As Parsons the jewellers celebrates 300 years in the city Amy Oliver takes a look back.

For many Bristolians THE place to purchase an engagement or wedding ring is the family-run jewellers, Parsons.

After two world wars, several recessions and countless moves the firm - the oldest in Bristol - is now celebrating its 300th year

And, after all this time, it’s still attracting young couples after one of its trademark coloured diamonds.

The first shop on Redcross Street, Old Market was founded by George Edgecumbe who had trained as a brass founder and then developed an interest in clock-making.

His son John, married Elizabeth Parsons, and it was their son, George, who branched out into jewellery.

Parsons moved to Penn Street in Broadmead in 1966 after the original premises were demolished to make way for the Old Market roundabout.

An additional shop, which opened in the High Street in 1888, was lost in a wartime Blitz and there was yet another shop in Clare Street which opened in 1923.

Many readers will no doubt remember the statue of Cupid, which famously perched above the Old Market shop front.

Re- erected above the new Penn Street store this mysteriously vanished and despite many sightings - even an appeal in the Evening Post - it was never found.

Parsons’ current owner Paul Davis, 57, who took over the business following the death of Eric Parsons - the seventh and final family member to run the firm - is happy to clear up the matter.

He said: “The statue was actually wooden and covered in a guilt bronze finish.

“When it was in Penn Street someone noticed it was cracking and no one wants Cupid dropping on their head so it was taken down.”

“After it disappeared people swore it was hidden in past employees’ lofts.

“There were sightings from Longwell Green to Hanham but in the end I gave up searching.

“Then a rep from a wedding ring company who had come to see me said: ‘You’ll be pleased to know that Cupid is still happy’.

“It turns out he was above a jewellers in Hatton Garden.

“The owner of the wedding ring company had taken it up to London to restore and decided to hang on to it.

While sad about the lost landmark Paul doesn’t think it would really suit the firm’s current location, on the second floor of The Mall, Broadmead.

Parson’s moved there some ten years ago after the Penn Street premises were demolished following another compulsory purchase order, this time for Cabot Circus.

Rows of sparkling coloured diamonds and rings set with unusual precious stones including blue zircon, morganite and pink amethyst now sit against a backdrop of the company’s history.

Framed sepia photographs of Parsons’ shop fronts in various locations loom from the walls alongside original hand-written receipts dating back as far as 1876.

“A customer bought that receipt in with the original ring that had been passed down through the family,” says Paul.

He sees a lot of family heirlooms that were originally made and purchased from Parsons. The company also restore antique rings to their former glory.

“We’re currently restoring a 150 year old ring that was passed down through the customer’s family but was originally purchased here,” Paul adds.

“It’s destined for a granddaughter.

“The family want it to be handed down to her as it was to her grandmother.

“We have very loyal customers.”

Parsons also do valuations and Paul recalls one a few years ago that even he couldn’t manage.

He said: “An Asian couple, who had been students at Bristol, came in to buy their wedding rings.

“The groom brought along his mum who had arrived from Mumbai.

“She had brought a piece of jewellery in and asked if I could look at it. She was very reluctant to show it and I had a suspicion that what she was coveting was really special.

“Eventually she pulled out a long string of one carat diamonds. On the end was the biggest emerald I’d ever seen. It was the size of a Cadbury’s Cream Egg. It looked like the Maharaja’s jewels.

“I said it was way beyond us but I could put her in touch with a specialist.”

he woman then explained to Paul how her husband had loaned money on the piece but had since died without her knowing who it had belonged to.

“The young man said his mum was going to sell the piece and give the money to them for a deposit on a house.

“He asked me if it would be enough for a flat - that would be fantastic he said. Well we were talking millions! I tested it in the shop and it was all real. They could have bought a whole house in Clifton.

“They wanted me to keep hold of it but I thought this is going to bust my insurance. I would have had to sleep in here with a couple of guards!”

Paul told the couple to let him know how much they got for the piece if they did sell it but has since heard nothing.

“There are so many stories, this shop is shrouded in mystery,” he laughs.

Indeed on closer inspection of a photograph of the Old Market shop front there is a ghostly image of a woman looking at the camera in the doorway next to the shop.

“The printers didn’t want to do it for me,” says Paul.

“They said it was creepy because the woman is in negative which is wrong.

“Also if you look at the age of the picture and the dress of the woman that’s wrong too.

“The picture was taken in 1921 but the clothing is from 100 years earlier.”

Alongside the pictures are cabinets crammed with old watches, old ring boxes bearing the Parsons logo and ‘good luck’ silver spoons from the firm - a freebie when you bought your wedding rings at the store.

All the artifacts have been gathered and donated by the firm’s customers over the years.

There is also a beautiful christening spoon and pusher that was given to Paul by a man who did not have anyone to leave it too.

“It really brings a tear to your eye,” says Paul. “It’s an honour to have it on display.”

Last year The Mall saw Kemps jewellers in Broadmead go into liquidation before being reopened under new management.

Earl Watches and Clocks and Clive Ranger in Broadmead also closed its doors.

“It just goes to show that it’s been a tough year but we are still here,” says Paul

He puts the longevity down to a long-established reputation for fantastic personal service and quality goods.

But it has by no means been plain sailing for Parsons.

Two compulsory purchase orders were costly both in financial and loyalty terms.

“Parsons is such an institution, you could never let it die,” says Paul.

“I feel like a caretaker here and would have to pass it on if anything happened.

“The people of Bristol, I’m sure, would want to see it continue.”

Cupid may well have gone from Parsons but our love for the firm, now celebrating its tri centennial, remains as strong as ever.

Did you buy your ring from Parsons? Perhaps your ring was handed down through the family?

To commemorate their 300th year Parsons are giving away a £300 voucher to spend in store for the oldest ring to have been bought from the firm.

Readers should write to us, at the Evening Post, telling us the circumstances of the ring’s purchase.

The reader claiming to have the oldest ring will be invited to present it to Parson’s MD Paul Davis for examination and, once verified, will win the prize as stated.

In the event of two rings of equal age Mr Davis will judge the winner as the reader with the best story linked to the ring.

For your chance to win send your stories in to Gerry Brooke, Bristol Times, Bristol Evening Post, Temple Way, Bristol. BS99 7HD or email: g.brooke@bepp.co.uk

Standard Evening Post terms and conditions apply - see terms and conditions on Tuesday or log on at the website: www.thisisbristol.co.uk/competition rules.

For specific terms and conditions linked to this competition please email: r.coulter.bepp.co.uk