More Blood and Butchery for Bedminster

February 2020 sees the return, for a third year, of Blood and Butchery in Bedminster, Show of Strength’s thrilling theatrical pub walk around BS3’s darkest historical locations.

A partnership with Bedminster Business Improvement District (BID), Blood and Butchery in Bedminster brings together some of Bedminster’s most thrilling and unbelievable tales to create a pub tour with a difference.

From February right through to December 15, 2020, the tour returns for the third year, once again delving deep into the area’s gruesome history – and, in particular, into how Bedminster’s pubs play a key role in these stories, including tales of body snatchers, concrete coffins, hangings judges and the most notorious heist in living memory.

Setting off every Tuesday evening from The Rope Walk pub on Bedminster Parade, and lasting around two and a half hours, Blood and Butchery in Bedminster explores tales of murder, mystery, betrayal and bullion, visiting pubs and landmarks along the way.

Show of Strength founder Sheila Hannon leads the walking tour around Bedminster’s dark past (and several of its historic boozers). Pic: Zuleika Henry

Featuring tales of body snatchers, concrete coffins, hanging judges and the most notorious heist in living memory, the tour started out back in January 2018, and has proved such a success that it was extended three times and ran throughout 2019, regularly selling out.

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The walk begins at The Rope Walk at 7pm every Tuesday, with food and drink available before the start. It then passes three more memorable old hostelries before finishing near the end of North Street.

Pic: Claire Greville

The macabre tales explored along the route include that of John Horwood, the first person to hang at Bristol’s New Gaol (where Wapping Wharf now stands), and why it took 190 years for his body to be buried. Sentenced to hang in 1821, Horwood met a uniquely macabre end. Elsewhere, a forgotten Victorian murder, the fate of Princess Caraboo and the mysterious disappearance of Mr Lomas are all explored, as well as Bedminster’s extraordinary role in Britain’s biggest bullion robbery.

Hand from the skeleton of John Horwood, the first person to hang at the New Gaol

Founded in 1986 to commission and produce new and engaging work across Bristol and the south-west, Show of Strength has produced new work by writers including Peter Nichols, Mark Ravenhill, Sandi Toksvig and Catherine Johnson. In 1998 the company created the theatre at the Tobacco Factory, producing seasons of new work there until 2003.

As Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength’s founder, observes, “Bedminster’s older than Bristol, and teems with strange tales and half forgotten stories.  Many are associated with buildings and locations that still exist today. The show is the result of years of living in the area, researching local characters and long forgotten secrets.”

Blood and Butchery… is one of several theatre walks around Bristol and Bath produced by Show of Strength.  All are available for private tours, and there’s a new one scheduled to launch in May. Check the company website for details.

Blood and Butchery in Bedminster continues on Tuesday evenings until Dec 15, 2020. Meet at The Rope Walk pub, 7pm. For details and tickets, visit stagestubs.com/show-of-strength-theatre-company/blood-and-butchery-in-bedminster-1 and showofstrength.org.uk or follow Show of Strength on Facebook and Twitter @showofstrength

Top pic: Colin Moody

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