History

Tetbury's past hasn't been a notorious one, like nearby Bath or Cirencester. Tetbury led a quiet existence, sat on the Roman road which linked the two better-known towns.

Wars were fought on the other side of the country, and Tetbury was allowed to prosper from its wool and agricultural market which was in existence when John Hexham wrote his own miniature Domesday Book in 1594.

Its success as a market town was heralded by Rudder, who called it the third most important town in Gloucestershire. The town became run by an Oligarchy, called the Feoffees, who are still here today, but in a lesser role, following the diminishment of their powers.

Judging by the number of buildings from that era, the seventeenth century was a boom period for the town. As the wool trade declined, Tetbury lost its specialist status and became a general market town, still connecting many cities such as Bristol and London. Unaffected by the Industrial Revolution, Tetbury remained fairly static until the Second World War, by which time a new school had been built, a Common was enclosed by buildings, and another church was constructed.

A railway was built, and then closed later during the Beeching reforms of the 1960s. Tetbury gained fame by being in the area patrolled by the world-famous Beaufort Hunt. In the later 1900's, the Industrial Estate was built, bringing new trade to the town, and quarrying began near to the town. A new school was built to the North of the town, and a Leisure Centre followed. Royal neighbours now provide Tetbury's main source of fame, as well as employment for those working on the Duchy estate belonging to Prince Charles.

Tetbury's past in pictures
provided by Paul Best

Tetbury's population has changed with national trends. The typical resident is older than it used to be, while numbers at the local schools are declining quite quickly. In 2007 the secondary school lost its Sixth Form, meaning 16-18 year olds have to travel to Cirencester or Stroud. The number of classes in each year has been reduced and the number of rooms being used has fallen too.

Tetbury's changing population owes much to personal preference, but also to the housing market. The typical house price in the Cotswolds - and in Tetbury especially - is now considerably higher than the British average, and many young families find they cannot afford to buy a home in the town. Local councils are trying to reverse the loss of young families, but are making slow progress. Many new developments are aimed at commuters, and there are a number of 'second homes' for people who work in London or further afield.

Often confused as being a village (the distinction is the presence of a market), Tetbury has had its town status boosted by its first supermarkets: Somerfield and later, Tesco. The use of the car has also led to Tetbury's need for new housing, as people commute to local towns and cities.

Perhaps the town centre was in danger of following many by becoming less vibrant, as shoppers flocked to larger centres. But while some of the more traditional shops are starting to move out, there hasn't been the 'ghetto-isation' seen in many other rural towns. The town still retains a bakery and butchers, although not a greengrocer. Competition in the town centre is less with itself and more with the supermarkets. Yet the town hasn't lost any of its character, and remains a popular attraction simply because in many ways it hasn't changed. As Tetbury strides into the 21st Century, it seems clear the future of the town is not as bleak as some of the doom-mongers predicted in the 20th.

The History of Tetbury Society has regular meetings to discover more about the history of the town.

> Books about Tetbury
> Tetbury Families website
> Genealogy message board

Bibliography: Tetbury - The Place and People