News / Brabazon
Brabazon development names streets in honour of aviation pioneers
A new housing development in north Bristol is naming six of its new streets after local pioneers of aviation who worked at the former Filton Airfield.
Brabazon, which is being built on top of where the airfield once was, has named the streets after people including Second World War heroes, trailblazing women and Concorde engineers.
Brabazon has planned for up to 6,500 new homes – image: YTL
Watt’s Drive is named for Brain Watts, who was a senior flight engineers for Concorde’s first commercial flight.
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There will also be Pedley Gardens at Brabazon, named for Elizabeth Pedley who was an electronics engineer on Concorde.
Brain Watts (Left) was instrumental for the Concorde’s maiden flight – photo: The Watts Family
Ada Smart, who helped make the wings of the aircraft during the Second World War, has had her name given to Smart Street.
George Yabsley, the band leader of the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC) brass band, has had Yabsley Terrace named in his honour.
George Yabsley (centre right) was the leader of the brass band when this photo was taken in 1940 – photo: Bristol Aerospace Museum
Ed Hawkins, who had worked on almost every major aircraft produced by BAC and Airbus for more than four decades, now has Hawkins Close named after him.
His son, Andy Hawkins, was even one of the first residents to move into the new Brabazon development.
Andy said: “My father Ed worked here for 43 years, alongside pretty much most of my family and neighbours.
“The fact that I now call this place home and there will be a street named after my father is really special and he would have absolutely loved it!”
The YTL Arena is due to be built in the former Brabazon hangars which give Brabazon its name – image: Brabazon
Sage Gardens was named after Phyllis Ellen Audrey Sage, who had worked for BAC’s print department in the 1940’s.
Her son,, David Sage, said: Brabazon is steeped in history. It was one of the biggest aircraft factories in the world. It was the birthplace of Concorde.
“Thousands of ordinary people came together to make that history happen. And during the Second World War my mother was one of them!
“It is such a thrill for our family to know that her contribution to her community is being recognised in this way.”
Phylis Audrey Ellen Sage worked in the print department of BAC and her son now lives in Brabazon – photo: Sage family
The hidden heroes were identified by an immersive community history project, led by local organisation the Natural Theatre Company, as well as from submissions to YTL Developments by local residents.
Main photo: Sage family
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