‘North Bristol’s not as real, all the posh people live in North Bristol, all the Bristolians live in South Bristol,’ said comedian and actress Jayde Adams in an interview on her returning ‘home’ last year.
It’s a feeling shared by many living south of the river who are vehemently proud of their south Bristol roots. And it’s why Jayde, who once worked at Bedminster’s Asda, is also such inspiration for people, perhaps, facing a more challenging upbringing than their northern city counterparts.
South Bristol is home to Europe’s largest street art festival, it has rich history in the towering Maes Knoll Iron Age hill fort and it has strength in community seen in organisations like the Square Food Foundation.
It also has a wealth of talent and personalities seen below. Have we missed anyone? Email us at [email protected]
South Bristol is home to Europe’s largest street art festival, it has rich history in the towering Maes Knoll Iron Age hill fort and it has strength in community seen in organisations like the Square Food Foundation.
5. Bill Bailey - Keynsham
The Black Books comedian Bill Bailey lived at the bottom of Wellsway in Keynsham. The home was also used as a doctor’s surgery by his father, who was, and was a medical practitioner. He went on to study at King Edward’s School in Bath and his career began when he formed a double act with a fellow former pupil at King Edward’s. He’s since found fame with Black Books, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and his international tours.
6. Tricky - Knowle West
Tricky - aka Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws - was raised in Knowle West, a place where he became involved in crime before vowing to never to go back to prison aged 17. He went on to become a pioneer in the trip hop music scene and has worked with many starring artists such as PJ Harvey and Grace Jones. Four years ago, he released an autobiography which charted his unlikely rise from Knowle West to being one of British music’s most creative visionaries.
7. Marcus Stewart - Hartcliffe
Being a Bristol Rovers legend, many people might not know that Marcus Stewart actually came from the south side of the river, and was a Bristol City fan growing up. That didn’t stop him signing for Bristol Roves, where he scored 57 goals before moves to Huddersfield Town and Ipswich. He later returned in his career to play for Bristol City, and would become assistant manager at Rovers in 2012. Last year, he was sadly diagnosed with motor neurone disease - but has used his fame to raise awareness of the condition.
8. Acker Bilk - Pensford
British clarinettist Acker Bilk was born in Pensford, just south of Bristol on the Wells Road. He got his nickname from the Somerset slang ‘friend’. On leaving school he went to work at a cigarette factory in Bristol before National Service took him to the Suez Canal where he learned the clarinet from a friend. He went on to become a star in the music scene. Here he is playing to a crowd of students at Bristol University in 1962. He passed away in 2014. A memorial bench stands in his name in Pensford today.
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