CULTURAL EXPEDITIONS SPECIAL INTERESTS

Bristol 1904 Arts: Cultural Expeditions

Events Lead: Dr. Paul Main

Prior to Covid-19 there were single day coach expeditions which aimed to cover interest in the fine and applied arts that our Society cherishes. They were designed so that the participants could enjoy each others' company, as well as being enriched by history, architecture, art, music and our wonderful countryside. Following Covid, our events have tended to be Bristol based and principally morning events.

Update on recent Cultural Heritage activities

In 2023, in addition to the Bristol Synagogue visit, we had three historic walks, including one within what was the medieval walled city, with its multitude of churches and inns. These were all led by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Gordon Young, a dyed-in-the-wool, Bristolian.

In 2024, on the first walk of the year we strayed into what was Bristol’s rival town of Redcliffe. Our first ecclesiastical visit was to Church Christ Church with St Ewen, All Saints & St. George, in the City of Bristol. After coffee at Cafe Revival the oldest coffee house in Bristol, we were guided around the church by two of our members, and one of them, our own Jonathan Price, gave us a marvellous church organ recital. We then enjoyed a hearty lunch at the Cosy Club.

A second ecclesiastical event was a guided tour of St Mary Redcliffe (pictured below right) with its magnificent architecture and interesting history. We again had an organ recital and lunch at La Panza. This visit will be reported on by John Stevens in this year’s Grouse (the club's House Magazine) which will be published at Christmas time 2025.

A third visit was a fascinating and educational tour of Freemasons’ Hall followed by lunch at Brown’s.

This year, 2025, after a caffeine boost at the historic Cafe Revival coffee house, we had a brilliant guided tour of the Corn Exchange Air Raid Shelters. Who knew that any of that existed? Lunch was again taken at the Cosy Club. An article about this event, again by John Stevens, will be in this year’s Grouse (to be published at Christmas 2025).

There will be more unusual cultural heritage events as time permits.

Below are some images of our most recent event, the guided trip to the Corn Exchange Air Raid Shelters in Corn Street close to the centre of Bristol. (You can click on the images to see them full size and to navigate the image set).