Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust Welcomes New Archivist to Enhance Heritage Preservation
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The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Verity Jones as its new Bridge Archivist, a crucial position dedicated to safeguarding the rich heritage of one of Bristol’s most celebrated landmarks.
This appointment comes at an important moment for the Trust, following the Museum’s recent achievement of full accreditation. This accolade highlights the Trust’s dedication to maintaining professional standards in collections care, public engagement, and historical preservation. The role of Bridge Archivist is essential for the stewardship of the museum’s artefacts, ensuring that the legacy of Bristol’s historic bridge remains accessible to all for generations to come.
Verity brings extensive experience to her new role, having held various archival positions at esteemed institutions such as the UK Parliament, Imperial College London, and the University of the Arts London. A native of the South West, she returns to the region with a strong commitment to making history engaging and accessible for everyone.
In her capacity as Bridge Archivist, Verity will manage the bridge’s extensive archive collection, cataloguing historical records that narrate the story of the bridge’s construction, the charitable trust’s role in its maintenance, and its lasting significance within Bristol’s cultural landscape. She is particularly enthusiastic about enhancing public access to the archive, with plans to refresh the museum’s mezzanine displays every six months and to explore future digitisation initiatives through free platforms such as Bloomberg Connect.
Commenting on her new role, Verity Jones stated, “The archive is a powerful tool for storytelling. It reveals not just the engineering marvel of Brunel’s design, but the community and charitable efforts that have sustained the bridge for generations. I’m thrilled to help bring these stories to life for researchers, tourists, and local residents alike.”
With Verity’s support, the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust aims to strengthen its engagement with schools and colleges, building on existing partnerships to inspire young people through historical documents and photographs. Verity’s fresh insights and broad archival expertise will bolster the Trust’s vision of making the bridge’s history more inclusive, accessible, and relevant for future generations.
Tristan Ralph, Bridgemaster at the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, commented, “Verity’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum. Her work will ensure that Brunel’s legacy continues to resonate not only with historians and engineers, but with the wider Bristol community and visitors from around the world.”
For more information about the Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum and its archive, visit www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/history.
