Bristol's history is packed with peculiar customs and curious characters. This book explains why the vicar in one church goes on an annual trek to peer down a manhole; why captains of industry sing an eighteen-verse song in memory of Queen Elizabeth I; and how the Flower of Bristol got its name. You will meet some unusual contraptions, like the bed with in-built exercise equipment, or the thrashing machine for naughty boys. You will also discover why a public clock still runs to Bristol time. This compendium of the weird and wonderful will surprise even those Bristolians who thought they really knew their city.

Autorentext

MAURICE FELLS is a born and bred Bristolian with a passionate interest in the city's history, and a prolific author of books about Bristol. He worked as a journalist in both the print and broadcast mediums, and held key editorial posts in regional television, radio and newspapers. He now freelances, with features on local history appearing in the Western Daily Press and Bristol Post. He is often asked by BBC West and ITV West to take part in programmes about regional history. He has also written features about the regeneration of Bristol City Docks for national newspapers.