![A Place For Everyone - Masthead A painting of three people dressed in blue on stage bowing to a seated audience](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/A-Place-For-Everyone-Masthead.jpg?resize=30%2C12&gravity)
A Place For Everyone
An aural exhibition of Bristol Beacon’s historic place in the community
Since 1867, Bristol Beacon has been a focal point in the lives of Bristolians, showcasing big musical acts and local talent in equal measure, alongside an eclectic program of other events including wrestling, political rallies, beauty pageants, and community events.
In 2019, oral historian Tot Foster met and spoke with Bristol’s communities who gave voice to very individual and personal stories of their memories of Bristol Beacon. Alongside 40 specially commissioned illustrations by artist Matt Booker, the exhibition “A Place for Everyone” provided a snap shot of the unique role the Hall has played in people’s lives over the years.
Listen to the stories
The Show Goes On
For 152 years Bristol Beacon has been a civic centre at the heart of life in Bristol. Music has always been important, but beyond the big names the Hall has been a place for everything from cricket club fundraisers, cookery demonstrations, dog shows, job fairs and blood donation collection.
Performers, trustees, sponsors, organisers, and of course the staff at Bristol Beacon; it takes many people to make this a Place for Everyone. This collection includes recollections and personal musical memories from the people that make sure the show goes on.
Of course, no show is complete without an audience and on this track you will also hear from the people of Bristol about why they’ve visited Bristol Beacon, and the many experiences they’ve had here.
Spectacular Storytelling
Until the 1980’s what is now the Lantern was known as the Little Theatre, putting on regular and accessible theatre six days a week in partnership with Bristol Old Vic and the repertory theatre company the Rapier Players. With new stories added every week seats were available on subscription in the pre-television era, with members of the public eager to find out what happens next. We hear from actors who trod the boards, and the communities that were built around this unique theatre.
In the main hall, wrestling was one of the biggest nights of the week. Big names such as Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy would go head to head in nail-biting shows, attracting audiences from around Bristol for regularly sold out bouts from 1950s to 2004. In this collection wrestlers, audience and staff recount their stories of the golden days of wrestling.
Bristol Takes A Bow
For Bristolians there have been many opportunities to get on the stage at Bristol Beacon. Many people’s first memory of the Hall is actually as a performer rather than an audience member.
Whether it was part of a school Christmas concert, dancing as part of the annual Stages festival or working with world renowned conductors. On this track we hear from those who have sung, danced, and even paraded on the main stage in front of proud parents, teachers and friends.
Interviewees also explore the influence that these formative experiences have had on their lives, and the impact that the continuing education work of Bristol Beacon is still having today.
View Illustrations
by Matt Booker
View 34 images![A Place For Everyone (1) Illustration of four young performers on stage](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/A-Place-For-Everyone-1.jpg)
View Illustrations
by Matt Booker
View 34 images
![Family in the audience, Mike Evans Illustration of people bowing on stage](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/family-in-the-audience-Mike-Evans-.jpg)
![Flower procession Illustration of people dressed in white walking](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/flower-procession.jpg)
![Hair dressing competition Illustration of people cutting hair](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/hair-dressing-comp.jpg)
![drink in pub Illustration of wrestlers drinking in a bar](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/drink-in-pub.jpg)
![dog show Illustration of people with dogs on leads in a ring](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/dog-show.jpg)
![david and goliath Illustration of wresters in a ring](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/david-and-goliath.jpg)
![dancingclub music Daniel Wood Illustration of of dancers under the light of a mirror ball](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/dancingclub-music-Daniel-Wood.jpg)
![dancing Illustration of a dancer on stage](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/dancing.jpg)
![clapping on own Illustration of of audience applauding performers](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/clapping-on-own.jpg)
![cheering crowd going wild for wrestling- Nigel Hanmore Illustration of audiences cheering wrestlers](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/cheering-crowd-going-wild-for-wrestling-Nigel-Hanmore.jpg)
![blood doning Illustration of people donating blood](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/blood-doning.jpg)
![badgers- Daniel Wood Illustration of two badgers in a box](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/badgers-Daniel-Wood.jpg)
![audience members look small- Nigel Hanmore Illustration of a wrestler in the ring pointing to an audience member](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/audience-members-look-small-Nigel-Hanmore.jpg)
![a levels Illustration of students in red shirts sitting at tables with exam sheets](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/a-levels.jpg)
![wrestling Illustration of two wrestlers fighting in a ring](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/wrestling.jpg)
![whisky festival Illustration of people drinking whisky](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/whisky-festival.jpg)
![watching beatles Illustration of two people watching a concert](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/watching-beatles.jpg)
![Vaugh Williams respect Illustration of people sat on red chairs](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/vaugh-williams-respect.jpg)
![Singing Illustration of three person profiles](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/singing.jpg)
![Ronan Keating Illustration of people chasing someone towards a parked black car](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/ronan-keeting.jpg)
![Ringo Starr Illustration of a person playing with toy cars](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/ringo-starr.jpg)
![Rehearsals Illustration of people reading from scripts](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/rehearals-.jpg)
![Reggae Illustration of musicians performing on stage](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/reggae.jpg)
![Rapier Players Illustration of a pianist performing on stage with actors](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/rapiers-play.jpg)
![Rapier Players Illustration of performers on stage](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/rapier-play.jpg)
![Putting up the stage, Nigel Hanmore Illustration of a wrestler putting up a wrestling ring](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/put-up-the-stage-Nigel-Hanmore.jpg)
![Playing with toys on stage, Bob Lloyd Illustration of a boy playing with toys on stage](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/playing-with-toys-on-stage-Bob-Loyd.jpg)
![Painting scenery Illustration of a person painting stage scenery](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/painting-scenery.jpg)
![Piano telling off Illustration of an angry person in front of a piano](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/paino-telling-off.jpg)
![Orchestra Illustration of orchestral performers on stage](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/orchestra.jpg)
![Nigel Kennedy Illustration of violin players playing next to an exit sign](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/nigel-kennedy.jpg)
![Jerry Lewis Illustration of a person in a bow tie standing on a piano](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/jerry-lewis.jpg)
![In awe of venue organ, Mike Evans Illustration of a person standing in a concert hall looking towards a large pipe organ](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2024/03/in-awe-of-venueorgan-Mike-Evans-.jpg)
Creative Team
Illustrations Matt Booker
Sound Tot Foster
Project Assistant Phoebe Graham
Community Learning and Volunteers Senior Officer Julia Roderick/ Ella Kenny
Contributors
People in the streets and parks of Bristol
Residents, staff and visitors at Deerhurst Care Home
Louise Anderson, Frank Cullen, Chris Daniels, Cheryl Lindell, Jan de Gay, Michael Evans, Ruby Fleming, Sheila Fudge, Nigel Hanmore, Theresa Harris, Cherry Kraus, Bob LLoyd, Clare McKeown, Gillie McKeown, Joshua McKeown Davies, Nicky Monroe, Andrew Nisbet, Geoffrey Norman, Vera Norman, Chris Pockett, Margaret Pymm, Michelle Rochester, Basil Russell, Lloyd Ryan, John Short, Ken Sowden, Jonah Stein, John Telfer, Timothy West, Daniel Wood
Thanks also to Eugene Byrne, Lesley Hobbs, Ann Sell and Jane Talbot for their valuable input.
Our History
![The Story Wall-4 Black and white illustration of people in smart clothing. Text](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2023/11/The-Story-Wall-4-scaled-e1700061460998.jpeg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Our History
For over 150 years our walls have reverberated with magical sighs and sounds of orchestras, activists and entertainers of every description. Discover our history.
Art at the Beacon
![Bristol Beacon Mural by Rtiika An abstract wall mural with shapes and lines in red, purple, blue and black](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2023/03/230302_Rtiika_BristolBecon_Mural_GiuliaSpadafora_HiRes-00044-scaled.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Art at the Beacon
Discover our collection, find out about the artists, and experience the artworks yourself on your next visit.
Donate
![Bristol Takeover 2019_credit Tom Ham-15 A guitarist wearing dungarees](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2021/11/Bristol-Takeover-2019_credit-Tom-Ham-15.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Donate
Bristol Beacon is a music charity that uses music to bring joy, engage and inspire. Donate today and help us make space for music for everyone.