South Gloucestershire’s three-day Heritage Open Days event may be coming to an end but there’s still chance to visit a number of local places of interest this Sunday (11th September).
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, just the other side of the M4 from Bradley Stoke, will be open to the public from 2pm – 5pm. Demonstrations of a 200-year-old cider press will be given throughout the afternoon.
St Michael’s Church, next door to the barn, will also be open and serving refreshments.
Over in Frenchay village, The Quaker Meeting House in Beckspool Road will be open from 1:30pm to 5pm. The present Grade II building was erected in 1809, though it reflects a history of Quaker life and worship on site and nearby since the mid 17th century.
Also in Frenchay, the Village Museum will be open from 2pm to 5pm, featuring a display about J S Fry & Sons, with medals won by the firm at International Exhibitions in the 19th century, and a bar of their of chocolate that was displayed at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.
Slightly further afield in Coalpit Heath, the Ram Hill Colliery site is open from 10:30am to 4:30pm. The colliery successfully produced coal for Bristol from the 1830s to the 1860s. On site are the remains of the Horse Gin and Engine House, together with a terminus of the dramway, an old horse drawn railway.
The Friends of Ram Hill group will be offering guided tours, and information will also be available from the South Gloucestershire Miners Research Group (SGMRG). Refreshments are being provided and there is wheelchair access. Anyone attending should be mindful of the weather, and wear sensible shoes!
More info: South Gloucestershire Heritage Open Days 2011 leaflet [PDF, 1MB]
