Please click on the links under each interview to read a write-up/ summary of the discussion. If you’d like to participate in our audio history project, please contact us – we’d love to talk to you! BoA: a gentle place, despite its problems Jeff Parsons in conversation with Louise Weissel and Lucy Newmarch Christensen LorriesContinueContinue reading “Audio histories of the Old Golf Course and Bradford on Avon”
Category Archives: Local histories
BoA: a gentle place, despite its problems
Based on an interview with Louise Weissel and Lucy Newmarch-Christensen on 25th August 2024. Jeff Parsons was born in 1942, lived in Bradford on Avon from 1970 to 2002. He worked as a surveyor for the urban district council from 1964 to 1974. He describes Bradford on Avon as a ‘gentle’ place, with minimal traffic,ContinueContinue reading “BoA: a gentle place, despite its problems”
Lorries ‘ripped up’ St Laurence Road
Local resident Julie Sherman talks about issues arising from the old town tip, working at the rubber factory and passes on memories of unusual bounties at the tip Written by Gillian Livingstone and based on an interview with Julie Sherman, by Louise Weissel Julie Sherman was born on 1 July 1952 and moved to Bradford on Avon in 1971ContinueContinue reading “Lorries ‘ripped up’ St Laurence Road”
‘Disposal was surreptitious’ : A challenge for toxicity assessments
Records of a rubber factory worker indicate that drums of cyanide are buried beneath the old golf course Written by Jessica Holtaway and based on an interview with Martin Valentin, by Louise Weissel on 24th August 2024. Martin Valentin is an architect and local historian in Bradford on Avon. In this interview he discusses the historical dumpingContinueContinue reading “‘Disposal was surreptitious’ : A challenge for toxicity assessments”
The old golf course: a place to play
Written by Gillian Livingstone and based on an interview with Margaret York, by Louise Weissel on October 29th 2024 For Margaret York, the Old Dump was a favourite place to play. She was born in post-war Bradford on Avon, and has lived there all her life. She grew up in the early 1950s and recalls the freedomContinueContinue reading “The old golf course: a place to play”
“One lorry an hour” at the Old Town Tip
Written by Jessica Holtaway and based on an interview with Joan and Terry Allen, by Louise Weissel on September 2nd 2024. It was general knowledge that there was toxic waste in the Bradford on Avon town tip, explain Joan and Terry Allen. The Allens have lived in Bradford on Avon for over 60 years, JoanContinueContinue reading ““One lorry an hour” at the Old Town Tip”
The Right to be Safe, and Free
Written by May Chan Rhodes based on an interview with Judith Christensen by Jessica Holtaway, 20th July 2024 The Old Golf Course can be a blessing or a curse – depending on whether authorities are committed to keeping it safe, and free. This is the story of Judith Christensen, who enjoyed many a magical momentContinueContinue reading “The Right to be Safe, and Free”
“Nobody worried about it”: the unregulated waste disposal site in BoA
Written by Jessica Holtaway, based on an interview with Douglas Phillips conducted on August 30th 2024 98-year-old Douglas Phillips can still remember the acrid smell of burning chemicals rising from the old town tip, now known by locals as the ‘Old Golf Couse’. “The tip always used to be burning, 24/7” he recalls. “I’d neverContinueContinue reading ““Nobody worried about it”: the unregulated waste disposal site in BoA”
Anthrax, Ammunition and Cyanide – What’s under the Golf Course according to the Locals
By May Chan-Rhodes For many carefree afternoons and school holidays in the 60s, Julian Derrick and his friends would run around having adventures on the golf course – until they were told to stop when the tip was revealed to have all sorts of toxic refuse. ‘I can still remember the great sense of freedom…ContinueContinue reading “Anthrax, Ammunition and Cyanide – What’s under the Golf Course according to the Locals”
Last day to submit your responses!
We’re just giving a gentle nudge in favour of making your comments known for building proposals put forward by Wiltshire Council. These include the 3 sites: the Golf Course, and two parcels of land at Woolley. The deadline is marked as 9th March 2021, so be sure to fill out this form ASAP – PleaseContinueContinue reading “Last day to submit your responses!”
Save The Old Golf Course 