1
Site of Demolished Works
This is the site of the former works of the Wheeler Reconstructed Stone Company which produces artificial stone from a mix of cement and crushed Bath stone.This is used in new build house projects as a cheap replacement for natural stone. They appear to have relocated to Marsh Lane, Temple Cloud but it is uncertain if they are still manufacturing. In this image it can be seen that on the remaining site there appears to be evidence of an old kiln , perhaps a lime kiln.
Image: © Nigel Mykura
Taken: 18 Sep 2011
0.01 miles
2
A crocus by the colliery
A shy but colourful Spring flower reaches out close to the old pit. Conygre Colliery works began in 1791, providing dangerous but vital employment for the villagers. The pits brought some rewards, but much went to the operators; there is a report of a strike in 1792 that achieved a pay rise for some 4,000 miners. The pits eventually closed in 1916, and the site later taken over by a firm producing crushed stone and cemented products in 1958. However, they too have gone, leaving the flowers to welcome passers-by to a fenced off demolition site.
Image: © Neil Owen
Taken: 9 Feb 2015
0.02 miles
3
Direction Sign ? Signpost by the B3115 in Timsbury
Lost finial - 3 arms; Somerset SCC pyramid by the B3115, in parish of Timsbury (Bath And North East Somerset District), on the northeast side of the crossroads of the B3115 Hayleswood Road, North Road, Bloomfield Road and The Avenue. Google Earth shows it moved to the northwest side of the crossroads by July 2019.
surveyed
Milestone Society National ID: SO_ST6658
Image: © E Prideaux
Taken: Unknown
0.04 miles
4
Big Blue Bus
This is Lottie, the familiar playbus that tours around the local community to offer safe play sessions to the children. Today Lottie is in Timsbury's Conygre Hall park.
The first bus was started by enthusiastic volunteers in 1985; a bequest by Dorothy Melhuish set up a fund to buy an old double decker in Bath. 'Bertha' began as a mobile clinic, but with further input by other organisations she also offered a coffee bar, advice and exhibition space. In 1991, the organisation separated and achieved charitable status. 'Bertha' became too frail and was replaced by 'Doris' in 1994 and sought funding from many different sources, including some television appearances. The group running the bus also changed again in 1999, renaming itself as the Community Bus and reflected the increased range it covered.
However, it became clear that more needed doing and hence a third bus was purchased in 2003; funded partly from the National Lottery, she is named 'Lottie'. The group reorganised once more in order to put itself in line for more help from the various financial possibilities. The original setup also went, dissolving the old unincorporated charity and transferring all assets and activities to a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
The Big Blue Bus is a double decker, fully converted as a mobile community centre, kitted out with a kitchen, toilet, 240V electricity, lighting, heating, carpeted seating area, sensory toys, library and messy play area. It primarily allows children of school age to play in a safe environment; it also allows parents a chance to brush up on vital skills too.
Image: © Neil Owen
Taken: 9 Feb 2015
0.06 miles
5
Conygre Hall
Timsbury was, for much of its latter history, a mining village. With the easing of legal restrictions in the 1920s to provide a means of help and assistance for miners, a plot of land was acquired as a recreation ground. Following concerted fund-raising, the hall was built and opened on 26th May, 1973. The Conygre Trust (in recognition of the old Conygre Colliery) was set up in 2005 to run the various indoor and outdoor facilities.
Image: © Neil Owen
Taken: 9 Feb 2015
0.07 miles
6
Timsbury Cricket Club
Attached to the Conygre Hall and suitably white. Timsbury are in the Bristol & District Cricket Association Senior Division for 2015 and run three teams.
One historical item worth mentioning was the club's innovative method of drying a wet wicket in 1983: former Somerset C.C.C. captain, Brian Rose, was due to appear in a testimonial match but the weather leading up to it was foul. Club chairman Eric Nott half-heartedly claimed they ought to get a helicopter to dry it out. Somehow the idea was taken seriously and thanks to sponsor involvement a helicopter arrived to hover above the batting strip!
Image: © Neil Owen
Taken: 9 Feb 2015
0.08 miles
7
Timsbury burials
The village has a number of churches but this burial ground is distinctly separate from them. The original plot was acquired around the turn of the century, close to the Conygre Colliery, and was about one third of the current size. The lychgate marks the entrance. See
Image] for another view.
Image: © Neil Owen
Taken: 9 Feb 2015
0.10 miles
8
A landscape whilst waiting
A bus shelter, complete with a pleasing landscape.
Image: © Neil Owen
Taken: 9 Feb 2015
0.11 miles
9
Timsbury's fallen
The small but well-tended memorial in the grounds of the British Legion recounts those who were lost in war. Interestingly enough, there are more names in the Great War than the later.
Image: © Neil Owen
Taken: 9 Feb 2015
0.11 miles
10
Somerset Folly
Somerset Folly is a twisting residential street consisting mainly of rather boring grey bungalows. It runs west from The Avenue to St Mary's Close.
Image: © Nigel Mykura
Taken: 18 Sep 2011
0.11 miles