and the welcome guide and plan were issued. We dispersed to follow our individual points of interest, but many of the group headed straight through the Orangery courtyard. They then passed through the very impressive clock tower gate to the main concourse of the Palace to witness the awesome sight of the front elevation of this 300 year old masterpiece of English Baroque architecture. We were lucky that there were few other visitors in the area at that time so we had a clear view and a chance to absorb uninterrupted the detail of this wonderful World Heritage Site. From there we walked up to the main access steps through the front door for the start of the internal guided tour.

The formal tour lasted about 35 minutes and gave a great insight into the building, the occupiers, the furnishings and collections housed in the Palace. Betty Brooks described the Palace as being “magnificent architecture at its very best” and Mike Lord recounted “it is a Stately home par excellence - many stunning features.” Norma Knight was really taken by the State Rooms describing them as “in-credibly grand and imposing with superb craftsmanship, almost over-whelming and certainly achieving official recognition of the ability of the hero John Churchill.” The 24 carat gold décor impressed Shirley McKiernan, and Penny Raynor with the pleated and rucked drapes and curtains in the Long Library.

It was not only the actual Palace fabric which caused emotional reaction. Norma was touched by “the hastily scribbled note that John Churchill wrote to his wife asking her to relay the news of his victory to the Queen.”

Of course, given the Churchill connection and the ability to actually be in Sir Winston’s 1874 birth room, the Churchill Exhibition added another dimension. For Betty, the tour “brought back memories of W.C. at his very bull dog best” She was reminded of war time bombing in Bristol and of sleeping in the cupboard under the stairs.

Within the Palace “The Untold Story” by Grace Ridley’s ghost, a lady’s maid, leading you through the history of the Palace by means of animated figures and talking portraits, brought to life much of the daily routine and introduced a few of the characters of the house much to the amusement of Shirley. Outside, the Palace is surrounded by 2000 acres of “Capability” Brown landscaped parkland, lakes, fountains and formal gardens. There were so many beautiful walks, gardens and vistas that Mike Lord thought “that this must be one of the finest by Brown.” I certainly agree. The glorious parkland takes some beating though my favourite is the Water Terrace. Here you can sit, particularly if the sky is blue overhead and simply take in the sheer beauty of the layout, the silence and calmness only challenged by the falling water of the fountains.

For lunch, some of us took a picnic and easily found suitable spots around the grounds for either shade or sunshine and some took advantage of the on-site catering facilities.

One day is not enough to see everything at Blenheim. This was my second visit so this time we caught the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens. Here there is the Butterfly House, the Lavender Garden, the Marlborough Maze and the fascinating Blenheim Bygones Exhibition, a true Aladdin’s cave for the country historian.

The group reassembled late afternoon and the unanimous verdict was that Blenheim had lived up to expectations and more, and was certainly “a cut above the rest in all respects”. Following a suggestion from one of our group we made our way in the coach over to the village of Bladon to find the Churchill grave. This was not an easy task, particularly with a coach to park as well, but for the members of N&DLHS there is no room for defeat. The Church and the access footpath were eventually spotted and having found a spot for the coach, all of us, including Simon the driver, set off. The Churchill graves are easily found next to the Church.

From comments made on the journey home, the day had been most enjoyed by all and the only question was why had we not visited this gem before now?

Question to all members:
Where would you like to visit in 2010? Please forward ideas to Mike Phillis.

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Friday evening, 4th December. Look out for and please support the Society bookstall which should be outside Boots Chemists - our full range of in-print publications, DVDs and videos on sale. We shall be touting for new members now that we have a 150 seat venue [there is a 300 seat Lecture Theatre available if we are too successful!]

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A new Nailsea website is up and running. Type in “Nailsea People” and view pictures that have been uploaded, debate local issues, write up a story, see events coming up, link into other local websites, etc. This is a site for you to use. At the time of writing [mid October] one issue is the Town Council debate on a new logo. What best represents Nailsea? Why not join in the discussion?

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