Gerry Brooke answers your questions about Picton Street, Neptune's statue, King Street, Rackhay and Priston Mill

I’ve heard that Picton Street, in Montpelier, was named after a brave soldier. Do you know anything about him?

Linda Cutts, Redland.

According to Veronica Smith, in her “Street names of Bristol,” the street was named in honour of Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Picton who averted a military mutiny in Bristol in 1783.

Thomas, by all accounts a brave man, was shot through the temple by a musket ball at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

He was the most senior allied officer to die on that famous battlefield.

There is monument to his memory in St Paul’s cathedral.

Can you tell me anything about the Neptune statue on the Centre?

Ann Spicer, Eastville.

This lead statue, cast nearly three hundred years ago, in 1722, has moved several times over the centuries.

Once painted and possibly gilded, Neptune originally stood in Church Lane, near Temple church, above a conduit which supplied fresh water from a spring under what is now the Three Lamps Junction.

In 1872, however, he was moved to the junction of Victoria Street and Temple Street.

Then, in 1949, he was moved again, this time to the Centre, near the Watershed.

In the early 1980s, desperately in need of some TLC, he was taken away from the city for eight months of specialist repairs.

Ten years ago, while a £4 million revamp of the old Centre gardens was underway, he was taken away for yet more vital repair work before being returned to his present spot.

heady here pls

Which king is King Street name after?

Ed Weeks, Horfield.

Laid out in 1663 it is named in honour of King Charles II and his restoration to the throne.

heady here pls

What do Rackhay and Pithay mean?

Kay Lewis, Southville.

The most obvious explanation for Rackhay is that it refers to the “racks” used to dry cloth during the centuries that Bristol was at the forefront of the country’s woollen industry.

Originally called Rackhithe its also been suggested that it could refer to a “landing place.”

The original course of the River Frome flowed near here.

Pithay is derived from two words – “Puit” meaning a well, and “Hai” meaning a stone enclosure.

heady here pls

Can you still buy stone ground flour from Priston Mill, near Bath?

Len Moody, Bedminster.

Unfortunately, no.

About ten years ago the Hopwoods, who had worked the Saxon mill for many years, decided to convert it into a wedding venue.

I understand, however, that the mill pond has been retained and that the mill wheel is still in good working condition.