Mike Jay, author of  The Atmosphere of Heaven has had a plaque made to mark the grave of Thomas Beddoes in the Strangers’ Burial Ground in Hotwells, Bristol. While writing the book, which tells the story of Dr Beddoes and his work at the Pneumatic Institution in Bristol, Mike managed to identify the grave and clear it of undergrowth.   However, the engraving on the grave is now barley visible due to weathering and during the history walk in September it was suggested that a plaque should be made so that the grave would not be lost again.

Mike has obtained permission to fix the plaque to the wall behind the grave and suggests that we have a small fixing ceremony during the spring.

Meanwhile, Mike’s latest book High Society – Mind-Altering Drugs in History and Culture has just come out in hardback.

The memorial to the four Bristol volunteers who joined the International Brigades to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War in Castle Park is to be surrounded by a vivid mosiac border in Republican colours and will be unveiled at 12 noon on 14th April – the anniversary of the day the Republic was declared in 1931.

BRISTOL BRIGADERS

William G. Boyce Jan. 20th 1938 Teruel

William J. Burton Feb. 1937 Jarama

Leslie Huson May 1938 Pneumonia, died in hospital.

Terence Edward Stephens July 1938 Died in hospital from blood poisoning.

A gallery of photographs by Andrew Swift taken at The Seven Stars plaque unveiling has been added to the archive.

A longer version of The Seven Stars Plaque unveiling video has been added to the archive.

Audio from the Hillsborough: What Really Happened has also been added to the archive.

The Thomas Clarkson Plaque was unveiled on the Seven Stars pub yesterday in front of a crowed of about 70 people. After a few short speeches Richard Hart cut the string and the curtains fell away to reveal the plaque in all its glory.

There is a small story about the plaque on the BBC website and one on thisisbristol.

Richard Hart unveiling the plaque.

The Thomas Clarkson plaque on the Seven Stars pub in Thomas Lane, Redcliffe, Bristol.

Artist Mike Baker points out some of the finer details of his Thomas Clarkson plaque.