Bristol Archives, reference 40826/STR/95
The BBC series The Newcomers – screening at Arnolfini on Saturday 9 April – was first broadcast in 1964. It told the story of Alison and Anthony Smith, two recent arrivals in Bristol. As well as the Smiths, The Newcomers featured many well-known Bristol people and residents of the time – George Brandt, Derek and Elizabeth Balmer, Val Lorraine, Tom Stoppard and more.
The biggest star in the film is Bristol. What was Bristol like in the early to mid-1960s? Starting at the Paragon, Bristol Ideas invite you on a walk to visit some of the areas of the city centre – as well as the ideas – explored in The Newcomers.
Along the way, we’ll look at aspects of Bristol at the time including city planning; politics and politicians; the local media; Bristol’s street of bookshops; the arts, especially visual arts and the theatre; the Bristol bus boycott; and much more.
Tour headsets will be available for use, so please arrive in good time so that we can explain how to use them. If possible, please bring your own headphones to use with the headsets.
The walk will carry on come rain or shine, so please bring the appropriate clothing you need to make the tour comfortable. If you have any access requirements please contact – Bristol Ideas
