Skip to main content

Some of our online payments including garden waste and licensing will be unavailable from 2pm Thursday 28 March until midday Tuesday 2 April due to essential maintenance.

Discover your local heritage

This news article was published more than a year ago. Some of the information may no longer be accurate.

Published: 05/10/2012


On Sunday 7 October, celebrate Orchard Harvest Day at the beautiful 14th century Winterbourne Barn, where visitors can watch apples being crushed on a horse-drawn 19th century stone mill before being made into cider on a 200 year-old press. With entertainment, displays and local food on offer, it promises to be a great family day out.

If you fancy something truly unusual, why not try your hand at church bell ringing. St Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Winterbourne is opening its tower on Sunday 7 October from 12 noon to 3pm and St Mary the Virgin Church in Almondsbury has an open tower evening on Monday 8 October from 7.30 to 9pm.

On Wednesday 10 October at 7pm, Emersons Green Library hosts three short talks introducing the fascinating history of the area. Archaeologists who investigated the Science Park site will talk about their exciting discoveries there, notably an unusual find of Iron Age ovens.

The Downend Local History Society will uncover the secrets behind the street names in modern day Emersons Green, many of which are based on the farms and people who lived there in the Middle Ages, and explore how the Industrial Revolution affected the area including the growth of coal mining.

Finally, if you want to find out about your own heritage, you can book a one-to-one session at Hanham Library on Tuesday 9 October or Staple Hill Library on Friday 12 October to research your family history.

The Discover Festival offers a unique opportunity for residents to find out what makes South Gloucestershire a great place to live and work. Bringing together many successful celebrations in the district, the programme has something for all ages and tastes – including events, talks, walks and workshops celebrating local heritage, local food, local nature, local arts and also special events for people aged 50+.

To find out more or to book a place for an event, pick up a brochure from your local library or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/discover


Is there anything wrong with this page?