Ministry of Funny Walks

Why Don’t We Do It In The Road? — love, sex and violence on the streets of Bedminster

Sinéad Nua posts are like a rural bus service, you wait for ages for one and then two come along at once!  I've been rather busy storing nuts for the winter but did manage to venture out one Sunday afternoon for a rather entertaining presentation of the history of Bedminster.  Why don't we do it in the road? is a weekly event run throughout Summer* by the Show Of Strength Theatre Company.  For a humble £6 (it's the large glass of pinot you'd have had with your sunday roast) this theatrical walk of North Street unveils tales of the most eccentric folk who graced the area over the last few centuries.  Apparently every word is true but I'll leave that up to you to decipher!

We started at the Aldi carpark and I wondered to myself, "What in the name of Caraboo is this location relevant to?"  I pondered whether I was being drafted into a cult however the cheery bunting displayed in the centre of the car park put me at ease.  So I handed over my money and the guides/performers introduced themselves and the tour, emphasising with great pride that this 'ere walk were about Bemmy folk and not those posh Cliftonites...gulp, with a BS8 postcode I started to get nervous, especially when we were encouraged to wave our arms in the air when the word 'Clifton' was mentioned...stay cool, it's all in jest, they'll never know...

We made our way to the Tobacco Factory where we were greeted by the first of many characters who were to enthrall us with their peculiar life stories.  We learned about the workers of Wills Tobacco, the local barber who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel & Britain's biggest gold robbery.  All of these were played by the two guides, subtly changing costume along the way.  The walk was highly entertaining and this approach to educating history is one I would wholeheartedly encourage in schools.  I'd have learned a helluva lot more if I had been taught this way!  However, the afternoon contained my most surreal experience to date - singing happy birthday to a pie shop...bonkers. 

*The last performance of 2011 is September 25th - go, go go!

http://showofstrength.org.uk/productions/wdwdiitr-2011 
Images: Sinéad Millea

Wow! Gorillas!

Bristol Active Gorilla Hunt

My search for new experiences can sometimes take a wayward turn.  I was recently asked to join a gorilla hunt.  I was aghast I assure you (please read on PETA)!  The invite came through from the Bristol Active social group and referred to the lifesize statues that featured throughout Bristol this summer.  Ah, what a relief, no giant gorilla tranquilisers required! 

The statues were commissioned to mark the 175th anniversary of Bristol Zoo Gardens, all 61 were dotted throughout Bristol and beyond, each one decorated by it's own assigned artist.

I met the group at a pub in the centre where we introduced ourselves over a pint before breaking off into separate teams.  The hunt involved a mission to find as many of the blighters as we could in 90 minutes.  Off we went armed with a quiz full of 30 questions relevant to each gorilla within a couple of miles of the city - just to prove we did see them and not just stayed in the pub googling images!  The hunt took us on a circular route through Bristol city.  While meandering through the streets picking out our favourites we got to know one another a little.

The group is made of a mixed bunch of over 30s, all joined in their common appreciation for socialising.  I learned that they put a great deal of organisation into their get togethers, for example the Royal Wedding celebrations took them on a crawl to each royal themed pub!  They also get involved with sporty things, cinema and country walks, so a bit of something for everyone. 

Anyway back to the gorillas, our hunt ended with a prize-giving and celebratory beer at a city centre pub.  Incidentally, my favourites were the pirate one dominating King Street and the intricately painted fella in Millenium Square which was packed full of historical and (literally) colourful facts.  It was a fab little evening walk through the city.  Sadly the gorillas have been moved and, as I write this, are preparing themselves for auction but you can see them one last time altogether at Bristol Zoo Gardens - check the link below for more info!

http://www.bristolactive.org.uk/

http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/wow-gorillas

Images: Sinéad Millea