Bristol Old Vic issue appeal to Lockleaze and Horfield residents

Bristol Old Vic theatre is asking for help from the people of Lockleaze to help solve a mystery.

Bristol Old Vic theatre is asking for help from the people of Horfield and Lockleaze to help solve a mystery.

In 1972 Lockleaze Adventure Playground ‘The Vench’ was opened by John Cleese and this photograph was taken.

Are you one of the children in this picture? Did you take the photo yourself or know the person who did?

In February, the theatre is putting on a major new musical called Junkyard – written by local boy Jack Thorne (his father was one of the people responsible for building the Vench) Jack is also a BAFTA winner - responsible for hit tv series Skins and also This is England so he knows how to tell a story!

Junkyard is all about the crazy idea of building an adventure playground and how it came about. Bristol Old Vic are looking for memories of that time and exploring how important The Vench has been to people from the 70s right up to today.

Lucy Hunt is leading the project at Bristol Old Vic :"It is great to be meeting the people of Lockleaze through this project and finding ways to work together. It is really important that the whole city recognise that Bristol Old Vic is their theatre and see their histories and stories reflected on our stages.  I am looking forward to inviting new audiences in to see Junkyard and seeing what we can do together after the show!’

If you can help or have a story to tell, please call or drop them a line:

0117 949 4901 / aadams@bristololdvic.org.uk / Amanda Adams Bristol Old Vic, King Street, BS1 4ED