Congresbury History Group

Congresbury History Group was formed in September 1982 to increase and stimulate interest in local history, and to encourage the conservation of documents and artefacts of local historical interest. Anyone who shares these interests and supports these aims is welcome to join us .

We hold monthly meetings in Congresbury from September to April, and guided outdoor walks and expeditions from May to July. The illustrated talks at our meetings range over a wide variety of subjects of local, or more general, historical interest.

Congresbury is the reputed burial-place of St Congar, and we celebrate St Congar’s Day, 27 November, with a St Congar’s Dinner.

We have published many illustrated books on Congresbury: about its trades, its pubs, its railway, its floods, its wartime experience, etc, etc, although they are so popular that not many copies are left in stock.

At the 2005 Village Fete we launched our latest book, Stand & Deliver, The History of Congresbury Crime. from 1242 to date. A4 fully illustrated, 50 pages, £3, obtainable from Day Lewis, the pharmacy, and from Mendip Art, both in Broad Street, Congresbury. Or it can be ordered by post from Mike Bedingfield, The Barn, Silver Street, Congresbury BS49 5EY for £3.70 including p&p. (Cheques payable to Congresbury History Group please. 

Still available also are:

Arthur’s Village (122 pages  £5)

Guided Walk Round Historic Congresbury (free leaflet)

Congresbury as ‘twas (44 pages  £3)

The Refectory, Congresbury (12 pages 60p) (published for The Friends of St Andrews Church)

Stand & Deliver
A History of Congresbury Crime (44 pages £3)

Congresbury Memories, by Ivor Standen
(48 pages, well illustrated, £4)

We have a growing collection of documents, photographs, and artefacts about Congresbury, and a number of films, now on video, of Congresbury in recent decades, taken by the late Ray Attwell. Our occasional film shows are very popular. 

Have you got any old photographs of Congresbury that might be suitable for one of our books? We should be grateful to borrow and copy them, whether  for a book, an exhibition, or our archives. We welcome the loan, or gift, of any photos of Congresbury at any time.

Please phone the Vice-Chairman, Gill Bedingfield (see below).


Anyone with an enquiry about Congresbury history may email us care of

rogerhards@parkhyde.go-plus.net

or

chriscongar@hotmail.com

but we don’t know everything! and we can’t guarantee to be able to help. The Group is run by unpaid volunteers, all busy people, and if much local research is necessary to provide an answer, or any expense likely to be involved, we must ask for an agreed advance payment to the Group please. Note also that we are a local history group, not a family history group, and family research is outside our scope.

Watch this space for our programmes; here is the current one:


Summer Walks Programme 2008

Members free. £1 per event for non-members.


Wednesday 14 May

A walk round Bedminster with Anton Bantock

meet 6.30pm at Congresbury Cross

or 7pm outside London Inn, at junction of West St & East St, Bedminster.


Wednesday 18 June

A visit to Arnos Vale

meet 5.45pm at the Congresbury Cross (to leave at 5.50)

or promptly at 6.30 at Arnos Vale main gate£3 per head. The full heritage tour lasts for about 2 hours.

 

Some paths have uphill sections & can be muddy depending upon the weather (even in June!).

There is no protection from the weather during the tour - wear outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather on the day including sensible footwear.

There are no public toilets in the Cemetery (there will be when the restoration programme is complete!). The nearest toilets are in the Bocabar bar/cafe which is about 100yds along the Bath Road (towards Bristol) on the opposite side of the road from the cemetery gates.... a good place to go for refreshment perhaps after the tour at about 9.30?

The restoration programme is due to be in full swing by June 2008 - this will mean that parking within the cemetery may be significantly restricted.

It is necessary to lock the cemetery gates during the evening tour - unannounced late arrivals will not be able to get in!


 

Wednesday 16 July

Taylor’s Wood with Chris Richard

meet 6.45pm at the Cross or 7pm at the Congresbury end of Wrington Road (where it meets the A370)

Taylors Wood is full of surprises, from Roman remains, to floral delights.

Involves a climb up one hill. Stout footwear recommended.
Everyone welcome

 


 

 

Everyone welcome

  Membership £6 a year beginning September,
or £1 per meeting.

So that we can send as many programmes as possible by email in future
please send your email address to rogerhards@parkhyde.go-plus.net

Congresbury History Group

Chairman: Chris Short (01934) 833764
Vice-Chairman: Gill Bedingfield (01934) 876009
Secretaries: Anne Dimmock (01934) 838891
Ann Gunner (01934) 852701
Treasurer: Roger Hards (01934) 834780
Publications: Mike Bedingfield (01934) 876009