Historical Society

Olveston Parish Historical Society

 

LATEST NEWS

  • Why was Bristol the second most important port in the country in the 15th century? Come along on Wed 1 February 2012 and find out in a talk by Tim Bowly. More details of the talk below.
  • You can find our entire 2011-12 Programme below.  There are many interesting talks lined up, at astonishingly good value!

 

The Society 

The society was formed in 1966 to "promote interest in the history of Olveston and the surrounding areas and to collect and preserve documentary and photographic records". The Society meets at the Methodist Hall on the first Wednesday of each month from October to April with guest speakers on topics as diverse as The Severn Channel during the Ice Age and Concorde. In the summer months we usually have two or three field trips, often following up talks given during the previous winter. Visitors are always welcomed and, more often than not, recruited.

You can use the menu buttons on the left hand side (under Historical Society) to find out more about:

  • the history and historic buildings of Olveston Parish
  • the Society's publications
  • and various local historical organisations.

This photo shows some OPHS members taking part in a historical walk around Aust, guided by Society Archivist, Eric Garrett.

OPHS trip to Aust 

Contact details for Olveston Parish Historical Society

  • Chairman of Society, principal contact and holder of the society's publications:  Les Harper  01454 612304
  • Society Archivist:  Eric Garrett  01454 613019
  • Programme Secretaries:  Jenny & Richard Newley  01454 202011 
  • Membership Secretary & Treasurer: Anne Young  01454 412528  

 

OLVESTON PARISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMME: Oct 2011 - April 2012

 

Wed. 5 Oct 2011

The Society's AGM, followed by the showing of a DVD of local interest.

Wed. 2 Nov. 2011

Eric Garrett has been researching the history of "Schooling in Olveston Parish, 1836-1968". He’ll be talking about his findings and launching his new book on the subject. You won’t want to miss it! Read more about this meeting here.  [Note: For this special event, the meeting will be held in The Wyke Hall at Olveston School and there will be FREE entry for all.]

Wed. 7 Dec. 2011

Dr. Francis Burroughes, of Bristol Blue Glass SW, is a glass historian who can tell us about the Phoenicians, the Egyptians and the Romans. "Glass-making and Bristol’s Place in its History" will highlight glass-making nearer home too. We hope to see samples from his own collection.

Wed. 4 Jan. 2012

Tony Cherry’s illustrated talk will be on "The Thornbury Union Workhouse, 1836-1871". Until the 1830s, Olveston Parish looked after its own poor but, following the New Poor Law of 1834, parishes had to unite in Unions with a central workhouse. Olveston was one of 21 parishes in Thornbury Union. Tony has been researching the history of the Thornbury Workhouse for a new book and has some hair-raising tales to tell.

Wed. 1 Feb. 2012

"Bristol Ships and Shipping in the 15th Century". Tim Bowly retired from British Aerospace Dynamics in 2002, since when he has completed an MA and is completing a PhD on the subject of his talk. He will tell us about medieval ships and their merchandise, the ports they used, navigation, ships of war, piracy, exploration and some of the men who financed and sailed in Bristol ships.

Wed 7 Mar. 2012

Prof. Tom James has advised Melvyn Bragg and Bettany Hughes on the Black Death and contributed to Radio 4’s ‘This Scepter’d Isle’. He will give us an illustrated talk on "The Greatest Catastrophe in Recorded History: The Black Death of 1348-50" which, according to modern scholarship, killed over 50% of the population of Europe. His wide-ranging talk will include the impacts of the plague on art and architecture, on the economy and on the mentality of the people of the time.

Wed. 4 Apr. 2012

John Loosley, an energetic and lively local historian, will be telling us about his researches into "Childhood Employment in Gloucestershire". He has looked into child workers in the Forest of Dean and the textile mills of Stroud.

 

All events (except that on 2 November 2011, which will be held in Olveston School with free entry for all) will be held at the Methodist Hall, The Street, Olveston BS35 4DR at 7.30pm.  

Existing and new members are very welcome, as are visitors. 

Annual membership and entry to the entire season of talks: £5, payable at the door.              

Entry to single talk: £2, payable at the door. 

 

Following up Paul Barnett's February 2010 talk on the Purton Hulks, OPHS members visited the hulks, with Paul as a guide, in May.  This was one of our two field trips in 2010.

OPHS Visit to Purton Hulks