People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Maurice Fells
Maurice Fells is a Bristol-born and bred journalist and author who has worked in newspapers, radio and television.
He got his first reporting job in the late 1960s after staging a nightly sit-in for three months in the newsroom of the Western Daily Press and helping the staff.
Maurice has written more than a dozen books; all but one about Bristol. His latest book, Churches of Bristol, will be published by Amberley in July and tells the story of how many of our city’s churches were built.
is needed now More than ever
These are Maurice’s top-five Bristol favourites:
St Mary Redcliffe Church
The Lady Chapel at St Mary Redcliffe Church -photo: Chantal Meza
“One of my favourite buildings is St Mary Redcliffe Church. Until a couple of years ago, it was the tallest building in the city. However, that claim to fame now belongs to a nondescript looking block of flats on the edge of Castle Park. I can’t imagine an architect today building a church which could be called a masterpiece of architecture. I guess that today it would be all blocks of concrete and large panes of glass!”
Kennel Lodge Road Allotments
Kennel Lodge Road Allotments is next to Ashton Court’s deer park – photo: Martin Booth
“One of my favourite spots is this allotment site near Ashton Court. I often water the allotment for a couple of great friends when they are away and can’t help but be mesmerised by the view all around. Sometimes I’m accompanied by a robin who follows me around the allotment. Look in one direction and I can see deer on the Ashton Court estate. Then there are the seemingly endless acres of Ashton Court grassland and trees. Look in another direction and I see the Avon Gorge and the wonderful Georgian crescents of Clifton. I never get tired of these views.”
Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill is on the site of a 2,000-year-old Iron Age hillfort, the ramparts of which still exist – photo: Martin Booth
“Another favourite spot is Observatory Hill in Clifton. The views from here across Bristol to North Somerset can’t be beaten.”
Silver Street
The Bristol Evening Post’s ship logo can still be found outside their old newspaper offices and printing hall on Silver Street – photo: Martin Booth
“Whenever I go to Broadmead, I always take a detour down this narrow side street and recall my days in newspapers. This was where the Western Daily Press shared offices with the Bristol Evening Post. As I walk down Silver Street, I recall the days when dozens of delivery vans queued on both sides waiting to deliver the papers as they came off the press. The entrance I used to sneak into the Western Daily Press looking for a job is still there!”
Broadcasting House
BBC Bristol’s first four studios on Whiteladies Road were opened in 1934 with each studio designed for a different acoustic purpose: orchestral, drama, sound effects and talking – photo: Martin Booth
“You might say that I started my broadcasting career when I was 12 years old in a BBC studio on Whiteladies Road. I took part in a Children’s Hour national quiz one Saturday along with a girl of the same age from Stoke Bishop. The two of us won the quiz. I pass the studio every time I go down Whiteladies Road and it certainly brings back childhood memories.”
Main photo: Cerys Larsen
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
