10 March 2026, St Mary’s Church Hall, 7.30pm.
Edward Jenner and Smallpox
A talk by Gareth Williams.
In an experiment 230 years ago that today would be an awful breach of medical ethics, a local physician took pus from a woman infected with cowpox and injected it into an 8-year-old boy. The outcome of that reckless action has been the total eradication of one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity and the saving of millions of lives.
Professor Gareth Williams will tell the colourful story of Edward Jenner’s life as a doctor, scientist, musician, poet – and a disorganised experimenter who took over 30 years to put his cowpox theory to the test.
Gareth Williams trained in medicine in Cambridge, London and Geneva and has been Dean of Medicine at Bristol University and chair of trustees at the Edward Jenner Museum. Among many other books, he is the author of Angel of Death: The Story of Smallpox.
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).
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.
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: 
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:
The members are Chair: Gill Cox; Secretary: Ann Moore; Treasurer: John Brimacombe; Members: Viv Burney, Stan Morrissey.
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 Severn Bridge Disaster.
On the night of 25 October 1960, in thick fog near Sharpness dock, two oil barges hit the bridge, partly demolishing it and killing five sailors. Paul Barnett told our January meeting the story of the disaster and its aftermath.
Stan Morrissey’s report is here:
The Thornbury Workhouse.
Tony Cherry outlined for our December meeting the story of the creation 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.
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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