Talk: Bedminster's Tobacco Women

For around 100 years the skylines of Bedminster and Ashton were dominated by the red brick buildings of Wills and other tobacco firms. Once a major part of Bristol’s industrial and civic heritage, the tobacco factories have all gone now, some demolished and some transformed into new ventures. But they, and the people who worked in them, are still central to the vibrant communities within the city.

Bedminster’s Tobacco Women offers a glimpse into what life was like for workers in the tobacco factories, drawing on stories told by 23 local people. Their experiences cover almost 50 years and every kind of job. A testament to all those who worked for Will, but especially to the thousands of local women whose voices deserve to be heard.