14 April 2026, St Mary’s Church Hall, 7.30pm.
“I predict a Riot”: The real story of the 1831 Bristol uprising
A talk by Garry Atterton.
The 1831 Bristol riots resulted in great loss of life and the destruction of many historical buildings. Garry Atterton questions the view that the riots were caused by a drunken mob, arguing that at root they were an uprising by oppressed Bristol people against the ruling classes of the city. Wider public reaction to the riots influenced debate on changes to the national electoral system.
Garry Atterton is a retired teacher who has spent many years researching and sharing stories of social history in the Bristol region. His research covers working conditions in factories and coalmines, the impact of so-called slum clearances and the support given by the Bristol community to Jewish refugees during the early years of the Second World War.
St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury. The meeting starts at 7.30pm, with a break for free refreshments (tea/coffee and biscuits).
12 May 2026
From fortress to family home: Berkeley castle and the Berkeley family
Jane Handoll
The members are Chair: Gill Cox; Secretary: Ann Moore; Treasurer: John Brimacombe; Members: Viv Burney, Stan Morrissey and Liz Roberts.
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Princess Caraboo of Almondsbury.
A young woman arrived in the village in April 1817, claimng to be an East Indies princess who had been abducted by pirates and brought to England. She rapidly became famous and feted by society, only to be unmasked as a cobbler’s daughter from Devon. Tom Sanday told her extraordinary story at our February meeting.
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 2025 seasons are now online. See the index here: More than 80 reports of older meetings may be found on our page on myThornbury:
We were created just after the Second World War under the name of the Society of Thornbury Folk. Nearly 80 years and three changes of name later we’re still here. Read about our history:
The subscription for the 2025-26 season is £12.00 or you can come as a visitor for a single meeting by paying £3.50 at the door. There is no reduction for joining part way through the membership year.
New members can join by contacting our treasurer through the online contact form , who will respond with bank transfer details. Or you can pay at the first meeting you attend.
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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