Lockleaze

Lockleaze

Boundaries of the city council ward.
Population 12,080 (2011.Ward)[1]
OS grid reference ST611769
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town BRISTOL
Postcode district BS7
Dialling code 0117
Police Avon and Somerset
Fire Avon
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
UK Parliament

Lockleaze is an area and council ward in the northern suburbs of the city of Bristol, England, three miles north of the city centre, south of Filton, east of Horfield and west of Frenchay.

Lockleaze is a long narrow residential area built on the western flank of Purdown on a north-south axis, separated from Horfield by the main Bristol to South Wales railway line. The suburb was developed immediately after World War II. Although much of the housing was owned by Bristol Corporation, some are now privately owned.

Lockleaze school was designed by the city architect A.H. Clarke and built in 1954. It is an early example of 'Method Building' using pre-cast frame with pre-stressed floors and brick panel walling.[2]

St Mary's church dates from 1956 by T.H.B. Burrough.[2]

A microwave transmission tower, Purdown BT Tower, is located at Lockleaze and is known locally as the "Cups and Saucers". The distinctive tower, built in 1970, can be seen from many miles away.

During World War II, an anti-aircraft gun emplacement, known locally as Purdown Purcy,[3] was located on the down, the ruins of which remain today.

History

The BT tower at Purdown dominates much of Lockleaze

The estate takes its name from Lockleaze Farm, which occupied the site. The name Lock Leaze comes from the Anglo-Saxon for a fold in a field or pasture. Lockleaze Farm stood roughly where Bonnington Walk is today, between Stothard Road, Branwhite Close and Thornycroft Close. The farm stood at the end of Lockleaze Lane, neither the lane nor the farm buildings remain today. Lockleaze Lane was a continuation of Berry Lane, which began at the junction between Gloucester Road and the present-day Muller Road, at Horfield Court Farm. The lane followed the route of Muller Road, Filton Avenue, Berry Lane and Chedworth Road, before crossing the gas works and crossing the railway at the present day Constable Road/Lockleaze Road bridge. On the south side of Chedworth Road stood Berry Lane Farm. As well as Lockleaze Farm there was also Purdown Farm which stands at the site of present-day Fairacre Close. The old farmhouse remained long after the houses were built at Haydon Gardens.

Nearly all the roads in Lockleaze are named after painters, such as: Constable, Gainsborough, Blake, Hogarth and Nash.

Amenities

The hub of Lockleaze is Gainsborough Square, where parades of shops face onto the north and west sides of the Square. On the east side of the Square, a new Community Centre has been built named; The Hub. At the south side of the Square is the Church of St. Mary Magdalene with St. Francishe. The central green area of Gainsborough Square serves as a small park, with an enclosed child's play area.

The nearest police station is on Southmead Road, in the neighbouring district of Southmead. Lockleaze once had its own police station on Gainsborough Square.

A doctors surgery is located on Lockleaze Road.

Lockleaze is served by a bus service operated by First West of England, with several bus stops throughout Lockleaze.

Sport

Boxer Lee Haskins was born in Lockeaze.

The Channel 4 sitcom Teachers was filmed at Lockleaze school.

Lockleaze provided a backdrop in the 1962 musical film Some People directed by Clive Donner, starring Kenneth More and Ray Brooks. The film is about a welfare worker (Kenneth More) trying to help a gang of teenagers in Bristol.

References

  1. ↑ "Lockleaze" (PDF). 2011 Census Ward Information Sheet. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  2. 1 2 Burrough, THB (1970). Bristol. London: Studio Vista. ISBN 0-289-79804-3.
  3. ↑ "76th A.A. Regt R.A. (TA)". Archived from the original on 2008-07-23. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
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