Join us on a stroll through time
DOWNEND’S high street is the place to be in July, when we are putting on a fun event where you can travel through time!
Join Downend Community History and Arts Project (CHAP) on Sunday July 12, between 11am and 3pm, to meet and interact with characters from various eras of history, such as WG Grace, a suffragette, Romans, medieval peasants, people from the two world wars, Victorians, our local highwayman, and others.
The Promenade Through Time is a fun and entertaining way to learn about who lived in our area in centuries gone by, and to find out about their times and ways of living.
CHAP encourages everyone to turn up in costume, whether that’s from centuries gone by or more recently. For instance, were you a mod, a rocker, a hippy, goth or something else? Show off your previous look!
There will be plenty of opportunities for selfies with the characters and in our reproduction stocks, as well as hands-on activities and some intriguing surprises.
Local history maps and information about the characters depicted will be given out free in print and digital formats.
There will also be a food market on the day, so you can tuck into all sorts of tasty goodies.
CHAP has been awarded funding from South Gloucestershire Council’s Creative High Streets Fund for this event, which aims to bring creativity and vibrancy to local high streets.
The event is suitable for all ages, abilities and interests, and is free of charge. Everybody’s welcome!
CHAP needs volunteers and additional contributors to help out. Have you got a vintage vehicle you’d like to share on the day, are you a re-enactor, or can you help direct visitors for an hour or so?
Please contact CHAP Chair Janet Biggin at big.gin@yahoo.com.
CHAP is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation that aims to create a coherent identity for Downend and Emersons Green, built around interesting or significant places, people and events from the past.
You can find out more at CHAP’s website, www.downendchap.org, and can also contact us by writing to CHAP, 49 Overnhill Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 5DS.
Funding for Creative High Streets has come from the West of England Combined Authority’s Regional Recovery Fund.
Metro Mayor Helen Godwin said: “This regional funding is a great opportunity for communities to add even more character to their high streets and the ideas we have seen so far have been really inspiring.” Helen Rana