Nightingale Valley c.1910
Click ^ for larger image.
Today, woodland covers much of the scene captured in this photograph by William Winchester in the early part of the 20th century. Then, the fields were open pasture, and had perhaps been that way for centuries, as grazing for sheep contributed to the woolen industries for which Somerset was renowned.
It's notable that the first house has its door in the corner of the building which, elsewhere in Brislington at least, is the sign of a shop. Its window too appears to be stocked with items of interest (rather than curtains providing privacy). This postcard is printed using the collotype method and therefore lacks the detail that a photograph printed directly from the negative might provide, so more research is needed to shed light on this otherwise forgotten site in local history.
The earliest known postmark on this postcard is 1 Jan 1912.
Visit our notes for more information about this photographer and postcard publisher, and his work in Brislington.
Bibliography - the picture in this postcard has been published in:
Winchester, Evelyn 1986, page 53.
Fisher, Janet & Derek undated, page 42.
Crimmins, Graham et al, 2008, page 13.
Period: Modern
Exhibit contributed by Ken Taylor
Text written by Ken Taylor (2022)
Photographer: William Albert Winchester
Acquisition number: 220813a1