After a Black Lives Matter demonstration, which saw the statue of Edward Colston toppled, many Bristol schools and venues have been stripped of Edward Colston’s name.
Colston was the Royal African Company’s deputy governor. He gave many large donations to charity in order to preserve his legacy.
However, campaigners have long maintained that his role in the slavery trade was greater than his charitable work. His name has been nearly erased from his native city.
Colston Primary School was one of the first schools to act in 2018. It renamed itself Cotham Gardens Primary School after the consent of most parents, former pupils, and other students.
These movements came to an end during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests that saw his statue demolished and taken to the docks.
Colston was the Royal African Company’s deputy governor. His legacy, however, is rapidly being erased.
Following a vote from students and staff in November 2020, Colston’s girls’ school became Montpelier High School.
Colston Hall, formerly known as Bristol Beacon is now known by the Bristol Beacon. Former Colston Tower has been renamed Beacon Tower
A University of Bristol student housing building, once called Colston Street, is now Accommodation at Thirty-Three
This led to increased pressure for any Bristol institutions or businesses that honor Colston.
Following a consultation with more than 4000 people, Colston Hall’s former name was changed to ‘Bristol Beacon’ in September 2020.
Management of the charity venue for music stated in a posting on their website, that it had been renamed to honor Edward Colston, a slave trader.
According to the post, their eagerly awaited rebranding was “an opportunity for fresh starts and a chance that we can play our part towards creating a fairer and more egalitarian society.”
Following a vote from students and staff in November 2020 Colston’s girls’ school became Montpelier High School.
Kerry McCullagh, Principal of the School, stated that the name change would allow the school to ‘forge a new identity which represents its diverse community.
Colston’s school in Stapleton was the last one to be named after him.
One post from the school said that feedback from students, former pupils, and staff indicated their desire to change the school’s name. This will happen in 2022.
After temporarily taking the title ‘Ye olde pubby Mcdrunkface,’ a pub that was formerly called The Colston Arms has been renamed.
Campaigns to end Colston’s legacy reached their peak during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, which saw Colston’s statue taken down and placed on the docks.
Two years prior to the BLM protests, Colston Primary School was renamed Cotham Gardens primary school.
Nick Baker, the chair of the school’s governors said that he had spent a lot of time examining, considering, and reflecting on the matter. It became apparent that people with close connections to the school preferred a name more appropriate for today’s pupils and future staff.
“It is hoped that an identity change will better reflect the school’s values and ethos and make the school more accessible to the community that it serves.”
After temporarily taking the title ‘Ye olde Pubby Mcdrunkface,’ a pub that was formerly called The Colston Arms has been renamed.
The pub posted a December 20th post to its Facebook page confirming that it now calls itself the Open Arms.
Colston’s School in Stapleton is the school that bears his name. It has yet to change its name, but Colston’s Schools announced it would.
Colston Road, Easton in Bristol still bears the name of the slave trader, though street signs have since been covered up
Colston Street is a landmark in Bristol that bears the name of a merchant.
Many other bars made similar moves over the past months, with more likely to do so in future.
A University of Bristol student housing building, once called Colston Street, is now Accommodation At Thirty-Three.
Colston Street in Bristol and Colston Road Easton remain unchanged.
Edward Colston, Merchant and Slave Trader. He was once referred to as Bristol’s most important son.
Edward Colston, who was an integral member of the Royal African Company that had total control over Britain’s slave trade, was a key figure
Edward Colston was the son of a Bristol merchant family, in 1636.
He began his apprenticeship at a livery firm and then started his own company.
After his graduation, he was a member of the Royal African Company.
British slave trade was under the Company’s complete control, along with its gold, Ivory, and Ivory businesses with Africa, and forts off the coast of West Africa.
During his tenure at the Company his ships transported around 80,000 slaves from Africa to the Caribbean and America.
Around 20.000 of these people, with a further 3,000 children or more, were killed during their journeys.
Thomas Colston was Thomas’ brother and supplied the glass beads which were used for the purchase of slaves.
Colston was elected the Conservative MP of Bristol in 1710. However, he was unable to stand for another term due to his declining health and old age.
A lot of the wealth he accumulated from slave trading was used by him to construct schools and almshouses for his city.
In his honor, a statue was built.
After years of campaigning and artists boycotting the event, the venue finally agreed to delete all references to the trader.
The plaque that was placed at the statue of Colston in Bristol read: “Erected By Citizens of Bristol As a Memorial to One of the Most Virtuous and Wise Sons of Their City.”
Colston’s statue overlooking the harbor was destroyed in response to the Black Lives Matter protests that were sparked in 2020 by George Floyd’s death.