Ladies' mile

by Victoria Hughes, David Foot

67 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Ellen-Arwen Tristram · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a little gem of local history for me - it's not necessarily well-written or amazing literature, but it's just fab that a book like this exists! It's Victoria Hughes' own memoir of working as a toilet attendant in Bristol, starting part time very high end in Clifton next to Clifton Suspension Bridge and eventually working full-time at the toilets at the top of Ladies' Mile. There's a statue of her here to this day; what a woman!

She was naive and really out of her depth as a lot of her 'clients' were prostitutes; she didn't even understand that, she was so 'green' to begin with! But she makes friends, enemies, and generally observes the lives of these working women. There is a certain amount of snobbery, but really, for the time and her position, it's amazing the compassion she showed these poor women. She isn't a writer, and I would have loved some more fleshing out of the vignettes, but it's a treasure that this exists at all. The book went out of print, and was brought back to life by a few Bristol scholars in 2023, so thank you to them!

Fascinating reading, and what a woman she was! For her era, she was actually very enlightened and sympathetic. Also, how strange to think that public toilets once had offices and the facilities to make clients cups of tea! Very niche, but that's part of the beauty.

[Tim Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, why is this out of print? It is a real gem. It's unlike any other portrayal of prostitution, I think because although Hughes sees herself as non-judgemental she is often judging people. She's very authentically herself, a real person, not an ideological mouthpiece nor campaigning. It's just her strange life experiences as she experienced them.

[Miss H · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great, evocative read. Some of her turns of phrase are a little bit outdated for today's audiences, but personally I appreciate it's been left alone so we can read it exactly as it was written. For anyone interested in a copy, the book was reprinted in 2023 and is available online through bristolreadbooks. All profits go to the hopeful restoration of the toilets.

[MR KEVIN ANDREW BEER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this,a great read...out of print since 1977 & recently republished by BristolRead Books (2023) after a crowd funding campaign...quite the labour of love!

"...proceeds from book sales will go towards the refurbishment of the iconic Victorian cloakroom on Stoke Road at Durdham Down,the subject of this significant story"

Grab a copy while you can!

Can be bought direct from the publisher...details at bristolreadbooks.com
info@bristolreadbooks.com

[Vanessa Rawlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So pleased to find this book back in print - read it years ago and have been trying to locate a copy for ages - it was good to reread, especially because it was written by someone from a humble, ordinary background - not a voice you often hear in history

[Mrs Sally Goulding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical record of Ladies Mile that I never knew about.