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Tag: Gloucestershire

  • William Champion’s garden in Warmley near Bristol

    William Champion’s garden in Warmley near Bristol

    This weekend I had a chance to take a tour of William Champion’s garden. William Champion (1709 – 1789) was one of Bristol’s most important industrial pioneers. In 1738 he patented the first successful commercial process for separating zinc from its ore. He went on to establish a thriving brass works which became one of…

  • Exploring the history of Gloucester

    Exploring the history of Gloucester

    I belong to a local history walking group and this year as well as our usual walks in Bristol and Bath , we have been exploring further afield. Each month we have been catching the train from Bristol to a nearby city and discovering some of the local history. This usually includes a visit to…

  • A stroll through Kingswood

    A stroll through Kingswood

    On Sunday about twenty of us enjoyed a short stroll through Kingswood on the outskirts of Bristol. The walk was part of the annual Bristol walk festival. It was led by a very knowledgeable guide. She had been working with a local reminiscence group and was able to share some of their memories with us…

  • Where to see snowdrops in the southwest

    Where to see snowdrops in the southwest

    Snowdrops are a sure sign that spring is on the way. The drooping heads of these delicate flowers are an uplifting sight on a late winter’s day. Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) may signal that warmer weather is on the way, but a dusting of snow provides a brilliant photo opportunity. They generally flower from January to…

  • Quakers in Frenchay, tales of chocolate and cricket

    Quakers in Frenchay, tales of chocolate and cricket

    We had a cold start to February but the weather is slowly getting warmer as the days lengthen. Local wildlife enthusiasts are predicting a good spring blossom season as the cold snap will have delayed some early flowering plants. I have been spotting more spring flowers on my walks. This week for Natalie’s coffee share…

  • Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Staple Hill

    Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Staple Hill

    I love a blogging challenge. Last year I was glad to be able to join a Sunday stills photo challenge to illustrate a favourite Christmas carol or song. To be honest, I found it more difficult than I expected. Actually, I love “White Christmas” but we did not have any snow nor could I find…

  • Autumn at Dyrham Park

    Autumn at Dyrham Park

    In England, October can be a particularly hit or miss month for weather. Sometimes we seem to get weeks of rain or fog. This year so far, we have been lucky and have had plenty of warm sunny weather. This followed a record breaking hot and dry summer. Unfortunately our politics have not been so…

  • Postcard from the Windrush valley

    Postcard from the Windrush valley

    The river Windrush flows through the heart of the Cotswolds before it joins the Thames at Oxford