SCANDINAVIAN EVENING - 30th JANUARY 2008

Organised in conjunction with the Bristol University’s Scandinavian Society, BISC held a Scandinavian evening on Wednesday evening, where around 40 students attended.

It was a very interesting cultural evening; where guests were given an insight into the Scandinavian culture - which was led by Peter Ahlers, society’s president. Peter and co. provided us with a general overview with statistics and facts of Scandinavian countries i.e. Norway, Sweden, Finland and Demark.

We were treated to an interesting variety of dishes, starters including fish, caviar, sausages and lots of Swedish meatballs for the main meal while being entertained with Norwegian folk music. The evening ended with dessert being served, hand made waffles with cream and a choice of jams, following a quiz on Scandinavian. The winner walked away with a tray of Scandinavian goodies, courtesy of the society.

It was a lovely evening of socialising and stretching knowledge on Scandinavia! BISC is also organising a Pancake Party next Tuesday, 5th Feb & Japanese Evening on Friday 15th February - be sure not to miss these exciting evening - book online NOW!

SLAVE TRADE WALK 1 - 16th January 2008

A good number of students participated in the Slave Trade Walk on Wednesday, 16th January led by Elvyn Griffiths. The walk started at Arnolfini where Elvyn explained Bristol’s involvement with the Slave Trade in the 14th Century. He also explained on the origins of Cabot and his involvement in the trade.

The walks highlight what life and living was like at the height of the slave trade in the 16th and 17th century in Bristol. It showed how the culture of slavery had been with Bristol since Saxon times. We visited the places where ships were built, where merchants lived and to Redcliffe caves, whose sand was used in the production of glass and where cargo coming into Bristol was stored. The sand of the cave was also used as ballast on ships going out to Africa. The walk itself started from Cabot statue whose discovery of North American Continent gave the opening of the increase of trade for Bristol.

St Mary Redcliffe Church was also referred to as many slaves’ captains were church wardens. It was the church that rang its bells in civic celebration when news reached Bristol of the defeat of the first bill to attempt to outlaw slavery.

Queen Square was visited, and it was here that a lot of merchants were dealt with - America, West Indies and Africa. And it was also in the square that had America’s first ever consulate established in 1792. The walk ended after visited Kings Street which is an old trading area and most of the buildings were put up by slave merchants including the Theatre Royal.

There are 2 more Slave Trade Walks to be enjoyed coming up in February and March…..why not join us? Our thanks also to Flo for the photos!