Warmley Historical Timeline 1086 – 1899

Historical Timeline of Facts & Events for Warmley & hamlets and villages of old Gloucestershire. (now South Gloucestershire)

1086 – Bitton mentioned in Doomsday Book. (Boyton – village/town on River Boyd) Oldland mentioned in Doomsday Book. (Aldelade – old tract of land) The "land" was owned by Osbern, Bishop of Exeter.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2038210282/in/se…

The area has had many other names down the years including: Holande, Oldelond, Wholdland (1564), Wooland (in Elizabethan era), Ouldland (1661), and Eland.

Warmley is not mentioned but derives from either – place by the weir or forest glade infested with reptiles. AKA Warmeleye, The Warmley, Warrer Leah, Warrenley (Rabbits were "farmed" on nearby Siston Common ).

Cadbury Heath, again not mentioned but derives – Cada’s place by the iron age fort. AKA Conigree Heath, Cabby Jeff, Cadbra Heath.

1100(circa) – St Anne’s Church at Siston was built on the site of a five hundred year old Celtic temple.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2039314895/

1298 – Lady Chapel built as addition to St Mary’s Church in Bitton.

www.bittonstmarys.org.uk/history.html

1280(circa) – Oldland Chapel is built (St Anne’s Church is built on this site.)

stanneschurcholdland.org.uk/

1377 (Death of Edward III) Tower is added to St Mary’s Church in Bitton. (original church dates back to Norman times.)

1598 – Siston Court built at Siston opposite St Anne’s Church.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2039314625/

1600 (circa) (Death of Elizabeth I 1603) Crown Farm built at what is now Tower Road North in Warmley. The farm was one of the oldest known buildings in the area. Used for a time by Warmley Rural District Council as a meeting room.

1685 (Death of Charles II 1685) Duke of Monmouth camped at Oldland prior to the Battle of Sedgemoor. (Cromwell stayed at Hanham Hall & Siston Court.)

1700(circa) Crown Hotel built in High Street Warmley. Became the Midland Railway Hotel. Renamed in the 1970’s becoming The Midland Spinner.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2036758037/

1712 – Willsbridge Mill built for rolling and splitting hoop iron by John Pearsall. see my Willsbridge photostream. Built on the site of the old manor house of Oldland.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2039314529/

1719 – Bridgeyate House is built at Bridgeyate. (AKA Breachgate).

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2039314709/

1727 – Abraham Caines of Oldland was hanged at Gloucester Prison, having been charged and found guilty of theft. At his trial, it was noted that he was a member of a gang of thieves, and rogues, some of whom were his brothers.

1730 – Ventilation Furnace (known as "Painter’s Pit") sunk in Bitton. Barrs Court Manor was demolished leaving just the moat and grounds (now a park)

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/3240276893/

1733 (Start of The Industrial Revolution in England)

1737 – William Champion patented a production method on the preparation of Zinc from ore.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/4022127488/

1745(circa) – The Clock Tower Building was built, it formed part of William Champion’s estate. AKA Champion’s Pin Factory.

www.warmleyclocktower.org.uk/history.htm

1746 – Champion’s Brassworks opened at Tower Road Warmley. (Tower Lane site) Brass, Copper and Zinc were produced as well as finished items like pins.

www.bittonfamilies.com/WarmleyBrassWorks.html

1754 – The Warmley works of Champion had ’15 copper furnaces, 12 brass furnaces, 4 spelter or zinc furnaces, a battery mill, rolling mills for making plates, rolling and cutting mills for wire, and a wire mill both of thick and fine drawn kinds’.

www.kingswoodmuseum.org.uk/

1755(circa) – Warmley grottos, ornamental lake and gardens constructed by William Champion.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2037555112/

1758 – John Champion obtained Patent No 726 for the ‘sole preparing, vending and selling of spelter or brass made from a mineral which has not hitherto been made use of for such purposes’. This mineral was Zinc Blende or Black Jack, the sulphide of zinc which was more plentiful than Calamine. A similar Patent is taken out by his brother, William, in 1767.

1761 – Oct – John Wesley preaches at North Common

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2039314553/

1766 – Richard Haynes (AKA Dick-Boy) Infamous Highway Robber from Oldland was born (Excecuted 1800)

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/3241713436/

1767 – The Warmley Company faces financial collapse. It is undertaking brass pin making on a considerable scale. It tried to make a massive expansion in its capacity which would seriously threaten the Bristol Brass Company’s existence and also that of pin makers in Gloucester.

Child pin makers (6-11 yrs) earned about 1p per day.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2132253513/

1768 (March) Champion is dismissed from the Warmley Company by his partners (he was discovered trying to get out his financial share of the company because he expected the inevitable collapse).

1769 – Champion is declared bankrupt and the works are put up for auction. It is finally purchased by the Bristol Brass Company but never reaches its old level of output again.

1778 – Bitton Vicarage is built.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/3414175602/

1780 – Rose Cottage , 94 West Street, Oldland is built. (birthplace of Sir Bernard Lovell in 1913)

1781(circa) By this year the Brass Battery, Wire & Copper Company of Bristol had moved its copper smelting operations to Warmley where it took advantage of being closer to its supplies of coal.

1784 Mangotsfield Murder ‘Whereas in the night of Thursday, 31st January last, the house of William Millard of the parish of Mangotsfield in the county of Gloucester, labourer, was broken open by forcing the kitchen window and early the next morning was found lying in his bed murdered in a most shocking manner, there appearing on him several mortal wounds, three on his face, one on his right eyebrow, another on his left cheek bone and on his lower lip, which appeared to have been made by a mattock or such like instrument used in the coalpit.’

Other injuries were found on the body: ‘a wound on his left breast, broken ribs and collar bone supposed caused by the butt end of a mattock.’

A man called Stallard was suspected: ‘a thin faced man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, a pale sallow complexion and short straight black hair and wearing a flapped hat and a light coloured coat that appears to have been turned, having offered for sale to a broker in Bristol a pair of old leather breeches and a white flannel jacket, the property of the deceased.

‘Whoever will apprehend the above Stallard for any person to be convicted of the murder shall receive a reward of 10 guineas. ‘Apply Edward Nicholls, overseer of the parish of Mangotsfield.’

Poor Mr Millard was buried at Mangotsfield on the 5th February. Thomas Stallard was apprehended at Points Pool, now in St Judes, but then in the outparish of St Philip’s and taken to Gloucester Gaol for trial at the next assizes.

1786 – A report from the Bristol Gazette dated 23 April said that Fry and Ward, now under sentence of death,made ten persons who had died on the gallows within 3 years from the Parish of Bitton (Kingswood and Hanham was in that Parish). The gang to which these miscreants belonged kept the neighbourhood of Bitton in so much dread that people used to pay them an annual stipend not to rob them of their poultry and other things. The protection money was usually paid annually at Lansdown Fair.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/3319337224/

1795 – 26 or possibly only 5 miners are drowned when Hole Lane Pit in Warmley is flooded (accounts vary).

1799 (Income Tax introduced) – Monmouth Lent Assizes 1799, George Caines of Oldland one year’s imprisonment for passing counterfeit money. When arrested,at Pontypool with his cousin Francis Britton of Bitton, both men were found to be in possession of a number of forged guineas, and it was said of them, that they belonged to a local gang, who frequented country fairs as hawkers and pedlars.

1800 – First recorded Smallpox epidemic in Warmley area.

1804 – Siston Hill Colliery opened. (closed in the 1870’s)

1804 – July, four men were taken into custody in the city of Bath, charged with the theft of more than £400 worth of super fine cloth from premises at Freshford. (probably worth around £85,000 by today’s reckoning) One of this quartet was no less than Francis Caines of Oldland, the second eldest son of Benjamin and Ann who, at 23 years of age, was in the gaol calendar, described as being an oyster and cider seller. By all accounts, the four, which also included from Bitton, Thomas Batt and Charles Fuller, had made quite a night of their illicit activities. Having participated in a late supper in Bath, they left the hostelry at around 10.00pm. and made their way to Bathwick where they broke into a stable, and succeeded in stealing a horse and cart. From there they drove to Freshford, arriving in the village at around mid-night.

They then smashed their way into a store holding the cloth, and then proceeded to load the material onto the cart for a successful return to Bath. (perhaps an early form of ‘ram-raid’?)

As part of an elaborate plan, Fuller had previously gone to Bath, and had, under an assumed name, hired a coach house, just off Pulteney Street. It was therefore around 2.00am that the stolen horse and cart pulled up outside the coach house, and together with the rolls of cloth, were secreted inside. Despite their belief that they had made adequate plans to carry out the theft, they had probably attempted more than they could handle, and all four were, in a relatively short time, brought to trial. In the early 19th century, theft was still regarded as a very serious crime, particularly theft from anyone wealthy enough to have influence, and no doubt, the true owner of the cloth was regarded as being wealthy. At his trial Francis Caines did the honourable thing by confessing to his part in the theft, but his attempts (if that is what they were) to mitigate the punishment fell on deaf ears and, two months later, in September 1804 he became the first of the Caines to receive the ultimate punishment, and was hanged at Ilchester Gaol Somerset. As with John Carey, Francis Caines’ body was recovered by his family and brought home to Oldland, for subsequent burial at the same church where, some 27 years previously his parents had taken their marriage vows.

1810 – Bridgeyate Methodist Chapel opens.

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/95966

1811 – Oldland Tabernacle (Old Chapel) Church opens.

1813 – Riot reported in Bitton, two policemen assaulted.

1815 – The Kingswood igang must have been in existence for some time because it was reported in 1815 that there were 25 of the ruthless Cockroad gang in Gloucester Jail and these had been operating the protection racket, collecting money at Brislington Fair or the larger Landsdown Fair on an annual basis.

1819 – Working day for juveniles cut to 12 hours (1819) Turnpike cottage at junction of Barry Road and Cherry Gardens was built.

1820 – Railway Tavern, Poplar Road North Common was built. (Closed down in the 1960’s) Now a private residence.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2097974254/in/se…

1820 – Execution of Rebecca Worlock – H.M. Prison Gloucester – The Murder of Thomas Worlock – Domestic Violence in the village of Oldland Gloucestershire – Oldland mother Rebecca Worlock Hanged for Murder.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/3997392585/in/se…

1823 – Major extension and modernisation of Bitton Vicarage.

1824 – 22 November Murder of Isaac Garden at The Tennis Court Inn, Warmley. Like his Uncle Benjamin Cains before him, 20 year old James Caines Bush was publicly hanged at Gloucester prison on the 11th April 1825 for the murder.

The following day, to add to his mother’s grief and worry, James’ younger brother Francis, was brought to Gloucester Prison in chains, charged with highway robbery. Subsequently, Francis was to follow in his father’s footsteps when, as a result of this charge, he was sentenced to be transported to Australia.

1825 – Bitton Battery Mill is sold and converted to a paper mill.

1827 – Medieval Chapel is demolished in Oldland to make way for the building of St Anne’s Church.

1828 – The "Avon and Gloucestershire Light Railway" was finally started by the Kennet and Avon Canal Company. It was the second oldest overground rail system in the West of England predating Brunel’s GWR by 10 years. (A&G incorporated into an Act of Parliament 19/6/1928)

www.flickr.com/groups/kingswood_collier/

1830 – St Anne’s Church, Oldland is built. Hole Lane pit in Warmley and Avon Wharf in Keynsham are linked by the A&G Light Railway. Norman Road bridge over the "Avon and Gloucestershire Light Railway" was built. (still exists)

1831 – Oldland Tabernacle Church is enlarged. The "Avon and Gloucestershire Light Railway" reached Siston Hill Pit. Used only by horse drawn trucks for coal transportation. (also known as the Tram / Dram Way.) The first passengers used the railway in 1831, all were company managers they made the journey from Siston Hill Pit to Keynsham in about 45 mins.

1832 – Grimsbury Colliery ceased coal production. The "Avon and Gloucestershire Light Railway" official opening date July 1832.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2049799323/

1833 – Warmley Methodist Church which became Mary Help of Christians, was built at Tower Road South. Church closed in 1998. Building still exists, now converted to housing.

1834 (Tolpuddle Martyrs)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolpuddle_Martyrs

1835 (circa) Pin production ceased at the Tower Lane site.

1837 (Victoria becomes Queen) Oldland National School now St Anne’s School is built.

1839 – The statue of "Sally" was added to the now famous barn in Longwell Green. Supplied by local contractor for the sum of eight shillings (40p).The statue is thought to of originated from Keynsham Abbey and portrays Ceros, Godess of the Harvest.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2035351328/

1840 – "The Old Bone Mill" at Oldland Bottom closed down. (Produced chemicals and latterly white buttons for corduroy trousers.) Now a private residence, St Anne’s Lodge.

1842 (Mines Act bans women & children under 10 working underground)

1844 (6.5 hour working day limit introduced for children 8-13)

1845 – Warmley Congregational Church was founded originally in a small meeting room where the war memorial now stands, moving to Chapel Lane Warmley the following year. British School now Redfield Edge opens in Oldland. (on land donated by Gabriel Goldney of Chippenham). Operated as primary and secondary school until 1951. Now primary only.

1847 (circa) Alfred Davidson started production of stoneware and pottery products at the Tower Lane works. (Ex Champion’s factory.)

1847 (10 hour working day limit introduced for children 13-18)

1850 – The Parsonage House, St Anne’s Vicarage is built. The first of 2 large chimney stacks was built at Tower Lane pottery. The other stack was built in the 1950’s. Both were demolished in 1969.

1851 – St Barnabas Church in Bridgeyate was built.

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/95965

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1532764

1858 – Wamley Tower Ebenezer Chapel (now Methodist Chapel) opened in Tower Road South.

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/95944

1859 – Bitton Methodist Church opens in Mill Lane.

1860 – Oldland Tabernacle Church is rebuilt at a cost of £400.

1863 (A typical miner’s wage was 60p per week)

1864 – Building of railway line between Bristol and Bath commenced. St Barnabas Church School built at Bridgeyate. (closed down in the early 1970’s) The &quotAvon and Gloucestershire Light Railway;" closes. This marked the end of coal transportation using horses via the Dram Road.

1868 (Children under 8 banned from working on farms)

1869 – Building of steam railway line between Bristol and Bath finished (4/8/1869). The Chequers Pub in Barry Road Oldland (near what is now Chequers Close) closed down.

1870 – It was reported in the Bath Press on 11 September that proceedings had occurred a few days previously on the occasion of the appearance of Benjamin Cains, a robber who had lived in the Cockroad area. He was tried for robbery, condemned, and hanged at Gloucester. The corpse having been conveyed home, the lid of the coffin was taken off and the body exhibited to the people of the area at 2d per head, such monies going towards the expense of the funeral.

1871 – Brethren Salem Church, Cann Lane, North Common opened. Oldland Methodist Church opens in West Street .

1875 – Minnie Louise Haskins was born in Warmley. See wrote the poem GOD KNOWS, used by King George VI in 1939, to end his famous address to the nation.

www.helium.com/items/686990-biography-minnie-louise-haski…

1875 (Circa) Siston Hill Pit closed down production.

1876 – Abraham Fussel re-opened California Colliery.

1877 (First speed limit introduced for steam driven road vehicles – 4 MPH) The original signal box was built at Warmley Station (16/08/1877) (Rebuilt in 1918.)

1878 – Old Shaft at California Colliery re-opened providing work for 300 miners.

1879 – North Common Methodist Church is built in Poplar Road.

1880 – Smallpox epidemic in Warmley area.

1882 – Warmley Football Club founded. In the very first match in this region Warmley played St. George. The following year 3 more clubs joined the league including "The Black Arabs". The Black Arabs became Eastville Rovers and then, of course, Bristol Rovers.

The chimney stack at Haskin’s Pottery was heightened. George Webb Climbed to the top rim and played the National Anthem and Auld Lang Syne on his coronet. George later became bandmaster for Warmley Military Band.

1883 – British School Oldland renamed Oldland Board School. Now Redfield Edge.

1885 – Measles epidemic in Warmley area (Further measles epidemics in 1898 and 1905)

1887 – Crane’s Firework factory was founded in Warmley. (Closed 1937)

wikimapia.org/8566929/Site-of-Firework-Factory

1888 – Crown Colliery at Warmley closes with the loss of over 100 local jobs.

1890 – Joseph Haskins takes over the pottery factory at Tower Lane giving it his name. He died the following year passing the business on to his wife (Louise) and son (Herbert).

1892 – Cadbury Heath (Board) School at Wraxall Road was opened. (now closed down and demolished, old peoples home built on the site.)

1894 – Siston Parish Council was formed encompassing Warmley, Webbs Heath
and Siston.

1896 – Scarlet Fever epidemic in Warmley area (schools closed for 1 month). Further SF epidemic in 1900.

1898 – Golden Valley Colliery at Bitton closed down.

viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/gallery/450/BB9/BB93_8…

1899 – William Hembourgh the prolific local builder moved from Hanham to Norman Road in Warmley. Over the years he and his 4 sons built houses in Tower Road, Station Road, Church Avenue and many others. The eventually purchased The Crown Colliery Site and set up a yard and offices there.

First footbridge of wooden open lattice construction built at Warmley Station (22/10/1899).

Warmley Football Club disbands amid financial ruin.

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2049222153/

See my historic photograph set of Warmley and Siston

www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/sets/72157604879…