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This is a joint meeting with the Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society

Two short talks:

UPDATE on Brunel’s Swivel Bridge (AKA BOB- Brunel’s Other Bridge)
Speaker – Geoff Wallis
In 2022, The Newcomen Society’s published volume 92 of ” The International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology” which was an edition focusing on this bridge regarding its history, technical significance and the work that was being undertaken to preserve it. BIAS Newsletters have have also contained updates and information on progress on this important project. This talk will pull together recent developments and the latest regarding works undertaken and the options for preservation.

The Severn Tunnel’s Other Pumping Station
Speaker – David Hardwick
The Severn Rail Tunnel and the pumping engines at Sudbrook have been the subject of various articles, talks and publications. As well as a general overview, this talk considers the lesser known pumping station on the opposite bank of the river. Very little has been written about this. The speaker recently obtained a number of historic images and this talk is intended as a discussion starter regarding what else might be available.

About the Speakers

David Hardwick is a Chartered Building Surveyor with over 35 years’ experience, mostly relating to historic properties. His Master’s degree, in Historical Archaeology of the Modern World from Bristol University, reflects his passion for industrial heritage. He is a founder member of the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group and a member of several other mining and industrial heritage organisations, including the Newcomen Society for which he is currently both a trustee and the Western Region Chairman. David runs his own design and surveying consultancy, specialising in building recording and analysis, with an emphasis on historic buildings. He also provides trainings and lectures both locally and nationally at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels on heritage topics as well as building defects and construction technology, both modern and historic. He is currently actively researching early engine house construction and the Celestine mining industry.

Geoff Wallis is one of the founders and past managing directors of Dorothea Restoration Engineers Ltd, the UK’s foremost conservators of architectural & structural metalwork, traditional mills and historic machinery. He is a Past President of the Newcomen Society and the Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society, Course Leader of the Architectural & Structural Metalwork Conservation course at West Dean College, and Council member of the National Heritage Ironwork Group, The Avon Industrial Buildings Trust and the Museum of Bath at Work. Geoff has contributed to a number of books on practical conservation, and lectures widely on the subject.