• Yard Fest 2019

    Underfall Yard Work Experience student Renée Weber has been finding out about Yard Fest which coincides with Harbour Festival 2019. The Harbour Festival is taking place this year from Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July. It celebrates the city’s maritime heritage and the importance of Bristol's docks and harbour. Visitors can enjoy: food, dance, music, live circus acts, handmade crafts, henna tattoos, games and so much more. Immerse yourself in the lively and remarkable city of Bristol and come together with 250,000 others from all around the world to enjoy this amazing celebration of culture and heritage! Bristol harbour is over 200 [...]

  • Poly Roger sets sail

    Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Izzie Compton explores the work of a very special boat A crowd gathered outside the Underfall Yard Visitor Centre on 21st May to celebrate the arrival in Bristol of the ‘Poly-Roger’. The punt, made from 99% recycled plastic, is one of three touring the UK in an effort to bring the problem of plastic pollution closer to those in cities. In light of the climate crisis, uniting communities in the fight against pollution is essential in inner cities. The Poly Roger at Underfall Yard Created by Hubbub, an environmental charity, the punts are part [...]

  • Business round-up

    2018 was a busy year for the many businesses that call Underfall Yard home, and they have big plans for the future. Text by Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Izzie Compton. Omni Productions Omni at the Yard. Omni productions continue to inspire, unite and educate people through video. In 2018, Omni collaborated with All-Aboard Watersports to produce a pro-bono video promoting the ‘School Inclusive Games’ held annually in the Harbour. The video shows the joyous faces of the young participants, capturing the essence of the games. Watch the video here. Further driving positive change through moving image, Omni [...]

  • The Montagu Whaler

    In May 2019 the Underfall Yard will host a special poetry and drama event featuring Swan, a former Royal Navy training boat called a Montagu Whaler.  Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Izzie Compton investigates. A boat rich in heritage and close to the hearts of many, the Montagu Whaler is an enduring emblem of the Navy and its triumphs. Designed in the 1880s by Admiral Montagu for use in the Royal Navy, its design allowed for added stability and a capacity of 27, making it an excellent training and rescue boat in its heyday. A Whaler in service with [...]

  • Harbour Update and information

    In November Underfall Yard Volunteers and staff were updated by Bristol City Council’s Docks Engineer Ian Johnson on his plans for the Harbour in 2019 and beyond. Following Ian’s talk, volunteers were invited to ask questions about water management in the Harbour. During a wide-ranging and fascinating session many interesting points were highlighted. Docks Engineer Ian Johnson addresses Underfall Yard volunteers. Plans for 2019 Since it was last dredged in 2015 the Harbour has acquired 62,000 cubic metres of silt which has created some shallow areas. Water injection dredging will be used to clear the silt. This [...]

  • Not only jobs for the boys

    Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Natalie Smith investigates the jobs done by women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated environment.  It began with a photograph in the Visitor Centre at the Underfall Yard. Captain Short beams into the camera, clutching his retirement gift of a radio. Surrounding him are a group of 16 men and just three women.  I started thinking about Harbour-based job opportunities available to women in the past and what has changed. After research at Bristol Archives and the Central Library, I found the name of a woman who helped shed some light on my question. [...]

  • Light-waves and beer cans at Underfall Yard

    Underfall Yard Volunteer Writer Isabelle Compton caught up with Justin Quinnell to discuss his recent exhibition. Pinhole photographer and teacher, Justin Quinnell, combines art and science to produce stunning, and sometimes funny photos using pinhole cameras. The essence of his works is unpredictability and exploring the realms of the ‘what if...’ An exhibition of continuous exposures depicting views of the North Atlantic from the masts of sailing ships - the Light-waves project - was displayed at The Underfall Yard in late October. Justin's images range from one week to seven-month exposures and are incredible demonstrations of how to turn a piece [...]