The Pensford Local History Group (PLHG) held its third and final talk of the year in early December 2022 and huge thanks go to Garry Atterton for his thoroughly interesting, informative and animated talk on Bedminster Coal, Blood, Sweat and Tears.

There was a lot of information shared and it’s incredible to think what can spark an inquisitive mind after seeing two references to “coal miner” on a marriage certificate one quiet Sunday afternoon! Not only did Garry tell us about the tragedy that struck the Garland family (forty four members across five generations of the family were miners) where seven of them were tragically killed but he also covered the wider aspects of Bedminster coal mining.

Garry, who is a retired teacher, is one of the founder members of the Barton Hill History Group (formed in 1983) in East Bristol. Garry’s interest in history was sparked at a young age by his grandfather William Atterton and, over the last forty years, Garry has been researching and recording the memories of the working class of Barton Hill and Bedminster.

The talk was well attended and enjoyed by nearly forty visitors who braved the damp and cold as winter sets in. Garry’s talk generated a great deal of interest and, during refreshments afterwards, enabled general discussion as well as related questions and answers.

Much of Garry’s research comes under the concept of Voices of the Past. See website www.voicesofthepast.org.uk. Specific research areas include the Great Western Cotton Works, the 1831 Bristol Riots, Victorian poverty in Bristol and, of course, the life and times of the Bedminster coal miners.

You can contact Garry Atterton directly via: [email protected]