More Henleaze Connections: Pastimes, Pastures and People

Veronica Bowerman, the best-selling author on the Henleaze area of Bristol, loves to write about its surprising and occasionally murky past. Once again, she has been able to unravel several fascinating mysteries and has included some previously unpublished photos, several from private collections.Veronica has introduced to a rich and fascinating mixture of local and social history thanks to the diverse contributors who have helped to create this book with their stories and memories. She has been able to include some landmarks, decreasing open spaces, housing, schools, shops and businesses together with their stories not covered in her previous books. Some of the folk highlighted have been courageous, others adventurous and a few downright quirky. Particularly important in 2019 are two centenaries that are taking place in the area – both are connected to the Badock family. For many years Veronica had wanted to make contact with the Curtis family. In 2018 she was, fortunately, able to be granted access to information about Sidney Curtis through his youngest grandson. Sidney was involved in many fascinating projects in the area from the early 1920s until the 1940s including numerous new house builds on the former Henleaze Park estate. This book aims to underline that Henleaze has never been boring such as the long-running fight to retain open space on Golden Hill. Although Henleaze has had to reinvent itself several times over the years to take on board the needs of the local community the content of this book reinforces that it is still an interesting place for residents and visitors alike.