This is our full programme for the new season, which surely offers something of interest to everyone through the year.
Meetings are at St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury. They begin at 7.30pm and last about 90 minutes, usually with a break for free refreshments (tea/coffee and biscuits).
13 October 2026
The Americans in Bristol in WWII
Oliver Davey
See below for details: 
10 November 2026
Gloucester and the slave trade
Tony Condor
8 December 2026
A history of this Society
Meg Wise
12 January 2027
Die Hard in Spain: Hector Maclaine
Ben Mallett
9 February 2027
Woodchester Mansion – an unfinished masterpiece
Liz Davenport
9 March 2027
Update on the Alveston Archaeological dig and other local discoveries
Aaron Girdlestone
13 April 2027
The Cotswold Canal Trust
Louise Nicholson
11 May 2027
A Blue Plaque tour of Gloucestershire
Andy Mellor
Please note this programme may be subject to change.
13 October 2026, St Mary’s Church Hall, 7.30pm.
The Americans in Bristol in WWII
An illustrated talk by Oliver Davey.
Oliver will lead a virtual tour round Bristol, visiting key sites for the US Forces in the build up to D-Day, including Thornbury, Yate and Chipping Sodbury. The tour will encompass ships and warplanes, Anglo-American marriages, life-long friendships and emotional departures. It will also look at African-American servicemen, welcomed to the city but facing prejudice from their fellow countrymen.
Oliver Davey grew up in Thornbury with tales of his grandfather’s stories of the Second World War. He learned his great aunt had married an American GI and was curious to find out more. He soon realised the story of Americans in Bristol in the war hadn’t been researched in depth.
We were created just after the Second World War under the name of the Society of Thornbury Folk. Eighty years and three changes of name later we’re still here. We will be celebrating the anniversary with Meg Wise’s talk about our history at the December meeting. She will greatly enlarge the story we tell here:
Subscriptions are now due for the 2026-27 season. We are very pleased to have been able to keep the fee at £12.00.
Existing members receive a reminder by email. New members can join by contacting us through our online contact form ; our treasurer will respond with bank transfer details. Or you can pay at the first meeting you attend.
Non-members can come as a visitor for a single meeting by paying £3.50 at the door.
Berkeley castle and the Berkeley family
A dramatic story: royal visits and seizures, a king’s imprisonment (and possible murder), the last private battle on English soil, Civil War deals that saved the castle, and a Georgian scandal over a questionable marriage.
Stan Morrissey’s report is here:
We have for decades prepared summaries of our talks, which have appeared in the Thornbury Magazine and elsewhere, and which collectively make up an informative and often witty record.
Those for the 2020 to 2026 seasons are now online. See the index here: More than 80 reports of older meetings may be found on our page on myThornbury:
The members are Chair: Gill Cox; Secretary: Ann Moore; Treasurer: John Brimacombe; Members: Viv Burney, Stan Morrissey and Liz Roberts.
We would like more committee members to ensure that the monthly talks run smoothly. If you would like to help, please tell us via the contact form or speak to one of us at the next meeting.
If you have any questions regarding the Society or want to become more involved, then please do not hesitate to send us a message through our online contact form:
Follow us on Facebook
See our page on MyThornbury
Some other sites you may find interesting:
Thornbury and District Museum
Thornbury Roots
Avon Local History and Archaeology
Gloucestershire Local History Association
British Association of Local History