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Cuttings from the Newsletter- July 2004 |
A Wellingtonia on Brandon Hill. An almost forgotten piece of Local History.
1973 was designated National Plant a Tree Year, with a 'catch phrase' 'Plant a Tree in '73 ', to which was later added 'And plant some more in '74'. The Bristol Civic Society responded with an initiative which, over the years, has resulted in hundreds of trees being planted in Bristol's streets and open spaces. Almost all of these have dramatically improved their areas - think of the trees on Narrow Quay, which was a wind-swept ugly car park back then!
The very first of 'our' trees was a Wellingtonia planted on 19th July on Brandon Hill, overlooking the ss GB. The 19th July was chosen because that is the date the ship's keel was laid in 1839, when it was launched in 1843 and, by great fortune, the date it returned in 1970 to the dock where it was built. A bronze plaque detailed the background as follows:
THIS "WELLINGTONIA", PLANTED OVERLOOKING
THE SS "GREAT BRITAIN", WHICH FIRST BROUGHT
THE SPECIES TO ENGLAND, COMMEMORATES THE
SHIP'S LAUNCHING AND PLANT A TREE YEAR.
PLANTED 19th JULY, 1973.
BY REPRESENTATIVES OF
BRISTOL CORPORATION, ALD. H. Wm. WILLCOX,
SS "GREAT BRITAIN" PROJECT AND
BRISTOL COMMITTEE,
MR R. GOOLD-ADAMS,
PLANT A TREE, 1973, GROUP,
DR JAMES BRIGGS.At the time I was secretary of the Society, who had the initiative for the tree and plaque, for which they paid £40. They also had the initiative to found the 'SS Great Britain for Bristol Committee' and handed to me the task of setting this up.
My wife scoured southern England to find a container grown Wellingtonia which could be planted in high summer. One was eventually located at Hilliers in Winchester - cost £5. The planting ceremony took place as described, although my 10 year old son actually did the 'official' planting, with photo evidence in next day's Evening Post! Some of those present, who included Ann & Kim Hicks and Stephen Macfarlane, shared a 10th anniversary 'birthday party' near the tree on 19th July 1983.
The tree was originally about 3' tall. Today, over 30 years on, the ship has changed dramatically, the tree is about 60' tall and my son 6'7"! The original plaque 'disappeared' some time in the 1980s. I personally had it replaced it in the early 90s, but it has gone again.
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Some years ago I approached the City with a request for another replacement
- according to the Public Monument and Sculpture Association National
Recording Project (web site address
http://pmsa.courtauld.ac.uk/pmsa/BL/BR362.htm) the City has 'a duty of
care'; they said they had no money and that I should approach the ss GB.
This I did, but never had a reply. In the meantime, in 2001, I had obtained
a quote of £195.00 +VAT for an 8"x6" bronze plaque, about the size of the
original.
I write because this story is in the process of being lost. It now only
really resides in my family's memory and perhaps in that of the Hicks and
Macfarlanes - I think it deserves a wider public in Bristol. In April this
year I wrote to the Evening Post and wondered if they would consider
replacing the plaque, along with a new, vandal proof stand? (the original
stand is still there, but long empty!). However, the letter was not
published. There the matter rests. What's to be done? Ideas please!!
James Briggs
Footpaths, Bristol's History & Photo Archives
9681415
email: james@briggs13.fsnet.co.uk