13 January 2026, St Mary’s Church Hall, 7.30pm.
The Severn Bridge Disaster
An illustrated talk by Paul Barnett.
On the night of 25 October 1960, tragedy struck in thick fog on a treacherous stretch of the Severn near Sharpness Dock. Two oil tankers collided and hit the bridge, partly demolishing it, starting a fire and killing five crewmen. Paul Barnett tells the story of the disaster and its aftermath.
Paul Barnett is from a seafaring family and served in the royal and merchant navies, ending his career as a hydrographic surveyor. He has spent decades researching the ships’ graveyards at Purton and elsewhere on the river, recording his findings in his book Fore and Aft: Lost Ships of the Severn Seas.
Meetings are at St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury on the second Tuesday of each month between October and May. They begin at 7.30pm and last about 90 minutes, usually with a break for free refreshments (tea/coffee and biscuits).
10 February 2026
Princess Cariboo, Almondsbury’s Princess
Tom Sanday
10 March 2026
Edward Jenner and Smallpox
Gareth Williams
14 April 2026
“I predict a Riot”: the real story of the 1831 Bristol uprising
Garry Atterton
12 May 2026
From fortress to family home: Berkeley castle and the Berkeley family
Jane Handoll
This programme may be subject to change.
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: 
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.
The Thornbury Workhouse.
Tony Cherry told our November meeting the story of the Thornbury Workhouse and its harsh regime.
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:
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.
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 members are Chair: Gill Cox; Secretary: Ann Moore; Treasurer: John Brimacombe; Members: Viv Burney, Stan Morrissey.
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