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Andy Gawthrope Andy Gawthrope

Stokes Croft & Montpellier

I’m not sure whether the sign was genuinely for some past event that I’d missed or whether some bright spark had spotted the scene and erected the sign. But whichever it made me giggle. :-)

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Bristol - Home of Artists. Part 3

The Mild Mild West is, of course, the Banksy on the side wall of the Canteen. Walk along the road from the city and it's easy to miss. Walk towards the city and it's impossible to miss! So what did I do? Yup, you guessed it! First I got distracted by the collection of bicycles under a tree at Turbo Island and then by a big stylised 'Forever' painted on the Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) Outdoor Gallery wall.  The paintings on this wall change frequently so its always worth a look when passing. The artwork is always of a very high standard.

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Bristol - Home of Artists. Part 2

The Full Moon pub and hostel sits at the Southern border of Stokes Croft and Bristol city.  Originally built in 1716 as an Inn, today it is still providing accommodation to travellers. It is one of the iconic landmarks in Bristol.   Today the building is colourfully painted with stars, galaxies, nebula and other cosmic scenes and is a true site to behold.  As seen in the photograph it is adjacent to a Stokes Croft boundary marker which claims the area to be a Cultural quarter, a Conservation area and an Outdoor gallery. The boundary marker brilliantly summarises Stokes Croft.

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Bristol - Home of Artists. Part 1

In 1996, work brought me to Bristol or Brizzle as it sounds in the local dialect known as Bristolian. Listen here. Over the years I've really grown to like the place.  It is not too big nor is it too small and it has history. It can be linked to many significant events such as the discovery of North America in 1497 by John Cabot, the construction of technologically advanced ships including the Great Western in 1837 and the SS Great Britain that launched in 1843, blue glass production (known as Bristol Blue) and many nautical phrases such as Shipshape and Bristol fashion whose origin is rapidly fading into the mist of time.

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