Hanging Out In The Archives

In which I reflect on a week among dusty files and old books.

Just got back from a busy, but fulfilling trip to the UK (which is why this week’s missive is a little later than usual), mixing family time with book research.

I plan on writing things up in more detail over the next few weeks, but just a few highlights from the Brabazon book research activities. We visited three archive locations, the Bristol Archives, the archives at the Aerospace Bristol museum, and the Gloucestershire County Archives to study material related to the Brabazon project in general and the loss of Charlton village (which I headlined in last week’s Ramble) in particular.

The Bristol Archives is located in one of the old bonded warehouses in the Bristol docks area. Once we figured out how to get to the building - a closed access road and poorly signed diversion route sent our rental cars’ GPS into something of a spin - we were warmly welcomed. The documents we had requested turned out to be very useful, but perhaps the highlight for us was the extensive library the Archives had on the history of Bristol. - I know it wasn’t part of our brief, but I did enjoy reading an account of the Beatles’ first concert in the city.

The Aerospace Bristol museum is actually without an archivist at the moment, but they still arranged to have the documentation we requested on hand and ready for us to study. We also managed to spend some time visiting the Concorde which is the central attraction at the museum, plus get up close with the wheel assembly that is all that remains of the Brabazon.

The Gloucestershire Archives were in an excellent modern facility attached to the Glocester city Heritage Hub building. It was perhaps the most modern and efficient of the archive locations we visited. One of the files we had access to proved to be a treasure trove of letters (both official and personal), documents, and newspaper clippings about the fate of Charlton village and what happened to the residents afterward. There’s a great story to be told there.

Other Stuff

Thanks to the new subscribers who have joined since last week. I really appreciate your interest and support. If you would like to join them you can subscribe below.

Brabazon Bits

One of the personal highlights of the trip was a visit to the Brabazon Hanger which is in the process of being converted into a new entertainment arena. We saw it at the perfect time as the conversion work hasn’t yet started, so all the original infrastructure is still intact (if looking a bit rough around the edges).  Been 30 years since I last walked the floors there, and the first time seeing it empty. You really get a sense of the scale of the place when it’s clear of aircraft and equipment.

Pages and Screens

Books Read in 2023 - “The Legend of Charlie Fish” by Josh Rountree

Delighted to have to opportunity to review an advance copy of my friend Josh Rountree’s debut novel that will be published in July.

On the surface the story of a displaced brother and sister with strange powers, an exploited fish-man from the ocean, and the couple that rescues them striving to survive through The Great Storm hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900.

But at its heart. this is an emotional tale of family, both those we are born into, and those we chose to be with.

Engaging from the first page to the last, the central cast is richly developed, while the encroaching growing threat of the storm adds a feeling of tension and foreboding that keeps you turning the page.

Word Slinging

Over on Twitter some of the writers’ threads I follow often post a series of process-driven questions. I enjoy answering these as they make me think about my own process. Someone suggested I should collect and share some of my answers - so what better place than this newsletter?  Here are a few from this past week. 

Q. Do you think you will ever achieve the dream of traditional publishing?

A. I don’t see traditional publishing as a “dream” endgame. It’s one option depending on the project. The current non-fiction project is for a traditional publisher, while the short stories are in production with a small-press publisher, and planning an update for one of my self-published titles.

Q. Writers- do you use spell check software?

A. Definitely. Without it, I wouldn’t be a writer. - I’ve always had problems with spelling.

Q. What is your favorite device to write on? (Laptop, Desktop, typewriter, mobile device)

A. When I’m at home it’s my laptop, when traveling it’s my iPad. - Although with comics scripts I always do the first draft with pen and notebook.

Thanks for joining me for this week’s Rambles. As always don’t forget to sign up for a FREE subscription so you don’t miss future updates.

See you next time

Alan J. Porter