Voices of the Slum Dwellers
Our new project for 2021
About the New Project
Building on the success of the Voices of the Past project in 2020, it has been decided that the next project should focus on telling the story of Barton Hill during the 1950’s and 1960’s, when the place and the people were torn apart by the so called slum clearance.
It is absolutely essential that we tell their story before it is too late. The aim is that in 2021 funding will be secured to record, produce and present a new and exciting way of telling this essential part of Bristol’s history in the Voices of the Slum Dwellers.
“Why do we want so much space?”
“Where are you going to send us?“
“Shall we be able to come back later if we want to?“
Quotes from Barton Hill people in the 1950s
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
In 1962 Hilda Jennings, a former warden of the University Settlement, wrote Societies in the Making. This brilliant book told the story of slum clearance through the words of Barton Hill people.
The twenty-year redevelopment plan for Bristol was produced in 1952. The drive for high rise living came from the political leaders of the city. At first there was general confusion, anxiety and ignorance about the exact areas to be redeveloped and the timing of removals. When knowledge of the plans for Barton Hill filtered through, the chairman of the planning committee set up exhibitions at The University Settlement. Meetings were noisy and sometime heated. At first Bartonians did not see eye to eye with the Local Authority. Some members of the audience when examining the plans asked:
In spite of some local opposition a compulsory purchase of the whole area was adopted.
60 years on, the children of that community are now the last living evidence and their voices need to be heard.
“As I grew up much time was spent wandering around the ever increasing acres of dereliction as street after street was demolished. Sometimes we would go into the empty houses and have a look round and see what we could find or make dens in old air-raid shelters that has survived the initial demolition. Life started to get a little lonely as friends moved away as streets were cleared.“
Ray Jones describing life as a boy growing up on Barton Hill in the 1960’s. (2020)
We need to hear from you
During 2020 you have all shared with us some amazing memories on our BHHG Facebook page, describing life on Barton Hill during the 1960’s and 1970’s. However we need plenty more memories!
We’ll announce very soon when we’re open for submissions. We’ll be looking to bring your voices and your memories to our next show.
When we open for submissions of voice and video recordings, we will be looking for three broad areas of content.
Life on Barton Hill before the demolition period.
Life on Barton Hill during the demolition period.
Life on Barton Hill after the construction of the flats and new housing.
You can also find some prompts and questions at the bottom of this page. We’ll be opening for submissions soon - get in touch to find out more.
“We’re not a slum, we’re respectable and so is Barton Hill”
Comment from a Barton Hill resident after finding about the redevelopment plans in the 1950’s