Thursday 19th May

7:30pm-8:30pm

Evening Talk with Eugene Byrne, Writer & Journalist

Learn about this modest, fastidious, funny Victorian gentleman who continues to exert a huge influence over our perceptions of Bristol's history.

This talk will feature a bit of fun and perhaps a surprise or two.

As Editor of the Bristol Mercury and writer of his own Annals on Bristol, John Latimer was a chronicler of the city's nineteenth-century transformation from medieval port to modern industrial city.

As Bristol's most influential historian, Latimer was never neutral. While he was scrupulous about the facts, he made free with his opinions, and loved a good bit of gossip and scandal - particularly if it concerned Tories or Anglican clergymen.

Eugene Byrne takes a look at the life and times of John Latimer, as seen from his journalism, histories and his personal life. He promises us a modest, fastidious, funny Victorian gentleman who continues to exert a huge influence over our perceptions of Bristol's history.

"More than 100 years after he died, Latimer's Annals are a still a wonderful, entertaining read," says Eugene Byrne. "Thanks to technology, they're more accessible now than they ever were in his lifetime.

"This talk will feature a bit of fun and perhaps a surprise or two. The audience will also be mercilessly nagged to go out and discover Latimer for themselves."

Information on the Speaker: 

Eugene Byrne is a freelance journalist and occasional author. One of the founders of Bristol's Venue magazine, he is still its Consulting Editor.

With artist Simon Gurr he has produced graphic biographies of Brunel, Darwin and the city of Bristol, as well as writing the 2010 Arnos Vale Cemetery Guidebook. He's also written science fiction novels and is a regular contributor to BBC History magazine. 

Eugene Byrne's blog: http://eugenebyrne.wordpress.com/

How to Book

Tickets are £7/£5 concessions

You can purchase your tickets via secure on-line payment by following the Paypal link below.

Alternatively please visit the Box Office Reception located in the Gift Shop of the East Lodge building. This building is located to the left of the cemetery from the main Bath Road entrance. Reception is open from Monday - Saturday 10:00-4:00pm.

You can also send a cheque, made payable to Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust to the following address and your tickets will be posted out to you. Please add the £1.00 P&P to the total amount if you prefer to purchase your tickets this way. Address: FAO: Felicia Smith, Arnos Vale Cemetery, West Lodge, Bath Road, BS4 3EW.

For more information please contact Felicia Smith on 0117 971 9117 ext 212 or please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please also take a moment to read our access guide to ensure you visit Arnos Vale safely.

You may be interested in some of our other events at Arnos Vale: Dawn Chorus with Mike Dilger on 21st May, Insect Walk in June, Moth Watch in July, Doors Open Day in September, Halloween Heritage Guided Tour in October, Owl Prowl or War Graves Tour in November?

Evening Talk 19th May

Adult Ticket £7.00 Concession Ticket £5.00