CITY

Introduction:

Known as the capital of the West of England, the City and County of Bristol sit on the River Avon bounded by the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire. With a current population of 433,000 the city is the second largest in the South of England, coming after London.

Brief History:

Starting out as a Saxon village called Brigg Stow, it did not take long for the name Bristol to come into use and by the 10th century it had become a town.

In the 11th century a mint was introduced and a weekly market was started, already indicating the importance of the town. Trading in wool and leather was begun and the goods were being sold in Somerset, Devon and even Dublin.

In 1066, when the population had reached about 4000, the town was absorbed by William the Conqueror and a wooden fort was built by the king.

After England invaded Dublin in 1171 that city was given to Bristol as a colony and many Bristolians moved there.

In 1154 when Henry II arrived on the throne as King, he was also ruler of South West France. Bristol imported wines from the region and another trade for the city was formed. This was followed by wines from Spain and Portugal in the middle ages, and woad for dyeing. Mediaeval Bristol also started rope, sailcloth and lead industries. The wooden fort was replaced with a stone castle.

In 1542 the town was made a city and a bishop was installed.

In Tudor times the city suffered with the plague in 1575 and 1602-04.

The English civil war saw the city initially held by the Parliamentarians  in 1642 and by July 1643 was in Royalist hands. After falling back into Cromwell’s hands in 1645 he ordered the destruction of the castle.

In the 17th Century when African slavery was just beginning the city, because of its western location, became a major port importing tobacco and sugar. A new glass industry also flourished.

The 18th century with slavery at its height saw the prosperity of Bristol accelerate. Timber from Scandinavia fed the shipbuilding industry, cannons, chains and anchors were manufactured and a brewing industry was founded.

By 1801 the population had reached 68,000 and fine buildings were constructed for trade and administration purposes.

New docks were built in Avonmouth and railways reached the city from London in 1841. Shortly after trains would connect Bristol to Exeter and Plymouth. Two major ships were built in the city. One in 1837 was the Great Western, followed by the Great Britain in 1844.

The twentieth century saw much change. Many of the old industries went into decline but were replaced by aircraft, chocolate and furniture manufacturing.

The population had reached 330,000 and a respected university was introduced.

The city, because of its industry, was badly damaged in WW2.

Post war, with the city centre re-built, and into the 21st century, the city has become a prosperous regional capital with industrial and financial industries, together with tourism, shopping and culture to the fore.

Things to do:

As a major city there is much for a visitor to the city to enjoy. Recommended would be the following:-

Clifton Suspension Bridge:

Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s iconic bridge high above the River Avon was completed in 1864, after the engineer’s death.

SS Great Britain:

Moored in the dock in the city centre, a visit on board another Brunel project, is an interesting experience.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery:

Located in a fine Edwardian building in Queen’s Road the gallery contains nineteen galleries over three floors. It is renowned for its art, archaeology, geology, natural history and invention displays. To complete the visit is a shop and a café.

River Cruises:

There are various ways of exploring the Bristol waterways. They include Packet Boat Trips, Ferry Boats and boats operated by Number Seven and Avon River Cruises.

Bristol Cathedral:

Located on College Green in the centre of the city it started out as an Augustinian Abbey in mid 12th Century. The building expanded and a great mediaeval “hall church” emerged, one of the finest in England and Europe. After the Abbey was dissolved in 1539, by Henry VIII, it became a “new foundation” cathedral in 1542 and named the Holy and Undivided Trinity.  

Cabot Tower:

A panoramic view of the city can be gained by climbing the spiral staircase in this 105 ft. tower which is located on Brandon Hill park land near to Park Street.

Other Places of Interest:

These include Queen’s Square Park, St. Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol Zoo and Georgian House Museum.

Near to the city and easily accessible are Bath, Cheddar Gorge, Cotswolds and its villages and the Somerset coast.

Sports:

Bristol is a big Rugby Union city, is the home of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and of course is known for its two professional League football clubs, City and Rovers. Sadly Rovers were relegated out of the League into the Conference in 2014.

A range of other sports and activities are available.

Night Life:

Theatre:

Musicals and London West End shows are performed at the Bristol Hippodrome. The Tobacco Factory Theatre is a popular theatre and café bar.

Colston Hall is a major concert hall for rock concerts and classical performances.

Bristol Old Vic is a leading theatre for cutting edge drama.

Cinema:

The Watershed on the Harbourside in the city centre is an independent film venue plus being a major digital media centre.

Bars and Pubs:

The city has a thriving night scene with pubs, bars and clubs located throughout the city especially at Harbourside, Old City and Clifton areas. There is also a gay scene with a few pubs and clubs catering for same.

Eating Out:

With a multi cultured population it is natural that ethnic eating is a feature of the culinary scene. Restaurants, cafes and bars are located throughout the city. These establishments are also located in the same areas as the bars and pubs.

Shopping:

Bristol being a Regional capital is also a major Regional shopping centre. All the major British department stores and chain stores are located in the many shopping areas of the city. The central shopping area covers Broadmead, Cabot Circus, The Galleries and Quakers Friars.

Interesting independent shops are found in Park Street and Clifton area.

One of the country’s largest shopping malls, Cribb’s Causeway is located in the north of the city and again has a diverse range of department stores, such as Jon Lewis, and chains.

Transport:

Rail:

The city is just 90 minutes from London Paddington station and is a major rail hub in the country. Temple Meads is the famous Great Western station and through trains from London to South Wales stop at Bristol Parkway. The rest of the UK is well served by trains to and from Bristol.

Road:

The M4 (London to Swansea) and M5 (plus M6- Exeter to Carlisle) motorways cross in the north west of the city so making access to the city by road very convenient.

National Express similarly cover the country with their routes.

Bus:

The city has an extensive bus system which operates through the centre and suburbs.

Park and Ride is also a good alternative to access the city centre.

Air:

Bristol Airport has a large range of national and international routes operating to and from this city facility.

Taxis:

Accommodation:-

All the major hotel chains are represented in the city covering all price ranges.

Guest houses are also plentiful, more so in the suburbs and Clifton.

BRISTOL ROVERS

Stadium: The Memorial Stadium. Filton Avenue. Bristol. BS7 0BF.

Founded: 1883                                      

Joined League: 1920

Chairman:  Steve Hamer                        

Manager: Matt Taylor

Current League: League 1.

Phone Number:  0117 9096648

Email: see club website for relevant email address.

Brief History:

Rovers started its existence as the Black Arabs in 1883 after a meeting held in Stapleton Road, Eastville. Their first ground was Purdown but they also played at Three Acres, The Downs and Rudgway by the early 1890s and on the way changed their name to Eastville Rovers. 1n 1897 the club moved to a new venue which became Eastville Stadium and for the 1898/99 a change of name to Bristol Rovers. In 1899 Rovers joined the Southern League and in 1920 were invited to play in Division 3 of the Football League.

Their first decade of League football was not spectacular but on 3rd March 1928 a Football League record was set which still stands today. A young player named Ronnie Dix became the youngest ever Football League player to score a League goal when he netted against Norwich City aged 15 years and 180 days.

Rovers remained in Division 3 up to World War 2 but on the way they beat the Dutch national team 3-2, in the Netherlands, in November 1930. Season 1931/32 saw the introduction of the famous blue and white quartered shirts and white shorts.

In 1932 an event occurred which would have significant effect on The Gas fifty years ahead. Bristol Greyhound Racing Association gained a position where by they could buy Eastville at any time they wished and eventually they took this up.

In April 1936 Rovers suffered their biggest ever defeat, losing 0-12, at the hands of Luton Town. Town player Joe Payne scored 10 of the goals which is still a League record for number of goals scored by a single player.

Post WW2 the club’s playing fortunes began to improve and in 1953 Rovers won promotion from Division 3 South to Division 2. They remained in this League until 1962 when relegation sent them down to Division 3. During their sojourn in Division 2 they did have an impressive 4-0 win over Manchester United, in 1955, in a FA Cup tie. Five of the United players in that match were killed in the Munich air disaster. In 1956 and 1959 the club reached their highest ever League position, 6th in Division 2.

The first half of the 1970s saw Rovers in the third tier still but in 1974 regained their Division 2 status again for seven seasons, before relegation struck again.

The 1980s saw the saga over the stadium, which began in the 1930s, come to a conclusion. After omitting to sign a new lease on Eastville, and then a fire at the ground, saw the club play 5 unpopular games at Ashton Gate, home of rivals Bristol City. The club returned to Eastville until 1986 when they took up a ground share with Bath City at Twerton Park. During this period they did achieve three seasons back in the second tier.

1996 saw a return to Bristol, this time sharing with Bristol Rugby Club, at the Memorial Stadium. This move did not help the club’s League performances as they bobbed between the bottom two levels of the League, which ended with a disaster in 2014 when they were relegated out of the League into the Conference. However, impressively, they bounced back into the League after just season away. Then, after a solid season, they gained promotion to League 1 at the end of 2015/16 season.                          

Match Day:

Tickets:

Away fans should check with their own club about buying tickets.

There are various ways of purchasing tickets. Option 1 is to visit the official club website and follow the ticket purchase route. Option 2 is by visiting the two ticket outlet counters, either at “Pirate Leisure” at the Memorial Stadium or at the supporter’s club shop at 199 Two Mile Hill Road, Kingswood. BS15 1AZ. Alternatively, you can phone 0117 909 6648 to purchase, or pay on the gate, with cash at the turnstile, at the match.

Transport:

Bus

If you arrive at Bristol Temple Meads station use routes 71 and 506. From the city centre (Haymarket) you can use routes 70, 71, 73 and 75. From Bristol Parkway station use route 19.

Rail:

If your journey by train to the Memorial Stadium concludes at Temple Meads or Parkway stations, you can take buses as described above.

Alternatively, a taxi can be used.

Car:

Please note the car park is generally reserved for the season with no close parking for visiting fans.

However, if travelling from the City Centre take the A38 Gloucester Road to the suburbs and when you meet the Filton Avenue junction on your right, signs for the stadium will appear. When travelling from the south west, use the M5, leave at the A38 junction to the city centre and follow the Gloucester Road route as above.

From the North, East and West use the M4 and leave at the M32 junction and travel south. Leave the M32 at the B4469 junction, pass under the motorway and travel north west along the B4469. Turn left onto Downend Road and the stadium is signed on your right.

Air:

From Bristol Airport, to the south west of the city, take the A1 shuttle bus to the city centre and then on by buses described above.

Taxi:

Taxis from throughout the city will take you to the stadium.

Stadium:

After all the years playing at Eastville and then Twerton Park, Bath, The Gas settled into the 12,000 capacity Memorial Stadium in 1996. The four sides of the ground are a bit of a mish mash but it works.

The tallest stand is the Uplands which has seating at the rear and terracing to the front. There is also terracing to either side of the stand. The dugouts are located to the front of the stand. However, the changing rooms are to be found in the opposite, West Stand, which contains executive boxes to the rear, a few rows of seats in front and some terracing. The TV gantry and electronic scoreboard are also housed here. At each end are the Blackthorn Stand and South Stand.

Away supporters are located in open terracing to the side of the Uplands Stand. The food on offer is of generally good standard but no alcohol is available to away fans in the ground. There are however a few reasonable pubs to be found nearby on the A38, Gloucester Road.

The future, well there are plans afoot for the club to relocate to a new stadium in the next decade.