Curiosity UnLtd Honours Bristol’s Civil Rights Legacy with ‘Sit-in’ Tribute

Curiosity UnLtd, in partnership with Clear Channel, commemorated a pivotal moment in Britain’s civil rights history with a tribute to Paul Stephenson and the 60th anniversary of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott. Activists, community leaders, and pioneers of the Boycott gathered at the Bay Horse Pub on 25 October for a mass sit-in, paying homage to Paul Stephenson’s protest of the pub’s discriminatory Colour Bar policy.

In 1964, Paul Stephenson OBE, staged a one-person sit-in at the Bay Horse pub to challenge the policy. His arrest and subsequent trial gained national attention and influenced the eventual passage of the Race Relations Act of 1965, the UK’s first anti-racist law.

In recognition of the occasion, the pub’s current operator formally apologised for the injustices that took place there. Mark Howe, business development manager, said, “I want to take this moment to apologise for The Bay Horse's role, which meant that Paul had to take a stand that day 60 years ago. Everyone involved with the pub wants to wholeheartedly apologise to Paul for the treatment he received that day. This apology is not only to Paul Stephenson himself for the terrible actions on that day in 1964 but also to the whole community whom this affected.”

The pub also launched The Sit-In, a new IPA-style beer, and unveiled a brass plaque outside the Bay Horse Pub as Bristol’s first public monument to Paul’s achievements. Inside the pub, a dedicated space called Paul’s Corner invites visitors to learn about Stephenson’s life and contributions to UK civil rights.

About the day’s events, Julz Davis, disruptor-in-chief at Curiosity UnLtd, said, “We stand on the shoulders of giants, and none were broader than Paul Stephenson’s. Because of his unwavering fight for racial justice, he laid an enduring blueprint for positive change. Paul is a national treasure and inspiration to current and future generations of changemakers. Like Martin Luther King, his words, deeds, and legacy should be an essential part of the national curriculum.”

Designs4Change competition

Earlier that day, Curiosity UnLtd and Clear Channel, one of the UK’s leading media and infrastructure providers, announced the four winners of the Designs4Change competition. Initially launched on Martin Luther King Day, the competition invited the public to create artwork commemorating 60 years of the Bristol Bus Boycott. Led by Paul Stephenson, it began when the Bristol Omnibus Company refused to employ Black or Asian bus crews. Garnering nationwide support, the company capitulated on August 28, 1963, the same day Martin Luther King delivered his iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech.  

The competition received over 150 submissions from across the UK. The four winning designs - by Gwen Balmer, Amara Lawrence, Martha Clarke, and Marcia Brown - are now displayed on Clear Channel's bus shelters and digital screens across Bristol, where the company owns and operates a wide network, for the next year.

Gwen Balmer, who celebrated her 18th birthday on the day, said, “I wanted to honour the most influential figures and groups involved in the boycott by presenting their names on protest banners. At the same time, I wanted to make the whole piece colourful and dynamic to amplify the progress and determination of Bristol's Black community for the 60th anniversary.”

Martha Clarke, the youngest Designs4Change winner, a year five student from Two Mile Hill Primary in Kingswood, Bristol, said, "I, my family, and my school friends are so chuffed. I still can't believe my artwork won and is featured on bus stops across the city. My idea celebrates the impact made by the pioneers because of their amazing actions. I hope people like my work."

Helen Green, social value coordinator at Clear Channel, commented, “We were overwhelmed by the 150+ submissions we received! Every single one of the high-quality designs submitted truly captured the spirit and significance of the Bristol Bus Boycott and its role in advancing social justice. Selecting the final four winners was no easy task, but as a Platform for Good, we were proud to do so, and we’re even more proud to showcase these incredible artworks across Bristol.”

Each poster features a QR code that links to more information about the artist and their design. The public is invited to view the winning Designs4Change posters at bus stops across Bristol or see them on the big screen at We The Curious in Millennium Square. Visitors to the Bay Horse Pub can also learn about Paul Stephenson's legacy while enjoying a pint of The Sit-In IPA.