Nailsea & District Local History Society
Members Newsletter

Published by the Society for its members

email: <editor@ndlhs.org.uk>

Members who were not at the recent Annual General Meeting will be delighted to learn that our new Chairman is Tony Targett. To most he will always be known as “the TV weather man”, but since retirement his friends know him better for his passion for distance running and involvement in the local community. As a keen member of NEAT [Nailsea Environment & Archaeological Team] he has become practiced in the art of dry stone walling and hopes to promote this traditional skill within the town. I am sure you will give him a warm welcome. Incidentally, Tony is only the fourth chairman since the formation of the Society in 1975, following on from Judith Codrington [nee Atkinson], Margaret Thomas and myself.

Congratulations and “Best Wishes” Tony.

Also appointed at the AGM were Margaret Bowen as Secretary and Chris Espley as Hon. Auditor.

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About 15 years ago I suggested that the Society should produce a journal. The Committee agreed, told me to get on with it and established a sub-committee to ensure I did not run amok! I assume that the work I produced was satisfactory, as to the best of my knowledge that sub-committee has never met.

The name “Pennant” was adapted following the use of “Nailsea Pennant” for some of our earlier publications, prior to incorporating “& District” in the society's name. Issued at various frequencies [4, 3 and currently 2 time a year], this Newsletter comes with Pennant Number 40. I have attempted to ensure that each edition has been a small or sometimes large improvement on the one that preceded it. I know that there have been a couple of editions where this has not been true, but nevertheless I feel a certain sense of achievement.

We are delighted when at the October AGM two members volunteered to handle sales of our publications. One will service our monthly meetings, the other the shops and general public. A warm welcome to Mrs Shirley McKiernan and Mrs Terry Wood.

It cold be that occasionally members may be required to order books in advance so that the initial order can be placed with confidence, covering both reservations and sufficient stock to supply the shops.

Relying on this initial order would mean that the build up of unsold copies is dramatically reduced. We have already tried this with a few recent titles and with great success. Sometimes a further short print run has been found necessary, but “print to order” is never an option, it must be noted.

A further book detailing burials at St Andrews Church, Backwell, [1924 and 1943 churchyard extensions] is now available. Look on the Society website www.ndlhs.org.uk to read or download unpublished manuscripts and out of print publications.

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Mike Phillis, assisted by Neil Andrews, is currently looking at our programme for 2008. Over the years we have attempted, and I believe have succeeded most of the time, in providing a balanced programme related to local history – whether it be as far afield as Bristol, Bath or parts of Somerset, or of general interest on subjects that apply to most towns and villages, eg. street furniture, inn signs, sundials, landscape archeology, etc. The latter, although not specifically relating to Nailsea and area, and therefore not strictly “local” history, encourage us to keep our eyes open as we travel around the country. There is a balance to be kept between talks on Nailsea [which newcomers to the Society may not have heard, but with which others are all too familiar] and those of a more universal interest to local historians.

If you have suggestions for specific topics or can identify any recommended speakers, please speak to either Mike or Neil; also ideas for an evening visit. Maybe you yourself are able to offer a talk, either for a full evening or for part of an occasional “members evening”.

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No real progress has been made with either the Glassworks or Middle Engine Pit.

As the glassworks site is scheduled, English Heritage will not permit and substantial building which might damage the underlying archeology. Since all the costed options for developing or landscaping the site involve considerable investment, and the financial return has been shown to be marginal, there is not likely to be any quick fix to the problem. It is understood that North Somerset will shortly erect information boards about the history of the site.

At Middle Engine Pit owned by North Somerset Council, the Avon Industrial Buildings Trust is still waiting after more than two years for a Management Agreement with NSC to formulate and submit a £250K bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Meanwhile, the Nailsea Historic Monuments Trust which has set up to take over the daily maintenance and running of the site after completion of the work, has received recognition from the Charities Commission.

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The current Newsletter of Avon Local History & Archeology [the Association to which the Society is affiliated] has a complimentary review of our May edition and concludes with the words “Other societies, please copy”. Congratulations, Peter and well done!

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In September we received an email via the Society's website saying that the sender had a watercolour of “Nailsea Courthouse 1833” [sic] followed by the initials “T or JER”. Would the Society like to buy it? He had bought it several years ago at an auction in Andover and had intended to frame it but had not done so.

Although rather expensive, the Committee decided to proceed with the transaction and to research the painter before deciding what to do with it. Our intention is that it should remain in the area unless research indicates a values far in excess of the purchase price. We shall be depositing copies of the water colour in the Bristol and Somerset Record Offices and will consult Bristol Museum in due course.

Meanwhile, to provide funds to offset the purchase and research of the watercolor, the Society has produced Christmas cards for sale in A5 and A6 format.

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