John the Painter was trying to burn shipping in Bristol in support of the American independence movement. You might say that this was the first terrorist attack on Bristol. And argue that it was carried out on behalf of the USA. Awkward.

False: No mystery here. The Booklet accompanying the opening describes them as "the spirit of the Avon as a symbol of belief in the future of Bristol". (Merritt & Greenacre; Public Sculpture of Bristol; 2011)x.com/WeirdBristol/s…

Weird Bristol factcheck BlueGlassBoy AFAIK the Blitz damage was not from 1940, but the Good Friday Raid of 1941. There's a photo in the Post library of firemen damping it down dated April 1941.

False: Maps show the park area was no more dense than typical Bedminster streets. Of 91 houses 30 were lost in WWII, the remainder still occupied through the 50s and 60s. A smaller playing field was formed in the 60s before further urban clearance x.com/WeirdBristol/s…

Partially True: The Hatchet is considered the oldest purpose-built inn in the city centre, being built between 1662 and 1675. The story about the skin remains a popular yarn, but is unsubstantiated by fact. The door is C17th, not 18th Century. x.com/WeirdBristol/s…

False: This photo isn't the Cumberland Basin. The location is still in the city centre opposite where the Brunel's SS Great Britain was launched. Brandon Hill is in the background and Clifton Wood on the left. x.com/WeirdBristol/s…