Visit Report 29th April 2025 - Bristol Docks Trip

Some 30 members of The Monday Morning Club and Portishead Probus Club met at Dock HQ at Avonmouth for a guided tour of both Avonmouth and Royal Portbury docks by coach.  We were greeted by our guide, John Chaplin, Fellow Institution of Civil Engineers - Director of External Affairs & Special Projects, who gave a continuous commentary during our one and a half hour tour which started at Royal Portbury. He explained in much detail about the history of the docks, their ownership, trades and goods handled. The Company supports the local community and is currently funding projects in Avonmouth and Crockerne, Pill Primary schools  As we travelled around the sites he gave abundant information about the operations we were seeing.  

There is space for 100,000 cars and vans to be parked on site.  Some 750,000 pass through the port each year, the majority being imports from the Far East and some 150,000 vehicles per year are exported through Bristol.

The Dock functions with some 600 port staff but many 1000s are employed by the companies using the dock’s facilities.  Thanks are due to Adrian Bailey and Lawrence Smith for their organisation and votes of thanks and to the Turner coach driver Ryan.  JBS

2nd December 2024 - Ladies Event

Some 75 members, wives, partners and guests enjoyed their Christmas Lunch at the Nailsea Masonic Hall.  After drinks in the bar, members gathered in the dining room in anticipation of their pre selected choices of three course meals with coffee to follow. Ladies all received a small token present before the drawing of the raffle followed by a vote of thanks by chairman, Stuart Roberts, who thanked the caterers and all those who contributed to the successful event and ended by wishing all a very Happy Christmas.

Our June 2024 meeting was a Ladies event at Nailsea Masonic Hall when we were entertained by Tim Lewis & Sheila Furneaux to Musical Entertainment called 'The Wind in the Willows'.