The Changing Face of Bristol & its People
Two photographs depicting the same view, one taken a period of time after the other, give us an instantaneous impression of ' then ' and 'now '. Some comparisons show old views that are instantly recognisable, where the natural passage of time and technology has made only slight changes. Other views illustrate major change and it can be difficult to comprehend that an area has altered so much. Unless you have lived through a change and can remember what was there before, there is often no reason to question what building was replaced or how the area functioned in the past.
BRISTOL THEN & NOW - KING STREET - 1890 - 2004
Bristol’s King Street is situated just off the wonderfully restored Queen Square and is the haunt of theatre and jazz lovers alike. Its experienced mixed fortunes since the 'Then' picture was taken in 1890, but at least you’re in no danger of being knocked down by a car, or even a horse and cart, as you take in the ambiance and wonder at the ancient buildings these days.
The streets been pedestrianised at the harbour-side end and the rest made one way. King Street has always been known as the “tourists street' because it’s so packed with historic interest — from the 1664 timbered Llandoger Trow public house (on the right of the picture but unfortunately out of sight) at the far end to the Old Library at the other. The street is a fine 17th century example of town planning. As you can imagine in those days most of Bristol’s streets were narrow with over-hanging eaves almost touching one another, but the wise city fathers decided to plan this street as a wide road leading down to the busy Welsh Back waterfront.
On the immediate left we can see the ancient gabled buildings that make up Samuel Barrett’s marine stores and the Theatre Tavern. Both, sadly, were demolished in 1903. Cheek by jowl with them is the small covered frontage leading into the historic 1766 Theatre Royal, the oldest surviving playhouse in the country, before William Halfpenny’s grand 1743 Coopers Hall next door was incorporated into it in 1970.
Further down the street and abutting the Hall can be seen the quaintly gabled St. Nicholas almshouses of 1652. Alas being blitzed in the last war they now present only a facade to the street. The buildings were restored in 1961 but no longer house the poor and needy. Further back in the distance is the Old Duke pub. then named the Old Duke Hotel, now a music venue through and through and a Mecca for jazz lovers of all ages.
On the right hand side of King Street, but out of site of the camera, is a wide variety of buildings, including many Victorian warehouses and pubs, such as the Coopers Arms and the Royal Naval Volunteer. In the 1940s and 50s, these warehouses were occupied by a variety of trades from shipping agents to electrical wire manufacturers.
I must mention No 22, which was the home of Rigby and Evens, wine and spirit shippers. It was their sign that apparently gave Paul McCartney the inspiration for his song Eleanor Rigby, while he was waiting for actress Jane Asher, his then girlfriend, to come out of the Old Vic. For the present generation, of course, King Street has become synonymous with eating. drinking and generally having a good time.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - HOTWELL ROAD - 1938 - 2001
THEN - Looking towards the Mardyke public-house - One feels intensely that Bristol is a seaport when you walk along this road - With fine views of the Floating Harbour and until 1964 a railway line ran alongside as far as the goods sheds at Canons Marsh - It was once a long humble road full of shipping wharves.
NOW - No longer quite so humble parts of the Hotwell Road have been cleared and new apartments are being built - With its waterfront aspect and spectacular views across to the SS Great Britain is now a highly desirable place to live.
JUNCTION OF PERRY ROAD AND COLSTON STREET - 1914 - 2001
THEN - Looking down Perry Road towards the junctions with St Michael's Hill and Colston Street - The little box jutting out from the wall is a tramway signal box at these junctions the tramlines crossed and it was important to give priority to the tram travelling uphill and the man would operate the signals accordingly.
NOW - Traffic lights now control the traffic but little else has changed at this junction.
BRISTOL THEN & NOW - HOTWELLS - JULY 1904 - JULY 2004
This section of Hotwell Road, from the Mardyke to its junction with Jacob's Well Road, has recently been dubbed Bristol's Golden Mile. The Reason? The stylish dockside apartments and penthouses, Capricorn Quay, Leading Edge and Capital Edge, which have gone up there in the last four years or so and which command high prices to go with their stunning views up and down the old floating docks. or historic harbour as it's known these days.
The older picture,taken one hundred years ago shows,on the right,HMS Daedalus,the naval training ship moored at the Mardyke which preceded the well-known HMS Flying Fox. Daedalus, an old sailing ship,was built at Sharpness in 1826 and broken up in 1911. The Mardyke waterfront is now the home of Shoots floating restaurant.
On the left of the older picture is the old industrial school which took in disadvantaged boys and girls and taught them a trade. It was lost during the war-time Blitz and, after lying derelict for more than a generation, the site has now been re-developed as quality apartments.
Spot the tram going down to the Hotwells terminus and the row of shops nearby with their blinds, now converted to private homes and just a few of the survivors along this stretch of what was,throughout the 1920s and 1930s, a close knit,thriving community.
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