Last weekend saw the annual Docks Heritage event where we try to give a flavour of cargo handling and other activities for the public to see. Sadly we were sans actors this year but the volunteers put in a good shift in demonstrating the exhibits, including rides in Pyronaut, crane 31, and loading demos with crane 30 along with a few shunting actions using the capstan. Thanks to Emily for these pics.
Portbury was also on the quayside for people to have a look in the cab. At the end of the day it was seen shunting the stock back into the yard.
The Western Harbour / Harbour Hopes project encompasses the redevelopment of land around the Cumberland Basin, including the Bonded Warehouses and the Western end of the Railway itself. The consultation for this closes this Friday (April 22nd). If you feel that it is important to retain the Bristol Harbour Railway’s planned station and Western terminus, you can let the planners know here:
CLICK HERE for the link to the HARBOUR HOPES consultation.
Personally I feel it would be excellent to have the UK’s only standard gauge city-centre steam railway linking two of the most exciting urban regeneration areas (Western Harbour and Wapping Wharf), providing a genuine transport link on running days as well as serving as both an educational and entertainment amenity with a ‘living history’ link to Bristol’s heritage.
In the consultation, question 6 allows you to submit your own comments. If anyone is interested, these are my hopes for the Harbour: “As a local resident, the key thing that means a great deal to me is the integration of the Bristol Harbour Railway into the Western Harbour development. The BHR has not been able to use the station on this site for several years (due to Metrobus construction and river wall repairs) but is soon to make a return. I feel that the opportunity for the UK’s only standard gauge city-centre steam railway to directly connect two of the most exciting urban regeneration projects (Western Harbour and Wapping Wharf) is not to be missed. The railway is operated by volunteers who take great pride in their work and there is a real community spirit to the operation which can be built upon. On operating days it can provide a genuine transport link whilst at the same time a link to Bristol’s industrial heritage, entertaining and educating at the same time. It would be a great shame to lose this opportunity if the railway line were to be built upon. I believe the railway management should be brought on-board in advising how the integration could work.”
The BHR is running steam trains this Easter on Sat/Sun/Mon, all being well both Portbury and Henbury should be out.
Here is a little photo album from the 1950s weekend, where we got the working exhibits out again to demonstrate activity and cargo handling on the quayside. The M Shed exhibits and volunteers were joined by vehicles from The Shopland Collection and ‘Mr. and Mrs. Purnell’ from The Show of Strength Theatre Company. Thanks to Chloe Little and Bob Edwardes for these photos.
The M Shed website states: Our one-to-one tuition gives you the thrill of being the driver whilst testing your skill in controlling the hook.
After taking both machines for a spin, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement.
Timeslots are available every 40 minutes. Please report to reception 15 minutes before your allocated time slot where a buddy will show you to the working area.
It’s been a week since the first public outing for the working exhibits in over a year, Docks Heritage Weekend. What a blast! So great to have the volunteers working with the public again. Both Portbury and Henbury were on display and the capstan was back in operation both days, and crane 30 was kept busy loading and unloading the lorry. Quayside operations were bolstered with audience interaction from the Show of Strength Theatre company. Thanks for Bob, Bruce and the M Shed social media channels for these photos of the weekend.
The active fleet seen outside the shed today as ‘Portbury’ warms up ahead of DOCKS HERITAGE WEEKEND making a comeback after the pandemic.
Activities at M Shed Trips on electric crane No.31 (charges apply) Trips on the John King tug (charges apply) Cargo handling demonstrations with Crane 30 and the electric capstan Dramatic interludes from Show of Strength Theatre Company exploring characters from the docks’ past, Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 4pm Visit the Fairbairn steam crane Trips to see a stationary steam locomotive (charges apply) – Portbury is rostered for this Visit the Bristol Port Company stand See a Bristol Steam Navigation Company display Events at SS Great Britain Pre-booked free tours of the Albion Dock Brunel Institute will be open (free) between 11am to 3pm on both days for visitors to drop in to meet a curator and see some of the collection objects celebrating Bristol’s docks heritage Victorian street games on Brunel Square on Saturday Shanty Festival performances on Brunel Square on Sunday ‘Mr Brunel’ will be on Brunel Square both days Photography festival ‘Opening Up’ on Brunel Square both days Activities at Underfall Yard Demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing skills Appreciate engineering in miniature with model steam engines and workshops Discover the tools of yesteryear with the Tools and Trades History Society Try your hand at nautical knots Watch the pumps that powered a port running throughout the weekend See our magnificent machinery workshops in action Enjoy songs of the sea performed by several sea shanty groups as part of Bristol Shanty Festival (Sunday only).
Back at the start of the month, Crane 30 was used to lift off the wheelhouse to Bristol tug ‘John King’ so it can have some tender loving care.
Thanks to Bob Edwardes for these photos! Bob says “Whilst up the crane I also had a cracking view of the recently restored Thames sailing barge (S.B. Gladys) making her way from Gloucester back to London via Bristol Harbour.”
With great sadness I report that Andy King, curator of Bristol Industrial Museum and M Shed, passed away this week. The jibs of cranes 31 and 32 have been lowered and crossed in honour of Andy’s work. Andy joined Bristol Museum’s curatorial team 40 years ago. Part of the group tasked with getting ‘Mayflower’ back into working order, he went on to become the driving force behind many of the working exhibits and ensuring that they continue to entertain and educate thousands of people for years to come. He will be greatly missed by all the volunteers and staff.
