28th and 29th September 2019 Explore Bristol’s maritime past at Docks Heritage Weekend 2019, with events for all ages at Underfall Yard, M Shed and SS Great Britain. This annual event celebrates the important story of Bristol’s historic Docks, which were the centre of the city’s trade for centuries. Eclipsed after the 1920s by Avonmouth Docks, the last regular trading ship departed in 1974 and [...]
The Underfall Yard Trust is delighted to welcome Suzannah V. Evans as the yard's first Poet in Residence. An outstanding poet, Suzannah is a PhD researcher in the Department of English Studies at Durham University. Find out more about Suzannah's work here. First day! ‘You do just have to listen to the boatman.’ - Vahni Capildeo, ‘Inishbofin: II’ I first discovered Underfall [...]
Underfall Yard Work Experience student Renée Weber has been finding out about Yard Fest which coincides with Harbour Festival 2019. The Harbour Festival is taking place this year from Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July. It celebrates the city’s maritime heritage and the importance of Bristol's docks and harbour. Visitors can enjoy: food, dance, music, live circus acts, handmade crafts, henna tattoos, games and so much more. Immerse [...]
Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Izzie Compton explores the work of a very special boat A crowd gathered outside the Underfall Yard Visitor Centre on 21st May to celebrate the arrival in Bristol of the ‘Poly-Roger’. The punt, made from 99% recycled plastic, is one of three touring the UK in an effort to bring the problem of plastic pollution closer to those in cities. In light [...]
2018 was a busy year for the many businesses that call Underfall Yard home, and they have big plans for the future. Text by Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Izzie Compton. Omni Productions Omni at the Yard. Omni productions continue to inspire, unite and educate people through video. In 2018, Omni collaborated with All-Aboard Watersports to produce a pro-bono video promoting the ‘School Inclusive [...]
In May 2019 the Underfall Yard will host a special poetry and drama event featuring Swan, a former Royal Navy training boat called a Montagu Whaler. Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Izzie Compton investigates. A boat rich in heritage and close to the hearts of many, the Montagu Whaler is an enduring emblem of the Navy and its triumphs. Designed in the 1880s by Admiral Montagu [...]
In November Underfall Yard Volunteers and staff were updated by Bristol City Council’s Docks Engineer Ian Johnson on his plans for the Harbour in 2019 and beyond. Following Ian’s talk, volunteers were invited to ask questions about water management in the Harbour. During a wide-ranging and fascinating session many interesting points were highlighted. Docks Engineer Ian Johnson addresses Underfall Yard volunteers. Plans for [...]
Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Natalie Smith investigates the jobs done by women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated environment. It began with a photograph in the Visitor Centre at the Underfall Yard. Captain Short beams into the camera, clutching his retirement gift of a radio. Surrounding him are a group of 16 men and just three women. I started thinking about Harbour-based job opportunities [...]
Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Isabelle Compton caught up with Justin Quinnell to discuss his recent exhibition. Pinhole photographer and teacher, Justin Quinnell, combines art and science to produce stunning, and sometimes funny photos using pinhole cameras. The essence of his works is unpredictability and exploring the realms of the ‘what if...’ An exhibition of continuous exposures depicting views of the North Atlantic from the masts [...]
It was a crisp winter’s afternoon when I ventured out onto the harbour for a chat with Ben from the Harbour Master’s Office. It seems worlds away from the recent heatwave and, as we approached the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Bristol Flood, I found myself thinking a lot about that day. I was fortunate enough to join up with Ben on a day when he was working alongside [...]