1897 Kellys Directory

NB this is a summary of much more information.

Thornbury is a parish, market and union town and a terminus of a branch from Yate of the Midland Railway.  The town is lighted by gas by a company from works in Back Church Lane and is partially supplied with water from  reservoir at Grovesend and the property of the Midland Railway Company and from local wells. In 1888 Handel Cossham esq  MP (died 1890) presented to the town the Hall called Cossham Hall which is used for concerts and lectures and will accommodate about 500 persons built in 1789, enlarged 1835.

The Corporation consisting of a Mayor and 12 Aldermen, but with no municipal authority has become extinct under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act 1883 and its income devoted to charitable causes.

The Population.  In 1891 there were 4152 in the parish, including 11 officers and 85 inmates in the workhouse and 3918 in the town, of which 2671 are attached to the parish church.

Thornbury Union The population of the Union in 1891 was 16,765.  Board of Guardians meet every alternate Friday at the Union Workhouse at 11am.  The Union Workhouse, Gloucester Road Thornbury was built in 1840 to hold 300 inmates. Edward Mills Grace LRCP  (Edin) medical officer, John Ford master, Mrs A Ford matron.

The Almshouses – founded in the sixteenth century by Sir John Stafford in the Back St are for six aged women. In addition there are two almshouses in the Back St.

Thornbury Rural District Council meets every Friday fortnight at the Thornbury Guardians Board Room, Workhouse at 10.15am.

County Court.  His Honour Arthur Beecher Ellicott B.A, judge; Henry Hume Lloyd registrar and high bailiff, George Henry Exell, bailiff. The Court is held at the Petty Sessional Court house (days fixed by the judge) six courts during the year.

Petty Sessional Court.  Petty Sessions are held daily at the Petty Sessional Court House at 10am.

County Police Station built 1860, High St.  Robert Clark, Sergeant and constables.

Carriers to Bristol. Henry Baylis & William Underhill daily.

Churches.  St Mary’s Church, a Baptist Chapel in St John St, a Congregational Chapel in Chapel St, St Paul’s Mission Church, Buckover and a Wesleyan Chapel in High St

Schools. Grammar School founded in 1606.  Average attendance 24.  National School (mixed) built in 1862.  Average attendance 132.  British School (mixed) built in 1862. Average attendance 179.  National School (infants) Buckover built in 1876.  Average attendance 44.  British School (infants) built in 1794.  Average attendance 75.

Post Office – Henry Robbins, postmaster.  Letters arrive at 7am and 3.15pm, and are despatched at 10am, 4.30pm, 6pm and 7.00pm.

Markets. There is a market for the sale of cattle, sheep, pigs and cheese held on every second Wednesday, in each month.  The Horticultural Society of Thornbury and District holds a show annually in August.

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