Plaques

 


Susanna Morgan (1772- 1856) Saturday 22nd March 2025 was a cold early spring day, when a small gathering of CHIS supporters met outside the former home 1 Gloucester Row, Clifton of the social reformer Susanna Morgan. The event was the dedication of a commemorative plaque to honour this remarkable woman. Susanna Morgan was one of the most influential women in Bristol in the early nineteenth century. She wrote three large anonymous pamphlets about the need for a banking system for the poor, a new gaol to replace the notorious Newgate and the need for a fever hospital following a pandemic in 1817. Most importantly, she was heavily involved in running the new bank, and she was involved in schools for poor children and mixed with many of the very rich Bristol men and women. With the poets Coleridge and Southey and the Wedgwood family she took part in Thomas Beddoes and Humphry Davy’s nitrous oxide ‘laughing gas’ experiments to find a cure for tuberculosis at the Pneumatic Institute, Hotwells. In the absence of the chair of CHIS Brian Worthington, Dr Paul Main acted as master of ceremonies. The dedication was done by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol, Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. Due to cold weather the invited guests decamped to the Royal Oak in The Mall, where the local and medical historian Dr Michael Whitfield (retired Senior Lecturer in General Practice, University of Bristol) gave a short talk about Susanna. Michael had researched her story and written a ALHA monograph about her, Susanna Morgan: Campaigning for reform in early 19th century Bristol, 2020, ALHA Vol 34. This was a most inspiring celebration.

https://www.alha.org.uk/publication/susanna-morgancampaigning-for-reform-in-early-19th-century-bristol

https://www.nonconformistwomenwriters1650-1850.com/biographical-summaries/morgan-susanna-1772-1856

Diana Wynne Jones (1934-2011) Saturday 7th September 2024 was a warm autumnal day, when over fifty people gathered at Diana Wynne Jones former home (1976-2011) 9, The Polygon in Hotwells. The occasion was to dedicate a green CHIS commemoration plaque to honour this well known author and celebrate her life and works. Diana was a British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, and short story writer. She principally wrote fantasy novels for children and young adults. Some of her work incorporates themes of science fiction, time travel and parallel or multiple universes. Some of her better known books are Howl's Moving Castle and the Chrestomanci series.

Diana has been cited as an inspiration and muse for several fantasy and science fiction authors including Philip Pullman, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Penelope Lively, and J.K. Rowling. Gaiman described her as "quite simply the best writer for children of her generation".

The dedication was done by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol, Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. One of her sons Michael Burrow, and her biographer and fellow magic and mystery writer Dr Catherine Butler, from Cardiff University, gave short talks about her life and works.

Afterwards the family provided the invited guests with light refreshments at the house. It was a lovely occasion of the family, neighbours and CHIS supporters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Wynne_Jones

Ferdinand Simeon Le Quesne VC, RAMC (1853-1950) Saturday 2nd September 2023 at 11am was a sunny and warm autumn morning, when over fifty people gathered at 6, Victoria Square, Clifton, to witness the dedication of a CHIS commemorative plaque to Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Le Quesne VC, RAMC. A Jerseyman, he qualified as a doctor at King’s College Hospital, London in 1886. He joined the Army Medical Service and was deployed to Burma attached to 2nd Norfolk Regiment. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1889 for exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy, when treating the wounds of 2nd Lieutenant Michel under close fire in Tartan village with the Chin Field Force on 4th May 1889. Le Quesne himself was severely wounded later while attending to the wounds of Captain Mayne. He also fought in the Boer War and WWI, retiring to the West Country as Lieutenant Colonel in 1918. Some of the attendees were in uniform, including RAMC members, and many others wore their own or family medals. Brian Worthington, the Chairman of CHIS, was as usual, the master of ceremonies. The Lord-Lieutenant of the City & County of Bristol, Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ, who was in uniform, did the dedication. Bugler Andrew Lee played the Last Post and Reveille, while Standard-bearer Bob Lawrence from the RAMC Association lowered the flag. The Rev James Patrick from Clifton Cathedral did a prayer and Christopher Ackroyd gave a short presentation about Ferdinand. Two family members from Edinburgh were present, great-great nephew Robert Clayton and great-great-great nephew Alexander Le Quesne Clayton. It was a colourful occasion. Later many of the attendees enjoyed refreshments in Christopher and Alex Ackroyd’s garden.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Le_Quesne

Monica Sjöö (1938-2005) On 19th November 2022, a cold but dry autumn day, a large number of folk congregated outside the Dragon Workshop in Princess Victoria Street, Clifton to celebrate the life and work of the Swedish-born, British-based visionary artist and writer Monica Sjöö . She was radical anarcho/eco-feminist and peace activist, who was an early exponent of the Goddess movement within the UK. Her books and paintings were foundational to the development of feminist art in Britain, beginning at the time of the founding of the women's liberation movement around 1970. She with her husband Stevan Trickey, a silversmith, set up the Dragon workshop in Clifton village. She attended many conferences where she exhibited her paintings and spoke. Annie Johnson, archivist of the Monica Sjöö Estate spoke movingly about her and Dr Paul Main from the CHIS committee did the dedication. A reception was held in a private room at the Ivy where many of the guests, including family members, held hands and sang feminist and Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp songs. It was a joyful occasion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Sj%C3%B6%C3%B6#Reception

Beryl Cook OBE (1926-2008) On December 9th 2020 a memorial CHIS plaque to the artist Beryl Cook OBE was installed at The Coach House, 1A Camp Road, Clifton, where she lived for four years. A celebration wasn’t possible during the pandemic. The sun was shining and there was a refreshing breeze on Saturday, July 9th at 11am, when the plaque was at last dedicated by the Lord-Lieutenant of the City & County of Bristol, Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. This was followed by an excellent talk by Peter Slade, who knew the artist well and used to sell her paintings at the Alexander Gallery on Blackboy Hill. He recalled many amusing anecdotes which kept the thirty attendees highly amused. The party then walked the short distance to the Brunel Room at the Avon Gorge Hotel. Here we heard more memories of Beryl from Peter and enjoyed canapés and coffee/tea with a wonderful view of Brunel’s Suspension

Dr Beryl Corner OBE (1910-2007) On 23rd April, 2020, a green commemorative plaque was erected at Elton House, Rodney Place, Clifton, to honour the pioneer paediatrician, Dr Beryl Corner OBE, JP, MD, FRCP, FRCPH, MD Hon (Bristol), DSc Hon (UWE). Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the formal dedication ceremony could not take place at the time.

On Saturday June 25th 2022, the postponed celebration at last took place with Mrs Linda Edwards, the Deputy Chairman of CHIS, acting as master of ceremonies. The plaque was dedicated by the City of Bristol's High Sheriff, Alex Raikes MBE, DL (Hon LLD). Professor Bhupinder Sandhu OBE, a paediatrician who knew Dr Corner, gave a short talk about her remarkable life and achievements.

We were fortunate to hold the celebration in Dr Corner's former home, courtesy of another paediatrician, Dr Pamela Cairns, who also knew Beryl.

The gathering of about thirty folk included some relatives, one of her first patients, many professional colleagues, friends and CHIS members.

Angela Carter (1940-1992) In September 2020, a green CHIS commemoration plaque was erected at 38, Royal York Crescent, Clifton, to honour the novelist, poet and journalist Angela Carter, who lived in the ground floor flat from 1961 to 1969. Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to have a celebration at that time.

On Saturday 26th March 2022, over thirty people gathered at the house for the official dedication. Brian Worthington, the Chairman of CHIS, was the master of ceremonies. The dedication was done by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. Professor Marie Mulvey-Roberts, from the University of the West of England (UWE), an expert on Angela, gave a short talk about her literary life whilst in Bristol. Amongst the gathering were members of the Angela Carter Society, academics from UWE and Bristol University, representatives from the Wise Children Theatre Company, as well as neighbours and CHIS members. Afterwards, we made the short walk to Coppa in Regent Street, for refreshments, and to continue our conversations.

Mary Renault (1905-1983 )

On Saturday October 16th 2021, at the main gates of Clifton High School, a CHIS plaque for Mary Renault was dedicated by Dr Ellen O’Gorman, Senior Lecturer in Classics and Director of the Institute for Greece, Rome and the Classical Tradition, University of Bristol. She delivered a short talk about the popular author of classical historical novels, who is said to have been President John Kennedy’s favourite novelist. Over tea in the school we were able to look at the display of Renault’s books and her school records provided by the school Librarian.

In most years since 1989 CHIS has put up at least one of its circular, green plaques to let people know an interesting fact about a building. Usually it is that a noteworthy person lived or worked there.

In March 2015 the first Award for Excellence plaque was unveiled at 1, The Avenue. These plaques show appreciation of a fine construction (great or small), an impressive restoration or improvement.

The following table shows the wide range of interesting people who have lived in Bristol 8.

** Erected To whom or why Details Where **
1989 Randolph Sutton Music Hall Star, was born here in 1888. 29 Anglesea Place
1990 Walter Savage Landor Poet, lived here (1836-37). Penrose Cottage, Harley Place
1992 Dr W.G Grace Father figure of cricket, lived here (1894-96). 15 Victoria Square
1992 E H Young Novelist, lived here (1907-18). 2 Saville Place
1995 **Conwy Lloyd Morgan Psychologist, First Vice Chancellor University of Bristol, lived here (1886-1903). 14/16 Canynge Road
1996 Hannah More Author, playwright, educationalist lived here (1829-33). 4 Windsor Terrace
1996 Cecil Powell Physicist, Nobel Laureate, lived here (1954-69). 12 Goldney Avenue
1996 Clifton Spa Pump Room Part of the Clifton Grand Spa Hydropathic Institution (opened in 1898). On the side of Avon Gorge Hotel.
1998 John Addington Symonds Poet, critic, historian of the Renaissance, lived here (1865-71) 7 Victoria Square
1998 Samuel Jackson Painter, lived here (1843-69). 8 Canynge Square
2000 Susanna Winkworth & Catherine Winkworth Susanna (Philanthropist)/ Catherine (Hymnologist), lived here (1862-74). 31 Cornwallis Crescent
2000 Sir George Oatley Architect. Lived here (1902-34). Bishop’s House, Clifton Hill
2002 Paule Vezelay (Marjorie Watson-Williams ) First woman abstract artist, lived here (1939-42). 2 Rodney Place
2003 Eliza Walker Dunbar Pioneer doctor, lived here (1882-1925). 9 Oakfield Road
2003 Ellen & Rolinda Sharples Artists, lived here (1821-32). 37 Canynge Road
2004 Gertrude Hermes Wood Engraver & Sculptor, died here (1983). 5 Sion Hill
2004 Sir Henry Newbolt Poet. Clifton College Close
2005 Jeremy Rees Founder of the Arnolfini Centre for the Contemporary Arts in Bristol 20 Canynge Square
November 2005 Sir Fabian Ware Responsible for originating the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission during WWI. Glendower House just off Christchurch Green.
December 2005 Prince Rupert Where Prince Rupert surrendered Bristol to Parliament's army towards the end of the first Civil War. Royal Fort House, University of Bristol
March 2006 Sarah Guppy Inventor and mother of Thomas Guppy. 7 Richmond Hill
September 2006 Thomas Guppy Brunel's friend and investor in the Gt Western ship and the GWR. Son of Sarah Guppy. 8/10 Berkeley Square
February
2008 Francis Greenway Known as the Father of Australian Architecture. Clifton Club, The Mall
July 2008 Empress Eugenie de Montijo Wife of Napoleon III, she attended school here in1836. 2 Royal York Crescent
June 2009 Hester Lynch Thrale (Piozzi) 18th century diarist died here in 1821. 10 Sion Row
November 2009 William Budd Epidemiologist lived here 1860-1866. 13 Lansdown Place
March 2010 Bust of Samuel Plimsoll A politician and social reformer who devised the Plimsoll Line. Port Quay, Hotwell Road
October 2010 Keith Floyd The site of the flamboyant chef’s Bistro founded in 1971. 112 Princess Victoria Street
June 2011 Edward St John Daniel VC Born here in 1837. Awarded the VC aged 17 in the Crimean War. 1 Windsor Terrace
October 2012 Cecil Powell Physicist, Nobel Laureate, lived here 1946-54. Old Vic Theatre School
May 2012 Memorial seat to Margaret Floyd An active member of the CHIS Committee. Grassy slope above Goldney Hall
May 2012 Sir Archibald Russell BAC Chief Engineer. A designer of Brabazon (1949), Britannia (1952) & Concorde (1969). Glendower House
February 2015 Dr C.R. Burch Scientist and Engineer 11 Percival Road
May 2015 Dorothy Brown Tireless Conservationist who campaigned over 60 years to preserve and improve Bristol’s buildings 6 Buckingham Vale
August 2015 Charles Richardson Originator & Engineer of the Severn Tunnel 10 Berkeley Square
October 2015 William Pennington Master of the Ceremonies of the Hot Well for 30 years 12 Dowry Square
December 2015 James Johnson Fossil collector and early geologist 12 Dowry Parade
May 2016 Eveline Dew Blacker I Architect – lived here from 1901 and died here 20 Victoria Square
May 2017 Jeremy (Gem) Marsh I Founder of Marcos Sports Car & Racing Driver, born here 1930 Carlton Mansions, Tyndalls Park Road
Aug 2017 William Henry Clayfield I Chemist, Botanist, Geologist, Balloonist, lived here 1814-1837 12 York Place
Apr 2020 Dr Beryl Corner (1910–2007) Paediatrician Elton House, Rodney Place
Sep 2020 Angela Carter (1940–1992) Novelist, lived here 1961–1969 38, Royal York Crescent
Dec 2020 Beryl Cook OBE (1926–2008) Artist, lived here 4 years The Coach House, 1A Camp Road
Oct 2021 Mary Renault (1905–1983) Writer, educated here Main gates of Clifton High School

☞ CHIS Archive: Plaques