On Thursday 22 January 2026, a blue plaque was unveiled at the corner of Broadbury Road and Bert Abrams Close, Knowle West, Bristol BS4 1JT by the Right Honourable the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Andrew Varney.
The plaque commemorates Arthur (Bert) Abrams and the Panel had no hesitation in approving the application from the outset. Just look at his achievements:
- Joined the Broad Plain House youth club/Sunday school in 1926, teaching gymnastics and retired as Warden in 1978 after an astonishing 52 years in post.
- Set up four other boys’ clubs in south Bristol.
- Represented Hengrove Ward as a Labour councillor for 27 years.
- Awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 1976 for services to youth.
- Conducted international research on youth work during the 1970s and 1980s through a London Foundation.
Although Bert Abrams resided in Portishead, we opted to place the plaque in a more appropriate location – a suburb where he contributed so much – Knowle West. In 2021, plans were approved to demolish an unused part of the Broad Plain House youth club in Broadbury Road to make way for 47 new affordable homes. We approached the developer Curo Group and they were eager to assist us. The entrance to the original building was flanked by tall brick pillars; these have been reinstated and one of the pillars provides a splendid pedestal for the plaque.
The unveiling event was attended by representatives from the housing developer and the contractor. Our grateful thanks go to Mukhtar Ali of Curo Group for financing the plaque and for arranging refreshments afterwards at the Knowle West Media Centre. And thanks also to Jim Smith and Filwood Chase History Society for their involvement and help throughout.
What made the day truly memorable were the personal stories shared by local residents who spoke of Bert Abrams’s influence on their lives and the wider community. One resident even recalled suggesting the name ‘Bert Abrams Close’ for the new street – a fitting tribute to the man’s legacy and an engaging accompaniment to our plaque.
Gordon Young
In the featured image, from the left: Jim Smith, Chair of Filwood Chase History Society, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Andrew Varney and the chair of the Civic Society, Sandra Fryer.