Bridgwater socialist historian Dave Chapple is giving another of his famous Bridgwater social history talks at the May meeting of the Civic Society this Wednesday, May 8th at 7.30pm at the Victoria Park Community Centre. Admission is £3 for non members. The talk is entitled ‘BRIDGWATER 1900-1910’.
Dave says “As well as significant events such as the unveiling of the Blake Statue by Lord Brassey in 1900, the great flood of 1904, the arrival of electric light in the town, proposals for a light railway to Nether Stowey, celebrations at the ‘Relief of Mafeking,’ I will cover the near riot of the ‘Kensitites’ outside St John’s Church, and, last but not least, the sensational Liberal General Election victory in January 1906, “
Dave continues “I’ll also be looking at shipping and shipwrecks, factories and shops, railways, buses, charabanc outings, trade union and friendly society meetings, crime and anti-police disorder, ‘demon-drink’ and temperance, Agapemone comings and goings, and the passive resistance of Bridgwater Non-conformists, including Councillors and Aldermen, against the Conservative Government’s Education Act. “
Dave Chapple is the Chair of the Bridgwater & District Civic Society.