"Three civil defence exercises covering Bristol – in 1939, the 1950s and 1960s – not only have an eerie fascination for their word-pictures of a city plunged into imaginary wars; the written scenarios also throw light on what concerned the scenario writers. As the likely damage in war became more than the authorities could handle, so the planners’ responses took a sinisterly authoritarian turn"
Tag: Plymouth
The Shipwrecked West Indians in Stapleton Prison, Bristol (1796-1798)
Penny follows the story of the captives of the Revolutionary War, and the course of events which led to their housing in Stapleton Prison, Bristol.
Picture in Focus – ‘A member of the Pole family at her desk’.
'The picture shows a plainly dressed young woman studiously writing at her desk surrounded by books. She is probably either Eliza or Rachel Pole, one of the daughters of Dr. Thomas Pole a Quaker minister and reformer who pioneered reforms in adult education in Britain'. Dresser interprets the source, as well as bringing light to new information regrading the picture, which is important seeing as the artist is unknown.
Extract from the Diary of Sarah Champion Fox / Introduction to the Diary of Sarah Champion Fox
This is an extract from the diaries of Bristol Quaker Sarah Champion Fox published by the Bristol Record Society edited by Madge Dresser. Dresser provides an analysis of the extract. It provides context from the life Sarah Champion Fox, and discusses her role in the history of women. In addition, she also gives an insight into the mindset of Bristol's female icons, placing her in an important period of the city's history.