Old News

Oct 2005

• A new bronze plaque has been installed on the mill stone located in the High Street outside the White Lion pub. The cost was shared by the Society and the Town Council..It replaced one stolen by vandals. See ‘What do we do?’ for photo showing inscription.
• Sandy Tebbutt is asking for memories of Portishead 50 years ago. These are required for the Society’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

June 2005

• A Transcription of the 1851 Portishead Census by the Gordano Society has been presented to the Somerset Record Office, Taunton, and copies placed in Weston Super Mare and Portishead Libraries. See Publications for more details
• Sea Britain events for the local area now listed on Porti.info web site

April 2005

• A leaflet on the Sea Britain events will be out soon.
• Next year will be the 50th Anniversary of The Gordano Society. Sandy Tebbutt is doing research into the history and events of 1956, and asked for memories of those times.
• It now seems unlikely that the old fire station will be preserved.

Feb. 2005

• The Committee has been considering the proposed movement of the old fire station building from the old Council refuse site to the corner of Albert Road and High Street, and its possible use as a heritage centre. It was decided that the Society did not have the funds for its upkeep. It is not known who would pay for installation of services or running costs. The Town Council is still discussing the matter with the developers.
• A transcription of the parish 1851 Census has been produced. Two copies are available for members to borrow, and copies can also be found in local libraries. The 1861 census is also available.
• Sandy Tebbutt has been researching the history of the High Street as a shopping street and asked for any memories from the past.
• Sea Britain will be a major national event during 2005. The Gordano Society will be participating with an exhibition in the Somerset Hall from Tues 7th until Fri 10th June.
• A group is researching the history of Battery Point, and is asking for memories of the gun emplacements etc. Some form of restoration is being considered..

Jan 2005

• At the December meeting, the evening of Christmas words and music by ‘Three Men’s Company’ was very well received. The trio made no charge but requested that donations were given to St. Peter’s Hospice. Ken Crowhurst (Chairman) reported that a total of £100 was donated.
• Profits from the raffle were donated to the Portishead Christmas Lights appeal. New regulations regarding external illuminations appear likely to incur substantial expenditure for next Christmas.

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