It is a wonder that there is any community at all in Bristol’s Hotwells as the district has seen more major changes over the centuries than any other.
Now, a new book by local resident Sue Stops tells the story of this remarkable area and the resilience of the community spirit, which is still alive and well and manifests itself in an annual pantomime every year.
“Hotwells – Spa to Pantomime”, published by Bristol Books, tells the story of this fascinating area next to the River Avon created in the 17th Century by rich merchants keen to take advantage of the natural hot springs to provide a spa that would rival fashionable Bath and Cheltenham.
That saw a massive building boom in the area but Hotwells has never been able to rest peacefully as it has been at the forefront of important changes that have enabled Bristol to thrive as a port and as a modern city.
Sue Stops says: “The community of Hotwells and Cliftonwood has learnt to cope with some extraordinary changes. Imagine in the early 1800s having to cope with 1,000 men digging the massive pit that would become Cumberland Basin, or the distress of the community in the 1960s when the road system over the basin involved destroying the heart of Hotwells to enable cars to become more important than people.
“The book was almost finished when news arrived that plans are afoot for more changes around the Cumberland Basin. Among the streets knocked down when the ‘Flyover’ was built, was Western Square. One can only hope this is the inspiration for the name Western Harbour.”
As well as a canter through the history of the area the book chronicles the remarkable story of how the community rolled up its sleeves in the late 1970s and renovated the derelict Hope Chapel, turning it into a thriving and vibrant Community Arts Centre.
For 20 years, Hope Centre hosted an extraordinary array of bands, performers and touring theatre companies. From puppetry to poetry and from writing to music workshops, the range of creative activities on offer for young and old was amazing. Hope Centre reverted to a place of worship in the late 1990s, but the annual pantomime lives on and the book celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The book will be launched at this year’s pantomime “The Mardyke Mermaid” which runs from March 11 to 14 and which is written, performed and produced by local people from this remarkably resilient community.
“Hotwells-Spa to Pantomime” is on sale at Hope Chapel every night of the pantomime, where a book can be bought from Sue Stops for £10 cash. Alternatively, give Sue a call on 0117 939 7999 to order a copy or you can pop into a range of local book and gift shops or buy online Here
