The Goldney Family have undeniable links to slavery.[1]  

Thomas Goldney II funded several voyages which trafficked enslaved Africans, as written in the University of Bristol’s Legacies of Slavery Report. Profits from this immoral trade contributed towards the expansion and improvement of Goldney House. In addition, these profits funded the creation of manillas (a type of currency), which were used to trade for enslaved people. Goldney House has a tainted legacy, which is at odds with the inclusive values of the University of Bristol.

Speaking about the recent renaming, the Vice Chancellor Evelyn Welch said, ‘Colston was not a donor to the University and had no relationship with the institution or its predecessors’.[2] This was why the Colston residence was renamed and the Colston Dolphin removed from the University of Bristol Crest. Colston and Goldney are the same as they both have solely symbolic connections to the University and were involved in trafficking enslaved people. Neither family contributed financially or ‘had a relationship with the institution’.[3] Goldney, like Colston, is not part of the University’s history and therefore should be removed.

According to the University’s renaming criteria, Goldney House fits all the conditions, yet was absent from the VC’s statement over the findings of the consultation to rename buildings.[4] This was mishandled and will deter prospective students, particularly those from Black and minority ethnic communities, from attending the University. Removing this toxic brand, as was successfully achieved by Bristol Beacon, will only enrich the diversity and academic brilliance of the University of Bristol.

Updating the name of Goldney House would not only align with the University’s values but would also create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and staff. We recognise that it is important not to forget, but instead to champion histories beyond those of an enslavers’ perspective, which is why Goldney House must be renamed.

[1] https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/university/documents/anti-racism/building-renaming-consultation-engagement-report.pdf​, https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/university/documents/university-of-bristol-legacies-of-slavery-report.pdf​, https://www.thebristorian.co.uk/publichistory/colstonbristoluniversitycrestcontroversy​, https://www.thebristorian.co.uk/publichistory/https/goldneyhouseenslavement  
[2] https://www.bristol.ac.uk/university/anti-racism-at-bristol/taking-action/response/
[3] Ibid
[4] https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/university/documents/anti-racism/building-renaming-consultation-engagement-report.pdf, p.20

Picture is from the University of Bristol's website, https://www.bristol.ac.uk/venues/meetings/goldney-house/