Barton Hill During The Demolition Phase
“We’re not a slum: we're respectable and so is Barton Hill.“
The planned changes were quick. The old cotton works area would be cleared in the summer of 1953 and rebuilding would start in the autumn. These were the oldest houses in Barton Hill, built between 1838 and 1860. The streets to be cleared were Barton Street, Bush Street, Aiken Street, Great Western Lane, Factory Street, Manchester Street and Phoenix Street.
The feeling of resentment worsened when many found out that no use was made of the clearance sites for years.
“It’s like a grave yard “ and “A bomb site isn’t it.“
When boards were put on a house, a group of neighbours asked the council to take the boards down. This request was accepted, curtains were put up and some temporary improvements took place.
Barton Hill During Demolition Phase has a collection of images and memories.
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South side of Glendare Street still standing. Bush street, Aiken Street and Barton Street all demolished. Old cotton works in background. Circa 1955. "I lived in 18 Aiken Street,. The council offered my father a house in Hartcliffe, but he refused it. He had gone out to Hartcliffe to see what it was like. He found no bus that went the whole way there, no doctors, and no schools nearby, so that was no good for him. We were eventually moved out to Vassall Road Fishponds, but mum really missed her neighbor's and friends and 1960 saw us back in St. George" Carole Yoxall.
Photo taken in 1959. Footprint of the proposed Phoenix House and Ecclestone House on the site of the old terraced streets of Factory Street and Phoenix Street. In the background can seen the Barton Hill baths and St Luke's Church. In the foreground is the Lord Nelson pub. See link for more information on the Know Your Place website
St Luke's Church and Avonvale Road terraced houses. Circa 1959
Barton House on the way up. 1958. " I remember the flats being built, probably late fifties early sixties, I use too go to the top to have a look around Barton Hill ,never got caught " Vendel Segesdy
Bush Street at the beginning of demolition. Circa 1955
Bush Street. Circa 1955. Residue of Netham Chemical works in the background on the edge of Marsh Lane. After hearing about the development plans in 1953 Bartonians made the following comments: “Where are you going to send us? “ “They’ll never do it. They can’t pull Barton Hill down. “ “I can’t leave my parish.” “My dear, I’m thrilled to think that after nearly fifty years, I shall have an up-to-date house. There won’t be nearly as much work to and I shall able to dress up like a lady. “ “Shall we be able to come back later if we want to? “
End of Barton Hill Road and beginning of Ducie Road. Railway line in the background. "Two of these four blocks were built more or less opposite to where I lived at 93 Barton Hill Road no more than 75 - 100 meters from our front door. Saw them go up by the day - think the builders were Laings. There was a green between the two blocks but kids were discouraged from playing on it for some reason, well at least to start with. A few years later they knocked down Barton Hill Road and Weston Street the houses there could easily have been saved. " Ray Jones (2020)
The last fragment of Barton Street. The building in the background is part of the old cotton works, which still stands today.
Corbett Street with Avonvale School to the left and Barton House in the background.
Digby Street taken by Stephen Dowle. Lovely large houses that should have been kept.
Weston Street. This building would have been classed as unfit for human habitation. Classed as pink! A Compulsory Purchase Order would have been implemented. Notice the drain pipe coming out of the bedroom window!
Richmond Street and a pub, possibly the Richmond Arms.
Barton Hill Road and start of Ducie Road. “A surveyor from the council would view your house and a compensation offer was made based on size of house and state of repair. So, you had the strange situation of people doing up their houses a little knowing they would be demolished. I think we got £750 for our 3 bed house on Barton Hill Road but that was above average but still not enough to buy a house in nearby districts so many owner occupiers took up the offer of being re-homed in council property.” Ray Jones (2020)
Days Road in 1980.
A Bristol City Councillor at a meeting in the University Settlement in 1953 repeated the same mantra, if you not happy then contact the town clerk . Barton Hill people at the meeting audience chanted back in a mixture of anger and laughter. “Write to the town clerk. “ “Write to the town clerk. “ “Write to the town clerk. “