IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Chestnut Court, BRISTOL, BS16 9JZ

St. James Church is to the right. "The former rural parish of Mangotsfield in south Gloucestershire, was anciently within Kingswood Chase, and originally comprised of what are now the north-east Bristol suburbs of Blackhorse, Bromley Heath, Downend, Emerson’s Green, Mangotsfield, Staple Hill, the eastern part of Oldbury Court and the upper part of Soundwell, and the two remaining rural hamlets of Bury Hill and Moorend. The whole parish, except the Oldbury Court part, remains outside the Bristol city boundary, and has some traces of its rural past. The history of Mangotsfield stretches back to the Domesday Book of 1086 and almost certainly beyond. The name probably derives from Mangod’s Feld, Mangod being a Saxon word and Feld meaning a stretch of open country, in other words, Mangod’s stretch of open country. Mangotsfield village answers to most people’s idea of a “typical” English village, a nucleated settlement growing up around a medieval church with a manor house next door." By Andrew Plaster Published in B&AFHS Journal 125 September 2006

A rarity these days - a public convenience, and an open one at that!

A relatively new pub on the historic part of Mangotsfield.

For many years this door was covered by other masonry, which was removed in 1851. This revealed two figures in niches that have benefited from the protection. They are good examples of early English style and represent the Blount coat of arms. On the door is a notice referring to the latest Covid-19 approach.

The church dates back to the thirteenth century. The clock and a peal of bells were presented to the church in 1687. These bells were recast in 1921, and were affectionately known as the “Mangotsfield Buckets”. The present appearance is down to the major renovation of 1851.

A cold but crisp day and the thirteenth century St James stands out.

The stumps of the iron railings remain in the walls of St James church. Presumably they were cut down and sent off for the war effort. Although some historians have cast doubt about the amount of railings, pots and pans that people donated to the factories, it seems reasonable to suggest that the church iron may have become a tank or battleship.

A view from the graveyard and out to St James Place. Until modern times this was a triangular green that held the war memorial. It is now lined with shops and restaurants.

The Red Lion in Mangotsfield has taken up the challenge of arousing national support in the (delayed) Euro football championships. At this point in time, England had finished top of the group and were headed for a showdown with Germany at Wembley in the first knock-out round.