A Historic Walk Around Town

[merlin]

Today sees the launch of a new guided walked around the town taking the reader to places they probably not find by accident.

There is a lot more to Tetbury than just an old Market Hall in the middle and a street full of antique shops.

It is a town with more than 1,300 years of history most of which is not immediately apparent as you casually stroll around.

Although not intended to be controversial, in this new guide I do challenge one or two of the old theories surrounding Tetbury’s history including how the town got its name or the fact that at one time it may have been the site of an ancient hill fort. Neither of which should detract from the real significant history of the town as an extremely important Wool and Agricultural Market Town stretching back to the year 1200 AD.

Tetbury was also an important cross-roads and stop over for travellers and has its evidence with a wealth of coaching Inns and at one time a claim of 42 hotels, Inns and pubs in the town.

For the moment the guide is only available at Totally Pottery, in the Chipping Shopping Mall (open on Sundays) however I hope to spread them around to Tourist Information Offices in the County.

At a gentle stroll the walk takes about an hour and a half, a little longer if you stop off at the Magistrates Court and Police museum (open Mon- Fri normal office hours) and St. Mary’s church, both well worth a visit and the extra time.

Of course, there is no reason to do it all at once and I also suggest a stop off half way through for refreshments and I include a list of the town’s major watering holes. No personal recommendations, only because I haven’t tried them all yet, suffice to say I haven’t any cause for complaint for those I have been to thus far.

I guess what I’m trying to say is if you thought Tetbury was a nice place to stop for a cup of tea on your way somewhere else then I invite you to stay a little longer and let the town surprise you. I also promise you this is no boring school history lesson and there is no exam or test at the end.

The image is from a drawing of the original Market Hall built in 1655 by the Feoffees of Tetbury. First seen in the book 'The History of the Town an Parish of Tetbury' by Alfred T. Lee.

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[bowralbob]

Hi Merlin,

We are certainly looking forward to our visit to tetbury and will look out for your walking guide. It sounds very interesting and will challenge some long held beliefs about the town's history. Keep up the good work!

[merlin]

Hi Bob,

I too look forward to your visit and will take you on the tour if you fancy the excercise.

In fact the idea of taking small groups around has already been suggested by one of the Hotels in town as something they can offer their guests.

[cliff]

Hi Merlin,
Something stirred in a very aged brain box in respect of the naming of Tetbury. Attending Tetbury CofE school in late30's, I seem to re-call a framed text on the wall in the Big Boys Classroom , giving information. After all of these years all I can
remember of the text is that Tetbury was once called TETA'S BERG.
I wonder if there are any other readers younger than myself who attended up until the demise of the school can remember this text and its contents. Anyone reading from HOTS, have you any information, is it correct, and when ??
Keep up the good work.
Cliff B.

[merlin]

Hi Cliff,
I don’t think it was ever ‘TETA'S BERG’ although I am always open for more information and I welcome any discussion .

As far as I am aware the first written record of Tetbury, occurs in the year 681 AD, when Ethelred of Mercia (Not the Unready, that was Ethelred II ) gave 15 hides of land to the abbey of Malmesbury. The land was said to be close to a settlement called Tetta’s Minster, so called because of its proximity to an Anglo Saxon monastery called ‘Tettan Monasterium’ or 'Tetta's monastery'. Question is who was Tetta ?
(The word "Tettan" is the possessive case of the feminine name Tetta.)

The word Bury is an anglicised spelling of the Anglo-Saxon word Burh, often misinterpreted as meaning fort or fortress, instead of the more general interpretation of place of retreat. Either would work it our case bringing the name to Tetta’s Burh or Bury.

This possible explanation of the name change gave rise to the assumption that there was an Iron Age hill fort, possibly on the site where the monastery was built, which I question...

I think it more likely that the name was changed in the reign of Alfred the Great who created a chain of Burh’s across Wessex as safe refuge for his people. The monastery here would therefore have qualified but as far as I can establish it was never official named as one by King Alfred, although Cricklade and Malmesbury were.

Still doesn’t tell us who Tetta was, of course, suffice to say it’s not who they think it was in all the local explanations I’ve seen ! I shall say no more, don’t want to spoil the read !

[merlin]

The Brochure is now out in Print and available locally at the following locations:

Tourist Information Office, Church Street.
Totally Pottery, in the Chipping Mall.
St. Mary's Church Shop.

Or direct from me of course.

Price is £2.99.

If I'm around I hope to offer an actual guided tour for small groups.

The plan is to encourage people to spend the day in Tetbury, take the tour enjoy a meal and a wander around the shops.

Even better come for a relaxing weekend.

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[daxia]

The guide is also available in the Market Hall every Wednesday and Second Saturday of each month.

Dax

[merlin]

Thanks Dax you beat me to the announcement.

I can also add that if I am available on the day I have agreed to guide small parties around the tour route.

For more details call into The Totally Pottery Shop in the Chipping Mall and they'll arrange it for you.

Or for guests of the Snooty Fox who have also been kind enough to show an interest.

[Charlotte]

I am interested to find out about an old Tetbury property called The Retreat.

The first mention I can find is an old Map from the 1890's but what I would like to know is the origins of the property and it's name.

From its location off Back Lane it was certainly off the main access roads.


Can anyone fill in the Gaps please ?