Bristol Trivia

On a recent cold and rainy Sunday afternoon, we decided to visit 'M Shed', Bristol's museum located on Prince's Wharf beside the Floating Harbour. It was the start of half-term and very busy, but, the displays were well done and interesting. One of the displays indicated that Bristol was the home of the world's first mass-produced chocolate bar.

In 1847, Joseph Fry discovered a way to mix the ingredients of cocoa powder, sugar and cocoa to manufacture a paste that could then be molded into a bar suitable for mass production. In 1866, in Union Street, Bristol, Fry's started producing Fry's 'Chocolate Cream'. It was followed, in 1914, by Fry's 'Turkish Delight' and then in 1929, by Fry's 'Crunchie' bar. All three are still made and enjoyed today.

This link to a Bristol 'first' was intriguing and got me thinking about other Bristolian references in the lexicon. Here are a few that immediately came to mind.


Harvey's Bristol Cream
John Harvey & Sons was a wine and sherry blending business started by John Harvey in Bristol in 1796. In the 1860's the business blended the first dessert sherry and dubbed it 'Bristol Milk' which was later changed to 'Bristol Cream'. The formula has changed little since then.

For more interesting detail on sherry in general and how Bristol 'milk' became Bristol 'cream' read more at https://www.sherrynotes.com/2016/reviews/cream-sherry/harveys-bristol-cream/ (that blog entry is also the source for the two  Harvey photos shown here).

Bristol Blue Glass
Bristol Blue Glass was made in Bristol in the late eighteenth century and was very popular. At one point there were seventeen glass houses in the city. It fell out of favour and production ended in the 1920's. In 1988, the tradition was resurrected by Original Bristol Blue Glass Ltd. They sell their products online. You can also visit their studio/retail shop to watch them hand-blowing the glass in the traditional manner and even try your own hand at it. Since the 1990's Harvey's Bristol Cream has been sold in bottles made of Bristol blue. It's very lovely, but, unfortunately when you live like nomads as we do there's no room to accumulate 'stuff' no matter how lovely it is, so, we just look, admire, but cannot buy.

Bristol Condition
When purchasing a boat, it is always advisable to get a yacht survey. The surveyor usually rates the boat as to general overall condition on a scale from "Restorable" to "Bristol" which is a vessel maintained in mint or Bristol fashion i.e. usually better than factory new and loaded with extras. Not many boats get this rating!

Here are the categories:

“Excellent (Bristol) Condition” is a vessel that is maintained in mint or Bristol fashion – usually better than factory new - loaded with extras – a rarity

“Above Average Condition” has had above average care and is equipped with extra electrical and electronic gear.

“Average Condition” is ready for sale requiring no additional work and normally equipped for her size.

“Fair Condition” requires usual maintenance to prepare for sale.

“Poor Condition” substantial yard work is required and devoid of extras.

“Restorable Condition” enough of the hull and engine exists to restore the boat to useable condition.


Shipshape and Bristol Fashion
A boat with a general overall rating of 'Bristol' means it has been maintained in Bristol 'fashion' and is shipshape. It is thought that this term has a historical meaning that goes back to Bristol's early days as a port. Prior to 1809,  when the 'Floating Harbour' was opened (locks were added to a tidal stretch of the River Avon and a tidal bypass created to hold the water at a constant level regardless of the tide) cargo ships would get dried out on the mud banks at low tide. Many would be left leaning at precarious angles. If the cargo was not stowed away tidily or tied down i.e. 'shipshape and Bristol fashion' the cargo could shift and get damaged making it difficult to unload.


Other Bristol factoids
Long term residents of Bristol are known as 'Bristolians'.

There are a number of Canadian connections to Bristol:

Fishermen from Bristol, who had fished the Grand Banks of Newfoundland since the 15th century, began settling Newfoundland permanently in larger numbers during the 17th century, establishing colonies at Bristol's Hope and Cuper's Cove.

John Cabot departed from Bristol on his 1497 voyage to North America in the 'Matthew'.  The voyage was funded by the 'Bristol Society of Merchant Venturers'. There is a replica of the 'Matthew' in the harbour today with dedicated volunteers showing it to visitors.

In 1897, to celebrate the four hundred year anniversary of Cabot's voyage, a landmark tower was built. Cabot Tower is open to the public and you can climb to the top for a wonderful view over the city.