Features / things you probably didn't know
The recent resurgence of the Bristol scroll
The Bristol scroll is more than a century old. It was almost lost to history but has in recent years become an unofficial symbol of our city.
A large Bristol scroll is now on a banner on the side of the Three Lions pub in Bedminster and when the campaign to save Yew Tree Farm were looking for a design for a new t-shirt, there was only one option: the Bristol scroll.
Yew Tree Farm campaigner Danica Priest sporting a t-shirt featuring the Bristol scroll – photo: Rob Browne
Here is a look at the scroll’s history and recent resurgence:
is needed now More than ever
1. The first known use of the Bristol scroll was on the cover of a publicity booklet produced by the British & Colonial Aeroplane Company in October 1910.
2. The designer of the Bristol scroll remains unknown but it could have been company founder Sir George White or his brother-in-law and leading printer of the time, Edward Everard.
The typeface of Edward Everard’s printworks on Broad Street could have been an influence for the design of the Bristol scroll – photo: Barbara Evripidou
3. The design was likely influenced by Spencerian Script, a typeface developed from handwriting which was incorporated into the Ford and Coca-Cola trademarks of the period.
4. From 1913, Bristol Tramways passenger and goods vehicles had metal Bristol scrolls attached across their radiator grills; with aeroplanes soon also featuring the scroll as aircraft production increased.
A Bristol scroll on the side of the Lodekka bus in the M Shed which was built in 1966 and operational until 1983 – photo: Martin Booth
From the mid 1960s, the scroll was added to request and compulsory bus stops across the city – photo: Martin Booth
5. Two large Bristol scrolls looked over the ‘tramways centre’ (now known just as the centre), including one underneath the surviving clock on the side of the headquarters of the Bristol Tramways & Carriage Company, later Bristol Bus & Coach Services.
6. The largest ever Bristol scroll – some 20ft in height – is believed to be one which was painted on the West Works of the Bristol Aeroplane Company in Filton, where its flying school was located.
The largest ever Bristol scroll seen in 1939 – photo: Bristol Aeroplane Company
Smiles brewery was one of the first businesses to resurrect the scroll from the 1970s after it had disappeared from buses – photo: Smiles
Stokes Croft China uses the Bristol scroll on a number of their designs – photo: Rob Browne
With huge thanks to Martin Curtis whose book, The Bristol Scroll, was published by Millstream Books in 2011
Main photo: Martin Booth
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2024 Bristol24/7 magazine
Explore some of the hidden corners of the Old City and Castle Park on a walking tour with Bristol24/7 Editor, Martin Booth. For more information and to book, visit www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
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