December 2019

• The 2019 Civic Award was given to Helen and Mick of Court House Farm, High Street, Portishead in recognition of the major contribution to the built environment that Helen and Mick have made with their renovation and conservation work on the Grade Two* listed Court House Farm.
• The latest edition of Posset Pieces – No 23 ‘More People, More Places’ is now available.

 

April 2019

• There is a change to the programme for our April meeting.

March 2019

• On Saturday morning, 9 March 2019, twelve members of the Gordano Civic Society visited St. Peter's Church, Portishead to climb the church tower. We went at the invitation of the church as we had donated £1,000 from the sale of “Posset Pieces” towards the refurbishment of the clock face on the tower. We first of all climbed the steps into the ringing chamber where we discovered the many commemoration boards recording special bell-ringing events. The day was very bright and also very windy but this did not deter most of our party, who climbed right to the top of the tower to look at the wonderful views and take a few photos. The early blossom of the magnolia trees caught many people's eyes which were in full bloom because of the beautiful summery weather in February! Click photo for a slide show …

• Ken Crowhurst, former chairman of the Gordano Society, has sadly passed away. He was chairman from 1997 for 11 years and then president for 5 years from 2008. Prior to that date he was chairman of the local history group following his move to Portishead in 1970. He published three books of photos on Portishead, the last one published in 2001 with before and after photos of the area. Ken was a very keen local historian and photographer and will be much missed by the Society.

January 2019

• The 2018 Civic Award was presented to the Portishead Pool Community Trust at the January meeting. See Civic Awards page.

December 2018

• The first print run of the latest Posset Pieces on World War One omitted a page listing the local men who died in the war (which relates to the fold-out map). If you have bought the book and the list is missing you may download a copy here, or obtain a printed copy from Martin. The book has been reprinted and now includes this list.

October 2018

• The latest edition of Posset Pieces on World War One is now available – a special colour 170 page book.

• A large scale 1884 map of Portishead and the Gordano Valley area is now available to purchase on disc or USB stick. Details >>

September 2018

• Four candidate buildings for the 2018 Civic Award were presented at the September meeting and members were asked to vote for their preference. The winner was Portishead Pool Community Trust. See Civic Awards page.

June 2018

• We now have on-line shop facilities. All editions of Posset Pieces can be purchased from this website. Other publications will follow shortly.

April 2018

• At our AGM on 9 April Mary Dyer stood down after five years as President. It was decided not to continue with the post. An election of officers and committee members took place and an amended Constitution was agreed. For details see About Us >>.

January 2018

• At the 22 Jan meeting a presentation of the 2017 Civic Award was made to Mike Roberts, Chairman of Portishead RNLI by Mary Dyer, Gordano Civic Society President. The award is for Excellence in the Built Environment for the RNLI building. See Civic Awards page.

• A request was made for someone to lead a team to repaint the railings around the flagpole (originally erected to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1897) at the junction of Beach Road East and South Avenue.

News from other years: