When you arrive at GZ you are stood just off the main road that runs through an area of the city that is known as Stokes Croft. The road became a centre of industry during the mid-19th century, including the carriage works. After large-scale bombing in world war II, the area rebuilt itself as a centre of art, music and counter-cultural lifestyle and has pioneered a liberal attitude towards street art.
The road takes its name from John Stokes, mayor of Bristol in the late 14th century, his will recorded the area as "Berewykse Croft in Redeland", while the will of Nicholas Excestre, who died in 1434, named it "formerly John Stoke’s close. It runs through the historic manor of Barton, which was recorded in the domesday book and part of the City of Bristol since 1373.
Stokes Croft was predominantly rural until around 1700, being mainly used for market gardening. Urban development was first logged in the parish records of 1678, while St James Square, to the west of Stokes Croft, was laid out by around 1710.
Though industries were established on Stokes Croft during the 18th century, the road was not fully developed and built-up until around 1850. Construction of the carrage works at No. 104 began in 1859, while the city road Baptist church was built in 1861.
The road was damaged badly in world war II, when Bristol was extensively bombed, destroying many buildings on and around Stokes Croft. Post-war redevelopment was slow, as Bristol City Council tended to concentrate on building offices to the south, closer to the city centre, and social housing to the north, towards Gloucester Road. Owing to the lack of large-scale development, small and independent businesses set up on Stokes Croft, which contributed to the bohemian character of the street.
In April 2011, the local community protested against the opening of a new store by a large corporation, several small scale protests took place both inside and outside the store. However on the evening of 21 April 2011, immediately before the easter bank holiday weekend, there was a riot in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol. The night's operation cost around £465,000 and involved 160 officers from 12 different forces, including Avon & Somerset.
The riot followed a raid by police on a squat named Telepathic Heights. A protest ensued, and the police withdrew, however at 9 pm that evening, riot police blockaded the area and entered the squat. A crowd quickly gathered, with approximately 300 people defending the squat, and a further 1000 caught up in the mayhem. The reason for the operation given by the police was that they held intelligence that petrol bombs were on the premises designated for the new store development opposite.
This is todate the busiest Muggle Junction cache in the series so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE USE SUPER STEALTH!!!
Ensure that this cache is replaced as found to allow others the enjoyment of the search and find.
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