Knowle, Bristol - Redcatch Park - air raid shelter

[lizb]

Other memories - I went to KNowle Park junior school - as did my father before me. There was an annex in the road opposite the entrance to the park in Broad Walk. Also what was originally the COngregation Church Sunday School in Broad Walk. And wasn't the local swimming pool nearby - we went there from school - I hated that!

My father, grandfather and great grandfather were all stalwart members of Kmowle Park Bowls Club which met in Redcatch Park. I have been trying to find out more information about their time at this club and what has happened to it since. I don't suppose any Rootschat members can help me here?

lizb

[Mary Crane]

It was the Jubilee Swimming Baths which were more or less at the top of Talbot Hill (I think it was called) - the very steep hill that led from Knowle down to Brislington.  I too used to go to swimming there.

A couple of names from Broad Walk - Millington and Wilkinson.  Don't know if they ring a bell

Mary

[Heather24Anne]

I was told that there was an air raid shelter on the triangle of grass at the junction of Wedmore Vale and Marksbury Road.

I grew up in Bath, but worked in Jubilee Hall, Wedmore Vale, Bristol in 1993-1994.  So picked up information from local people whilst waiting at the bus stop.

[lizb]

I have just found this post I started some time ago and thought I would revisit. Since then I have visited Redcatch Park.

I was HORRIFIED to find that the very popular Bowls Club which three generations of my family were members of - and was always very well used - no longer exists. Instead the bowling green has been turned into a croquet lawn! Apparantly  this is a "more inclusive" sport. I disagree.

When I last saw it - in the late 1980s - the bowling green was heavily used - users had to book ahead - so  would be about 40 people using all day every day. And there is no reason to think this would have changed - the bowling green near where I live now is certainly very  popular. On the other hand, when I saw the croquet lawn it was deserted!

Even worse is the result of my attempts to discover what has happened to the Bowls clubs records and artefacts. I made email contact with a gentleman who was for a while a contact for the old club. He admitted that he held all the old cups and would get back to me if he could find out anything. Since then, nothing......

I asked what had happened to all the old honours boards - up  to 90 years of recorded history - including information I would love to have retrieved about my family. Apparantly they were put into a skip.

I dont think I can write any more

[Mary Crane]

That is such a dreadful story.  I cannot imagine why people would just throw out such valuable historical information and you are right, I am sure bowls is much more popular than croquet and actually more 'inclusive' - both men and women, young and not so young play it these days.

[barrington3]

I have just joined Roots because of your question. My father was in the Home Guard in Knowle, defending Whitchurch Airport.  I have had a long poem abut the home guard at Knowle on line for a few years and I'm trying to update it.  I'd like a photo of the 10th Battalion headquarters on Redcatch Parade and wondered if you knew of any. 

The other matter, I have a photo and several league tables of shooting comepetions so if you can tell me the name of your family mebers in the HG I may be able to give you info.  If you google "Barrington Fox hengrove poems" the long poem will appear. The home guard poems are somewhere in the middle.

[lizb]

Pleased to read your post. t some point I have already found your poem about guarding Whitchurch airport but  not the others or background to poem. It helped me get a sense of time.
it is good you talked to your father. I wish I had talked to my father or grandfather about it when they were alive. I grew up in area and remember the last effects of bomb craters etc but no one talked about the war. And things are forgotten so quickly. I talked to my aunt before she died but she was very vague about what her father and brother did.
Their names were Ernest Bishop and John Bishop. John was only involved briefly before he was called up. They lived in Knowle and Their unit was based near REdatch Park. That is all I have been able to establish.
I do have some photos of the area in war years and will see if I can find any of HQ. I have found it difficult following up home guard records. If I knew of any specific resource at a records office or in a newspaper I might be able to follow it up.

[barrington3]

Thanks for the reply.  I've checked the names I have but I can't find a Bishop, I'm afraid - although the name seems very familiar.   When I redo my big poem I have shooting scores and a photo of the shooting team to put in. There may by names you recognize.

I agree, it would be good to get Home Guard records.  If you find  source will you let me know.  And if you have photos of wartime Knowle I'd be glad to see them 

[lizb]

If you send me your email address in a PM (personal message) using Rootschat link   I will send pictures of wartime Knowle.

let me know if you remember or if d references to Bishop family in Knowle. My great grandfather and two brothers moved to the area circa 1910 and they all had sons and grandsons so it is possible they might be part of my family.