Gallery

Gallery 2016

send your photos to nailseapeople@gmail.com

Nailsea Community Christmas Fair

December 2016 more photos on own page click HERE

Christmas in Nailsea

December 2016

Coates House opens

formerly Queen's Head

November 2016

SLIDE SHOW: Finally after months of anticipation Coates House opens. After missing the preview night on Tuesday for family and friends we strolled down on Wednesday and guess what in the bar were all the usual suspects. The beer, wine and tapas were superb and the company fantastic. The ambience is lovely although we have to admit we enjoyed many a great night at the Queens Head! Planned are jazz evenings and quiz nights. Call 0792 926 2560 for more details of email info@coateshouse.co.uk. We will review the food at a later stage unless you would like to do one? Email to nailseapeople@gmail.com - thanks Carol Deacon

Remembrance in Nailsea

November 2016

From Queens Head to Coates House in pictures

more than 100 photos tracking redevelopement at site

read history of pub on this site by clicking HERE

Queens Head Last orders	Queens Head Co-owners James and Simon the new boys at Queens Head	Queens Head Outside sign comes down and warning CCTV notice goes up
Queens Head Starting work inside	Queens Head A warm welcome soon	Queens Head What have we found here?
Queens Head What have we found here?	Queens Head Architect drawings for conversion to Coates House - see history of pub by going to page below	Queens Head Construction site office
Queens Head Sample menu from another cafe restaurant which is part of the small chain - Tewkesbury and Thornbury establishments	Queens Head North Somerset Times feature the story and acknowledge social media FB page Nailsea Then & Now readers for choosing name	Queens Head no more Spring clean outside
Queens Head no more Spring clean outside	Queens Head no more Spring clean outside	Queens Head no more A lick of paint
Queens Head no more Looking good - Coates House nearly	Queens Head no more Latest streetscene March 2016	Queens Head no more New sign of the times
Queens Head is Coates House Opening this summer - hooray	Queens Head no more Works begins upstairs	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers
Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers
Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers
Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers
Queens Head no more	Queens Head no more And under the lino they find 1930s newspapers	Queens Head no more The long view
Queens Head no more Upstairs is to be divide back up to allow for toilets, staff lounge and exit to our roof terrace which will seat 50 customers if planners give okay	Queens Head no more Disabled toilets and baby changing room	Queens Head no more Under floorboards spaghetti function
Queens Head no more These tables took the eye of the new owners	Queens Head no more Fireplace stonework looking good	Queens Head no more They broke the electrician's step ladder so replaced it and some bright spark added he hoped they knew difference between red and black!
Coates and another	Queens Head no more Wrong queen to become artwork in loo!	Queens Head no more More artwork for loo - from the steakhouse and Rich the Kitch time...
Queens Head no more The plasterboard arrives - lots	Queens Head no more And here is one we did earlier - a neighbourhood café bar located in the heart of Thornbury also owned by James and Simon. Link added to sample menu	Queens Head no more And here is one we did earlier - a neighbourhood café bar located in the heart of Tewkesbury owned by James and Simon. Link added to sample menu
Queens Head no more Bye bye to Sky, the plan is for people to talk to one another!	Queens Head no more Fireplace stonework looking better	Queens Head no more Coates House builders tea
Queens Head no more Coates House gets a coat of arms	Queens Head no more Now it has a ceiling and walls, time to decide on some colours & lighting	Coates House Making a delivery
Coates House Fixtures and fittings	Coates House Fixtures and fttings	Coates House Its May and they are looking at the colour palette for paint
Coates House Found at Church House by Martin Bird while fitting television aerial and given to former landlady Sally Plummer who had now loaned to new owners	Coates House It is May 2016 and they are choosing the paint colour - yippee	Coates House Work continues on a wet May morning
Coates House Work continues on a wet May morning	Coates House Luckily a new flat roof has been installed to stop the rain coming down INSIDE!	Coates House How long has that owl been on the roof?
Coates House We have an indoor loo	Coates latest look	Coates House In the timber shed chopping wood for winter
Coates House Now they are choosing tiles - getting closer to opening day...	Coates House Saying goodbye to all that	Coates House The skittle teams have moved luckily already moved to the Ringers as the old alley gets demolished
Coates House In the end in sight? FRIDAY NIGHT: Live video on Facebook for a guided tour of the site, tune in at 6pm	Coates House It won't be long, ya ya	Queens Head no more And here comes the ceilings and walls
Coates House Four-legged friends welcome as we are dog friendly	Coates House Recruiting banner goes up	Coates House Its coat-of-arms with Queens Head included with glassblower. Opening predicted for mid-September
Coates House Work starts on extension August 2016	Coates and dog Star of photo gallery methinks	Coates and wooden sign Gosh this is nice
Coates at Christmas We hope you will be open long before...	Coates House End of August 2016 and looking a bit more finished - hooray	Coates House So near...
Coates House The welcome mat	Coates House We need a chef	Coates House Um, not quite finished
Coates House Monday, October 12, opening date	Coates House An old door stop found on site	Coates House Status changed to 'opening soon' after a few building issues with the restaurant and kitchen. New date soon is promised
Coates House We have a coffee machine!	Coates House Disabled loos with baby changing facilities	Coates House New signage
Coates House Split level	Coates High Street window	Coates House Ellis Island look with old luggage bought at auction
Coates House Wiring throught the window	Coates House James behind the bar	Coates House Branding
Coates House Joy of joys - end of October 2016 and a staff training day	Coates House A lot of last minute 'snagging' going on	Coates House On the side they are painting the Coates House sign
Coates House Men at work on garden room	Coates House Tried to get photo of a builder's bum but no luck	Coates House Courtyard is coming along nicely
Coates House Sign writing begins	Coates House New opening date to be announced on FaceBook live tonight!	Coates House Finishing touches going in
Coates House Ready to open on Wednesday, November 16	Coates House This is the pictorial story of turning the Queens Head into Coates House - a new chapter begins soon	Coates House This looks welcoming
Coates House Testing the lights	Coates House New chapter begins next week...ready for first orders

Nailsea pumpkins at Halloween

October 2016

Adge Cutler 50th anniversary

October 2016

To mark the 50th anniversary of the first live recording of Adge Cutler and the Wurzels at the Royal Oak pub a statue of Nailsea’s most famous son went on display.

Nephew John Cutler who lives in Barnstaple organised the Royal Oak tribute to his Uncle Adge with Farmer John showing his memorabilia.

Did you know Adge used to live in the property which is now Nailsea Music Shop - how appropriate is that!

The Twice Dailies provided the Somerset songs from the LP recorded 'live' 50 years ago at the High Street pub.

The statue made by Roy Cleeve is a photo by Steve Barnes and former town councillor Ian Summerell is making a YouTube video of the whole event - more later...when we have the link we will post it here.

The unveiling was at 3pm on Saturday, October 29.

The four-foot sculpture of the well-known West Country musician was made several years ago by Roy Cleeve, a retired Nailsea builder who was a friend of the Wurzels singer and went to school with him.

Mr Cleeve said when he made the model: "I wanted to make a sculpture of Adge, because he was someone I knew.

"We went to the same school and then later on we used to go out and have a pint."

Adge, who grew up in Nailsea and attended Old Church School, wrote most of the Wurzels early songs, including the hit Drink up Thee Zider which was recorded live at the Royal Oak, in November 1966.

He was well known in the town, working at Coates Cider Works in Nailsea and at Portishead Power Station.

Adge died aged just 43 in May 1974 when he crashed his MGB sports car on a roundabout in Chepstow following a Wurzels concert.

He is buried in the graveyard of Christ Church in his home town and a plaque already hangs in the Royal Oak pub in his memory.

Mr Cleeve who lives at West End had his original statue covered a bronze coating.The artist, a former Royal Engineer, had it on display at the opening of Nailsea Tithe Barn in 2011 and it has also been on show at a Nailsea barber’s shop.

John said: "I am very proud to be part of this project and a lot of thanks to Roy Cleeve.

"When Roy and myself put up the statue just to see what it looks like a young boy came up with his friends and asked who this person was, his mate said probably just a farmer.

"This is why I am part of this project, so the people do not forget who my uncle Adge was and I hope this statue of Adge will remind the people of the West Country who he was."

Footlights studio official opening

October 2016

Celebrations at new performing arts studio for Blackfriars Road, Nailsea

One of Britain's top comic Andy Ford performed the official opening ceremony at Footlights new studio on Sunday.

Andy is best known for his appearances at the Bristol Hippodrome in panto and after cutting the ribbon at the performing arts academy at Blackfriars Road, Nailsea he gave a cabaret performance of new material in an early evening show at the same venue.

The afternoon was a celebration for the parents, grandparents and friends which was accompanied by the children singing and dancing, a game of pass the parcel, an American supper and a rendition of happy birthday to Emily, daughter of academy director Tina Kelly.

The four-tier celebration cake made by Heaven cakes/ Heaven on the Hill was a superb work of sugar art with theatre curtains, piano keys, Disney castle and topped with a silhouette of a dancer.

Tina has been running the 250-strong troupe for 14 years and it has classes at Backwell, Nailsea, Portishead and Bristol.

The new studio which is shared with her husband and son who run their company Allegro Logistrics from the building will now be the base for local classes.

Tina has had a busy and successful professional dance career, touring theatres all over the country including London's West End. Tina now passes on her passion for performance through Footlights Performance Academy. She has also danced for the BBC and has choreographed for the Channel 4 programme Skins and stage shows like Sister Act

Big Apple Day, Tithe Barn

October 2016

PREVIEW: ii's autumn and its nearly time for the annual apple pressing organised by Transition Town Nailsea.

This will be at the Tithe Barn on Saturday, October 15, 1-5.30pm.

So come and turn your surplus apples into healthy juice with the help of the chaps from Nailsea Cider.

Apple cakes and other refreshments will be served all afternoon.
Last year a bumper crop of fruit was gathered at the Big Apple Day.

This is the seventh year the environmental group has teamed up with the industrious cider people to host the event in the medieval restored barn.

It will be outside in the former school playground where the apples will be ‘scratted’ or chopped and then pressed to make litres of delicious juice which can be drunk or turned into wine or cider.

Transition Town Nailsea, in common with many other towns and villages in Britain is reviving long lost traditions associated with apple growing and the apple harvest.

The group hopes that more and more people will want to use and celebrate local fruit, and is keen to make links back to Nailsea’s history as a major cider-producing town.

This is all part of the Transition ideals for communities to grow and use more local food, as part of a long- term strategy to reduce air miles and use of fossil fuel in the production of our food.

Nailsea’s history is steeped in coal, glassmaking and cider-making.

The famous Coate’s Cider was made in Nailsea, and before this nearly all the local farms made cider because they could pay their staff a proportion of their wages with the stuff.

Nailsea Cider is a small scale production outfit with an orchard near the West End of the town.

They also use apples from trees in gardens around Nailsea especially from windfalls.

For find out more go to its website by clicking HERE.

If you have any spare apples to donate for the October afternoon call 0774 026 3398 or checkout its Facebook page.

Interesting piece on the merits of apple cider vinegar and health in the BBC online magazine which you can read HERE. It explores a traditional folk remedy that has been around for many centuries. Apple cider vinegar is made by mixing chopped-up apples with water and sugar, then allowing the mixture to ferment, turning some of it into acetic acid

Pink Ladies at rugby club

October 2016

Nailsea International Bike Show

September 2016

On yer bike Nailsea

The 7th Nailsea International Bike Show rocked the Royal Oak pub on Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18.

This free annual event is run by a team of enthusiastic volunteers in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West.

The 2016 weekend was sponsored by Wiltshire company IMP (Insit Moulded Packaging) a world leader in its field.

The show this year featured hundreds of modern and vintage motorcycles along with great trade stands, live music and many other fun activities for everyone.

Rolls Royce engineer John Colley was one of the organisers.

He said: "This family event has a great atmosphere and every year gets bigger and better."

In 2015 they raised more than £1,300 for the CHSW despite poor weather on the Sunday.

But for 2016 the 300 beefburgers on the barbecue had sold out by early afternoon on the first day and with brilliant sunshine the crowds continue to arrive at the High Street venue at weekend.

And the verdict according to John 'it was the best ever'.

Nailsea Bikers have trialed several pitstops from the Royal Oak, The Old Barn at Wraxall to a wet and windy year at Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Club.

But the Royal Oak felt like home and everyone was happy.

The highlights among the bikes were a 1923 Douglas, 1940 Indian Scout, an old moped with a 'pop pop' engine the same as those used on lawnmovers and 1955 BSA Gold Star.

This was matched by good food and drink, fantastic live bands and fabulously friendly crowd.

For a flavour of the weekend click the slide show top.

We will let you know later which bike was voted star baker!

Hang-on we know now.

The last three photos on the slideshow are of the bike built by 10-year-old Mikey Gregory.

His mum Andrea said: "I thought you might like this picture of the people's choice winner, his name is Mikey Gregory and he is 10-years-old.

"This is his first ever bike build which has gone from a pretty rough and rusty bike into what you see in the pictures in two weeks.

"We live in South Wales but his dad Paul (nickname Gregs) grew up and went to school in Nailsea and we have attended the show the past six years."

All we can say is WOW! and thank for sharing the photos.

If you would like a digital copy of any of the photos email nailseapeople@gmail.com - no charge.

Summerset Festival Ring O'Bells

July 2016

Tough As Nails

July 2016

When the tough get going they bounce, splash, climb and endure an Army-style assault course to raise monies for a new youth shelter at Millennium Park, Nailsea.

This was Nailsea’s finest running, panting and puffing to complete an endurance test dreamed up by a police sergeant Mark Raby and supported by his neighbourhood beat colleagues.

There were two routes depending on age with the youngest runners still at infant school and the oldest – well we won’t tell if you don’t?

In brilliant sunshine they raced across the green fields at Nailsea and Backwell rugby club, at West End, to tackle some heinous obstacles on route.

Mark said: “This has always been about supporting the young people of Nailsea and we're holding the run in memory of Alex Gould following his tragic death in February aged just 18 and we are grateful for the support of Alex's mother Caroline who has agreed to start the race."

This was the second Tough as Nails following the 2015 success.

Last summer more than 100 people ran the course and raised £1,000.

A £900 donation was given to the new Nailsea skate park with the remainder put towards organizing 2016.

Alex’s mum Caroline said: "It's such a lovely, wonderful thing to do and it's quite an honour that it's being done in memory of Alex.

“It will be great for the young people of Nailsea to have somewhere to go.

“We're grateful that Alex is being remembered through something which will be so good for the community and which will give us all a way of remembering those we have lost."

Once again local officers teamed up with outdoor fitness company Carpe Diem who devised the warm-up exercises.

Nailsea beer and cider festival

July 2016

Nailsea and Backwell beer and cider festival

PREVIEW: The annual three day long weekend of music and merriment at Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Club runs from Friday to Sunday, July 15-17 and for 2016 doesn’t clash with the bit of a 'do' going on at Backwell!

The beer and cider festival has chosen Children’s Hospice South West as its charity for this year.

The festival peeps have their own Facebook page so for up-to-date information check in here otherwise email nbfestival.media@gmail.com for the latest on sponsorship deals and band line-up.

Sponsorship details are on the Business Peeps page.

Nailsea Beer and Cider Festival 2016 – Band Running Order

Saturday 16 July

12:00 - 12:45 TBC
13:15 - 14:00 Scott Davey
14:30 - 15:15 The Sizza Blistas
15:45 - 16:30 The Twice Dailies
17:00 - 17:45 Jilted Joe (who took photos from stage top)

18:15 - 19:00 Stone Cold Fiction
19:30 - 20:30 Corvus
21:00 - 22:00 The Above Average Weight Band

Sunday 17 July

12:00 - 12:45 Rob The Rich
13:15 - 14:00 Chicken Teddies
14:30 - 15:15 Serenade Big Band
15:45 - 16:30 Start
17:00 - 18:00 Troy Ellis and his Hail Jamaica Band

This event was covered in 2015 and you will find photos in the gallery by clicking HERE.

Saturday morning in Nailsea

July 2016

Nailsea Skatepark official opening

Saturday, July 9

Nailsea Showcase Millennium Park

Saturday, July 9

A skate in park

The sun shone at Nailsea Community Skatepark Festival and showcase on Saturday, July 9, for the 14th annual competition and the official opening of the new state-of-the-art facility.

Organisers agreed it was a fantastic day marking the culmination of 20 months work by a small but dedicated team who ‘dreamed the dream’.

North Somerset Council chairman Peter Bryant, Nailsea Town Council chairman David Packham, NSP stalwarts Josh Howard and Phil Williams made up the official opening team.

A large ‘thank-you’ sign created by Protechnic was unveiled and a specially commissioned skatepark cake made by That Cake Lady was cut and shared.

Core team mementos in the shape of wooden skateboards were handed out before a huge group photoshoot in the skatepark bowl.

Additional donations received on the day included £375 from Golden Valley Primary School non-uniform day and nearly £100 from Tesco Nailsea showcase fruit stall.

Phil said: “This means that the team are within £1,500 of reaching their overall target of approximately £118,000 to fully pay for the project.

“Donations to complete the final amount would be really appreciated in the next week or so either by dropping Nailsea Town Council or go to the Golden Giving page by clicking HERE.

Action on the skatepark got underway at 2pm with a record number of entries.

Phil added: “I don't think the skate park has ever been so busy with hundreds of supporters surrounding every available space to watch the fantastic action from all the youngsters.”

Competitors ranged in age from three years and competitions took place for skateboarders, scooter riders, BMX riders and a rollerblader.

As the age of the competitors got older more and more of the time was spent with all sorts of aerial manoeuvres wowing the crowd.

Great news was that despite all the riders pushing themselves the support of first aid providers, Bristol ambulance was rarely needed.

Results:

Skateboarding 16+ Sonny Kitchen, of Nailsea

Skateboarding 12-15 Ethan Jones

Skatebaording u11 Liam Minter, aged 10

Scooters 13+ Ryan Linham, of Backwell

Scooters 10-12 Harvey Coates, of Nailsea

Scooters 9 and under: Bodhi Archer, of Wraxall

BMX winner Nathan Lyddon with a special mention to Lexie Mae, five, and Lilly Walker, three

A special girls award went to Maisy Hole, eight, who did so well despite tough competition.

NSP is looking to launch some new initiatives this summer particularly around ‘skate school’ in August and the possibility of some first aid training. If interested e-mail Neil Wylie at nwylie@nailseaschool.com.

Phil added: “The team have been blown away by the whole day, the community coming together to celebrate what we have all achieved.

“When I look back and see pictures of last year's skate event with the old beaten up ramps and compare it to this brand new top class concrete facility built by Wheelscape, it brings a tear to my eyes.

“So many people contributed and we are so fortunate to live in the area of Nailsea and the surrounding towns and villages and I am very much looking forward to 2017s event.”

Police boss visits

Listening to residents was the focus of Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens latest community day in North Somerset.

After a tour of Weston-super-Mare her next stop was Nailsea Skatepark to see first-hand the new park being used by children and young people and to meet the people behind the project.

Nailsea Skatepark was awarded £1,000 from the Commissioner’s Community Action Fund.

NSP spokesman Phil Williams said: “I’m delighted Sue could see the skatepark in use and the range of children and young people who are here every day. "A small team of people have been campaigning and fundraising really hard for nearly two-years and it’s wonderful to now see everyone enjoying the park.

"We are really proud of how popular it is.”

Pictured at skate park by sign picture from left are Phil Williams, NSP stalwart Josh Howard, Sue and Nailsea Town Council clerk Ian Morrell