Of Earth and Sky describes 30 projects created by international artist Luke Jerram from 2019 to 2025. As well as providing updates on the staggeringly popular Museum of the Moon and Gaia, it also features the very latest artworks including Helios, charitable creative projects from the new Jerram Foundation, and many more, most recently relating to planetary health.

A specialist in creating visual artwork which often attracts large audiences and publicity, Jerram gives an insight into how he works in collaboration with other artists, performers, scientists, anthropologists and members of the public, right around the world, to create these astonishing projects.

Explore how the artist expertly creates opportunities to bring people together.

By Robin Askew, Eugene Byrne, Melanie Kelly and Amy O’Beirne

Edited by Andrew Kelly

Follow in the footsteps of the Romantic poets and Brunel. Learn about Bristol’s council housing, commerce and public life. Discover the myths people tell about the city. Experience arts, music history and nature. And see how different the city might have looked if some projects had gone ahead. This book brings together a series of walks created and commissioned by Bristol Ideas to help you explore this unique city.

How much do you know about the history of Bristol? Why does it look the way it does? What secrets do its streets hide? What stories would its buildings tell if they had a voice?

Adge Cutler died on his way home from a gig in 1974, at a time when a major TV breakthrough was within his grasp but before his group the Wurzels reached the top of the charts. The Wurzels continue to pack venues all over the West Country and beyond, with Adge’s band-mates Tommy Banner and Pete Budd still flourishing – but what of the man who set the whole Scrumpy and Western scene under way?

Steve Stacey rose from kicking a ball in the gaslit streets of post-war Bristol to running out in the top flight of English football. Often the only black face in the team he was the first African-American to grace the professional English game.

This poignant, funny and at times deeply moving tale, takes you behind the scenes as a professional footballer working up through the ranks while at the same time searching for his roots.

Exploring intergenerational art and activism, in Bristol.

Bristol is a city of protest, uprising and alternative lifestyles. It’s a city where people feel empowered to make change.

This book explores how the lives of artists and activists were changed by major social movements that changed British society. Spanning CND, Rock Against Racism, Greenham Common, BLM and many more, Art & Activism is a window into the struggle to create a just, inclusive society.

“There aren’t many people that can say they were world famous within hours of being born” Louise Brown

Special 40th anniversary edition of My life as the world’s first test-tube baby.

At 11.47pm on July 25, 1978, Louise Brown was the first person ever to be born through science rather than as the result of two people having sex. The birth was hailed as a “miracle” by the world’s media, making her instantly famous.

Edited by Martin Rieser & Ralph Hoyte

A vibrant collection of poetry from some of the region’s best-loved poets. The project, supported financially by the Clevedon Litfest, invited local poets to respond to themes explored in the poems of Tennyson (In Memoriam) and Coleridge (Aeolian Harp), most associated with the town. The resulting poems are collected here based on themes of loss or sound in nature.

BRISTOL’S BEST PLACES FOR PLANT BASED FOOD

Ben McCabe & Helena Murphy

Vegan Bristol is a guide to the most tantalising spots to discover amazing vegan food in Bristol. Featuring a curated selection of the best vegan and vegan-friendly establishments across a range of cuisines and cultures – from restaurants and cafés to pubs and pop-ups – this guide is the sure-fire way to find your next delicious plant-based meal in the South West’s cultural capital, regardless of your budget and desires.

In Vegan Bristol, you’ll find:

• An introduction to Bristol’s extensive vegan food scene

• More than 40 locations carefully researched and chosen for their quality and atmosphere

• Detailed information about each location, as well as useful insights such as takeaway options

• Provision listings and ‘Best places for...’ guide

How much do you know about Bristol? Why does it look the way it looks? What secrets do its streets hide? What stories could its buildings tell if they had a voice?

Michael Manson takes you on a search to find the soul of the city where he has lived for more than 45 years.

This book will resonate with anyone whose life has been touched by dementia. Tony writes from the heart and pulls no punches.

Note: Any profits from the sale of this book will be given to Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA).

In 1914 a 30-acre site in Bristol, between Ashton Gate and Cumberland Basin was transformed into the Bristol International Exhibition.

It was an optimistic celebration of the achievements of Britain’s empire and dominions, half trade fair half theme park with a roller-coaster ride, daily pageants and even a troupe of lions.

Due to run from May to October the ambitious project included as replica of Bristol Castle, a mock-up of Shakespeare’s England, Drake’s ship Revenge and a series of giant white pavilions all constructed within the space of 10 weeks.

David Punter’s Ship’s Log is a collection of poems for the SS Great Britain which is, after a long and varied life, now a museum in Bristol harbour. The museum has an archive attached, which holds a mass of passenger letters and diaries. In this book, David has taken extracts for these materials, and written his own poems in response to them.

“There aren’t many people that can say they were world famous within hours of being born” Louise Brown

At 11.47pm on July 25, 1978, Louise Brown was the first person ever to be born through science rather than as the result of two people having sex. The birth was hailed as a “miracle” by the world’s media, making her instantly famous.

Fred Wedlock, born in the heart of Bristol, reckoned his first professional engagement was as a toddler singing in his parents’ pub.

Lost, forgotten and previously untold eye-opening tales from the gigs you’ll wish you’d seen.

The West Country might not have a place in rock history to match that of London or Liverpool, but some incredible shows took place here, including the UK’s first outdoor pop riots and key performances by many of the greats.

This anecdote-rich book whisks you through 15 eventful years of rock, with walk-on parts for such unlikely figures as Michael Palin and Terry Pratchett.

Each one of Bristol’s bridges has a fascinating story which is woven intimately into the 1,000-year history of the city. Why was it built? What was involved in its design, engineering and construction? What dramatic events sometimes swirled around and perhaps on it? In this book Jeff Lucas tells the story of each of the 45 bridges which span the main waterways of Bristol between Avonmouth and St Anne’s, and which can be crossed on foot.

An 18^th Century conspiracy mystery based on true events near Bristol.

This story of Keynsham and Saltford over just one lifetime highlights memorable events, institutions that are remembered fondly and buildings that have gone forever. Topics include Fry’s, Keynsham Hospital and how our shops have changed.

But it is individuals and their achievements that give a place its character; we recall some well-known names - and some that are lesser known - as well as our thriving world of sport and leisure.

Whether you want to re-kindle old memories or learn about our recent past, this wide-ranging collection of accounts and pictures brings our local history to life.

In 2004 John Reynolds was diagnosed with a severe thyroid condition that left him with seizures and unable to walk.

After setting himself the seemingly impossible challenge of walking to the end of his garden, he realised the key to regaining his strength was being able to walk further each day than the previous one.

Angel On My Shoulder tells John’s remarkable story of overcoming his physical and mental demons, inspired by the tragic loss of two of his closest family members. Follow his incredible journey into ultramarathon running, from entering his first ever half marathon in Midsomer Norton, to setting the Guinness World Record distance of 426 miles in 6 days, 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Through his spectacular fundraising efforts for Children’s Hospice South West, to his dedicated community work, John’s story is nothing short of inspirational.

Harry Dolman OBE rose from humble rural roots in Wiltshire to become a multi-millionaire, thanks to his fantastic inventions, draughtsmanship and engineering skills. He loved football and his business success led him to Bristol City Football Club where, during 38 years, he became director, chairman and president.

Educated at Clifton College and a cricketing team-mate of Gloucestershire’s W G Grace, Robert Bush was an extraordinary man with a lineage back to the first Bishop of Bristol.

Bush travelled to Australia in 1877 to explore the area north of Perth. After several hazardous expeditions, he settled down to become a successful sheep farmer, an influential politician and a founding vice-president of the Western Australia Cricket Association.

Discover the story of Fears – one of Britain’s oldest watch companies – in this beautifully produced limited edition hardback book.

The Fears story began in 1846, in the city of Bristol, when a talented young watchmaker named Edwin Fear established a workshop and showroom on Redcliff Street.

Robin Prytherch was a man with a passion for birds and one in particular – the common buzzard. For over 40 years, rain or shine, armed with a cheese sandwich, a flask of coffee, a pair of binoculars and a telescope, he headed out to watch them. During his studies he sketched and observed generations of buzzards and got to know their behaviour, individual characters and family relationships intimately. He delighted in finding new and interesting things to say about what one might think is already a very well-known species, and was eager to share his discoveries with others. So, starting in 1995, he decided to do just that by designing and sending out his own buzzard- themed Christmas cards. Sadly, Robin passed away in 2021 but, partially as a tribute to his memory, in this book they are all collected together in one place for others to enjoy.

2023 marked the 650th anniversary of Bristol becoming an independent county. This milestone provided an opportunity to not only look back at more than six centuries of the city, but also to think about how we might build a better Bristol of the future.

Edited by Amy O’Beirne and Andrew Kelly, this book brings together essays from over 30 contributors, addressing some of the challenges the city faces and sharing ideas about how we might meet them. From dealing with the past, the future of social care, culture and housing to building a city of aspiration, the book looks to promote learning about the future of Bristol and encourage new ideas to come forward.

Peter Cullimore, author of Saints, Crooks & Slavers tells the remarkable story of the dissenting doctors of Georgian Bristol.

A pioneer in jabs against the deadly smallpox pandemic of the 1700s; a “madhouse” doctor who reformed brutal treatment of the mentally ill; a male midwife with a sideline in painting exquisite watercolours; an amateur GP who dispensed pills free of charge and treated disease with electric shocks. All were prominent doctors in Georgian Bristol - and all were Quakers.

- Edson Burton and Michael Manson.

‘Medieval market,’ ‘bustling High Street’, ‘wild west’, ‘a wasteland’, ‘massage parlours’, ‘gay area’, ‘up and coming.’ Old Market conjures a myriad of conflicting associations in the minds of Bristolians. There is some truth to all these associations. They reveal the story of Old Market’s brightest hour as part of Bristol’s shopping Golden Mile, the riotous inter war years, the impact of war, post war decline brought on by the redevelopment of the city centre, and revival as Bristol’s gay quarter.

Hotwells - Spa to Pantomime by local author Sue Stops is a wonderfully illustrated and colourful tale about the community of Hotwells and Cliftonwood and its ability to adapt to extraordinary changes. The book recounts some early Hotwells history, from its heyday as a Spa to the 20-year period when Hope Chapel, built in the 1780s, became Hope Centre.

Children who were orphaned, destitute, abandoned and living, and sometimes dying, on the streets of Bristol were a common sight in Victorian times. The lucky ones were fed, clothed, educated and taught skills by church and charitable organisations, workhouses, reformatories and industrial schools.

Trenches to Trams is a vivid social and military history bringing to life the story of an ordinary Bristolian who experienced extraordinary times. George Pine was one of four brothers from Easton who all fought in the First World War. George was awarded the DCM for gallantry and was injured three times while serving with 1/6th and 12th Battalions of the Gloucestershire Regiment. He experienced the horrors of the Somme and Passchendaele.