Historical Society
The Society
The society was formed in 1966 to "promote interest in the history of Olveston and the surrounding areas and to collect and preserve documentary and photographic records". The Society meets at the Methodist Church on the first Wednesday of each month from October to April. Talks usually have a local connection, either through the subject matter or the speaker. In the summer months we usually have two trips, often following up talks given during the previous winter. Visitors are always very welcome at all our meetings.
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OLVESTON PARISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMME: Oct 2026 - April 2027 We have a new venue! All meetings take place in the Wyke Hall (the main school hall) at Olveston School, Elberton Road, Olveston BS35 4DB at 7.30pm, with refreshments served before the start of the meeting. Parking is available in the school playground. Annual membership is £10, payable on the door - covers all seven talks and refreshments. Cash or cheques only, please. Visitor fee is £3 per evening, payable on the door - includes refreshments All welcome! Anyone can join or visit. |
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Wed. 7 Oct 2026 |
Welcome, all! After a short AGM, Brian Kemp will share more of his research into Olveston Court and Manor. The talk will cover the Saxon origins of Olveston, Robert Gyen’s rise and then spectacular fall from grace, the royal visit of 1502, white slavery and the Quakers. Copies of his updated book with more text and illustrations will be on sale. |
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Wed. 4 Nov. 2026 |
With many coal miners signing up to fight in the Second World War, by 1943 coal supply was becoming critical. Jackie Swift will tell the rarely heard story of Bevin Boys: the forgotten conscripts and the story of their war. You’re bound to be surprised by what she has to say. |
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Wed. 2 Dec. 2026 |
Ann Taylor and Ian Mackintosh will be delivering a two-person presentation about 400 Years of Stroudwater Textile Mills, describing the processes involved in the local broadcloth industry and passing round real artefacts for audience members to see and feel. |
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Wed. 6 Jan. 2027 |
The return of the 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry to England this year was a big, carefully choreographed event, ahead of the tapestry going on show at the British Museum (from Sept. 2026 to July 2027). Benjamin Pohl, of Bristol University, has produced A New Interpretation of the Bayeux Tapestry - with particular focus on the intended home for the tapestry once it was made. Where and for whom was it originally displayed? |
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Wed. 3 Feb. 2027 |
In Staying Curious - engaging with local heritage, Gail Boyle, ex-head of Bristol Museums’ archaeology collections and a lively and engaging public speaker, will be sharing her own experiences of researching a local place through the lens of different, easily available resources. One object, one photo, one newspaper article can lead us on fascinating journeys of discovery… Come and be inspired! |
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Wed. 3 Mar. 2027 |
Claire Dimond Mills, a resident of Box in Wiltshire, will be telling us about the difficult and dangerous enterprise of Building Brunel's Box Tunnel. She will include something about the engineering aspects of the nearly two-mile-long railway tunnel, which opened in 1841, but her main emphasis will be on the social context and the human stories behind the building of the tunnel. |
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Wed. 7 Apr. 2027 |
Stella Evans will be coming from Newport to tell us about Shackleton’s Endurance Expedition and the Newport Stowaway. We think OPHS members and visitors will enjoy hearing this engaging talk about an accidental Antarctic explorer. |
Contact details for Olveston Parish Historical Society:
- Chair and principal contact: Richard Newley 01454 202011
- Programme Secretary & Secretary: Jenny Newley 01454 202011
- Membership Secretary & Treasurer: Anne Young 01454 412528
- Holder of the society's publications: Richard Newley 01454 202011
'FOR THE LOVE OF OLVESTON' by STEVE HUMPHRIES
This book, written by Steve Humphries, tells the story of the parish through the memories of Eric Garrett, Jean Panes, Nigel Dawes, Ted Addis, Angela Shepherd and other local people aged around ninety, whom Steve (an acclaimed oral history documentary film maker and author) has recently interviewed.
Illustrated with over 100 photographs, the book can be bought for £10, through Olveston Parish Historical Society, to whom Steve is generously donating any profits. The first two print runs sold out but we have had a recent reprint and copies of the book are now available again. Don't miss out!
To buy a copy of the book, please ring Jenny or Richard on 01454 202011
DIGITISED RECORDS OF LOCAL MANORIAL COURT LEETS
OPHS has a project under way to digitise four volumes of Manorial Court Records. All have been transcribed by Society volunteers and will be put on this website when they have been fully proofread and indexed.
A Record of Court Leets for the Manor of Elberton, from 1776 to 1830 and from 1859 to 1870: is now fully transcribed, proofread and indexed - available here.
A Record of Court Leets for the Manor of Olveston, from 1775 to 1830: coming soon.
Two further volumes, covering Elberton & Olveston from 1735 to 1774/5, have been fully transcribed and have still to be fully proofread and indexed.
GRAVEYARD SURVEY
Scroll down the page to find the 'Graveyard Survey' link. Here you can find out all about the Historical Society's project to transcribe and digitise the transcriptions of all the graves and memorials in Olveston church and churchyard.
You can use these links to find out more about:
- Graveyard Survey
- Publications
- Historical Buildings
- Tour of the Parish
- A Brief History of Olveston
- History Links
This photo shows an OPHS trip to Owlpen Manor in Gloucestershire
