“Far from having 300 year of history, City Hall (nee Council House) was opened in 1956.”

“Sorry Lone _Ranger, but, we've had a Council House for over 300 years. The one on College Green now, and the one in Corn Street. Without looking up info again - the very 1st one was rebuilt. if you "Google" Council House in Bristol - You will see what I mean.
Cheers for now.”

“And the one now named "City Hall" (which you specifically moan about) was opened in 1956. It's just a name. Get over it.”

“Only been living in Bristol since 1965? I've only live in Bristol since 1975 (when I was born), so he is 10 years more Bristolian than me!”

“Hi Lone_Ranger - I ain't going to get over mate - if it's "only a name" why alter it - as I said - our beloved new Mayor decides to overturn 300 years of history for no reason - only his whim - and I was not even born here - but I love Bristol - it's people and everything about it - we didn't need a Mayor (it works in London - both Uncle Ken and now Boris did, and are dong a great job) - we are the only city/town in last year's vote who voted for one - one town up north threw out their Mayor after 8 years.
So as I said - Bristol still has a COUNCIL HOUSE, NOT a City Hall.”

“Hi SVillePhil - thanks for comment - but I don't get your point - you were born here in 1975 - the new Mayor has been here since 1965 - so what ?”

“It IS called City Hall now. Whether you like it or not, you've got to live with it. Or are you going to magic the name back to "The Council House"?”

“@Elgar

In your original post, it seemed that you were suggesting that the Mayor is somehow not a proper Bristolian as he only moved here in 1965. I consider myself to be a proper Bristolian and I've been here 10 years less. Hope that simplifies my point.”

“Hi polyphase - Thanks for comment. Sorry to have to inform you that it is still called the COUNCIL HOUSE - I don't give a damn what the new new Mayor says. See you, Cheers.”

“Hi again SVillePhil - No - the Mayor is a Bristolian since 1965 - you are a Bristolian since 1975, and I'm a Bristolian since 1932 when I was moved here as a baby and Bristol adopted me - and I love it here with all it's history - which I'm not having it being overturn by a brand new Mayor who seems to have visions for the future - which if they come about could be good, we shall have to wait and see - in the meantime he's putting up the council tax by 2%, just for starters. It's a pity that Labour Central Office in London in all their wisdom will not let their Labour buddies here in Bristol join George's Cabinet.
Be good.”

“I think your point is somewhat confused. Or maybe it's just me.”

“Hi SVille|Phil - No - My point is not confused - Back to the original again. The name of the so called City Hall is incorrect - it's been a COUNCIL HOUSE for over 300 years, and it is now again the COUNCIL HOUSE - go and tell George if you feel so inclined.
Have a good day - Cheers,”

“Hi elgar, No, it's called City Hall. Just saying it's called the Council House over and over again doesn't actually mean it is. It just makes people think you're weird. cheers pal.”

“Hi polyphase - Thanks for new comment. It's all a bit like other examples. In 2004 The Galleries became the Galleries Mall, but it's now back to the Galleries, A pub in Hanham the name was changed after 100s of years - it's now back to it's original name because the public demanded it , and the Brewers agreed, and the shopping centre in Bristol is now (I forget the exact name), but most people still call it Broadmead, I do still. No, I'm not weird, the Mayor is to think there was a need to change the name of the Council House after over 300 years. So to put a finish to this - if you and George want to call it the City Hall, be my guest , but, to myself and a lots of other Bristolians (wait for it) it's the COUNCIL HALL. Have a fun day - Cheers.”

“Sorry - you nearly had me at it - COUNCIL HOUSe. Cheers.”

“Unlike both Elgar & Mayor Furgusson I am Bristolian born & bred. However I totally agree with Elgar that it is THE COUNCIL HOUSE. Any proposal to change its name should have been put to referendum by the citizens of Bristol as a whole. It is most certainly not for Mr Furgusson to dictatorially overrule 800 (not "300") years of practice & tradition on his first day of a term of office that in any case will not last more than a handful of years.
Bristol has elected councellors to represent each of its wards - it is they who are supposed to run the city both collectively & through a series of committies covering various aspects of civic administration. For 800 years the city council has also elected from among their number a Lord Mayor to represent the City ceremonially. Bristol has no need for a directly elected Mayor, whoever it may be, whose main role - at public expense - seems to be nothing but that of a Jumped-up publicity-grabbing petty quasi dictator, ruling by decree & undemocratically bypassing & upstaging the elected council.”

“THE COUNCIL HOUSE is not the property of Mayor Furgusson nor of the City council: it is the collective property of THE CITIZENS OF BRISTOL. It is they alone who are entitled to change its name through referendum.
Mr Furgusson is totally out of order & must be challenged.”

“Very interesting. So challenge him, if you feel that strongly. The fact remains though, that for the time being, it is called City Hall.”

“Thank you BristolBeezer. Well put - I agree with every you thing say - when the Mayor is kicked out, as I hope he will be - we may then go back to having a Council House, which of course we still have in our book, and many other Bristolians book.
On the subject of me not being born here - I was brought here age the age of 2 in 1932 by my parents. My Mother was born here in 1888. one of 13 children. My Grandfather had a pub on Pennywell Road, one of his sons had a pub in Newfoundland Road, which had a gym at the back where he trained boxers, (his son I believe became a British champion, I forget what weight) and also members of the Bristol Rugby team, one of my cousins played for Bristol Rugby, but was killed in a German air raid on the BAC. Another cousin sang with a Bristol choir. Another cousin played drums in his own group in the 50s (modern jazz) was on TWW TV - played at gigs in town, and used to invite top jazz musicians down from London to play with him. Another 2nd cousin was taught to play the violin in Bristol, and went on to play in the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. I passed what was then the Bristol Corporation's own School Certificate - so the point I suppose I'm making is that although I still have an alliance to the town where I was born - I do feel I have been adopted by this wonderful City.
I have just remembered that another family member (my Great Grandfather) was granted the Freedom of the City of Bristol (I have written proof from the City Council), and I have recently discovered that this is passed down the line, so I am going to look into this, and, I've been told by family members that another Great Grandfather was drinking in a pub in town - sailors went in and pressed ganged him and others into the Navy at the time of H. Nelson So I do feel I have connections to Bristol.
Well done BristolBeezer, many thanks, and perhaps you could remind me to go into town next week and visit the COUNCIL HOUSE to check on this Freedom business. LOL :)”

“And while we're at it, let's get Bristol changed back to Brigstow!”

“Good point SVillePhil - back to Brigstowe - well done - 11 out of 10 - I'm now going to check on the footie - someone has said Rovers are off the bottom - after all both teams have been propping up all the other teams - but, don't lets start talking about about Bristol's Football teams, or the Bristol Old Vic !!!!!!”

“And I've just remembered one of my Uncles was a Labour councillor for the St. Pauls ward in the 1950s - sorry Mr. Mayor - think again - COUNCIL HOUSE, COUNCIL HOUSE , COUNCIL HOUSE. And from 1942 - 1964, guess where I lived - yes, you've got it in a Council House. :)”

“City Hall.”

“"The name of the so called City Hall is incorrect - it's been a COUNCIL HOUSE for over 300 years, and it is now again the COUNCIL HOUSE"

As I pointed out earlier, that is not the case. It's only been in use since 1956.”

“Of all the things about current local politics this is what you're upset about? Get a hobby pal.”

“Got to move with the times, I suppose. "City Hall" sounds a better place to do business for a thriving progressive city, or Bristol for that matter. "Council house" sounds like somewhere you rent if you can't afford a deposit. I've been here 36 years now, and I'm not the only immigrant who thought it was an endearing joke. But this is a city where young mums born in 1990 still gets their family allowance (abolished 1971), so I guess it will take time. We can always change it back if everyone thinks it a good idea, but let's consider the dignity of the few people still working there.”

“Bristol City Council meet - where - THE COUNCIL HOUSE.”

“City Hall.”

“COUNCIL HOUSE - HAS BEEN FOR 8OO YEARS - WILL NOT BE OVERTURNED BY A MAYOR WHO WAS AND IS NOT WANTED - SORRY POLYPHASE.”

“Oooh. Capital letters!! Calm down dear..... City Hall.”

“I have love - I'm off to bed now - nite - nite.”

“It's called City Hall, and thank goodness we have a Mayor who is not afraid to make changes - let's hope he can make Bristol the 21st Century city it should be, and not keep harping back to the past”

“One learns from the past (Tony Blair - take note). Sorry I don't care a s....... what Mr. Mayor proclaimed within a few hours of taking office - it has been COUNCIL HOUSE for 800 years, and it stays COUNCIL HOUSE.
I bet you citzenbris that my outlook is far more forward looking and modern than yours is, and ever likely to be.
Cheers for now - enjoy the rest of your day.”

“City Hall.”

“Incorrect - Council House - sorry mate.”

“City Hall.”

“Its just like people living in Bombay,who still call it Bombay and not Mumbai,The Council House will always be The Council House to me just as Southmead Hospital will be referred to by its historical name.”

“It's called City Hall now though.”

“If they really must have a City Hall perhaps they should have been less hasty and given the name to the new block of offices at Temple Meads.”

“Very true. But it's too late for that now. As what used to be the dreary old Council House is now called City Hall.”