Day Out: Archive Films

Originally broadcast in August 1984 was this charming half-hour television programme which took a look round Tewkesbury.

Bridge over River Severn in Tewkesbury

As part of the BBC West 'Day Out' series - which visited a different Gloucestershire and West Country locale every week - presenter Gwyn Richards is shown exploring the historic town.

His journey begins at the North end of Tewkesbury on the 'Mythe Toot' where he explains that the small hill is the highest point on the 'Mythe' which divides the rivers Avon and Severn. We learn of Tewkesbury Regatta which is held on the Severn's Regatta Mile, and see Thomas Telford's elegant bridge which was built in 1824.

The Abbey Mill

We see one of the other bridges, King John's Bridge, which crosses the Avon and is Tewkesbury's oldest bridge built in 1197. We then visit the Old Black Bear - Gloucestershire's oldest pub - built in 1308, and Gwyn takes a stroll up High Street.

Among the places visited we see inside The Tudor House, the birthplace of author John Moore, and hear of the Tewkesbury Academy which was set up in the building in the 18th Century by The Rev. Samuel Jones.

Local archaeologist Edna Linnell

Next we are shown the Avon canal at the back of the High Street, and learn about the history of The Abbey Mill which in 1984 was in use as a restaurant specialising in Medieval Banquets. We then visit The Ham, a 200 acre stretch of food plain, which lies between the Severn and the Avon canal.

We see the Berkeley Arms pub and hear that it was once run by two brothers who ran it together for 30 years without ever speaking to each other! Gwyn then looks round Tewkesbury Museum which had recently been overhauled, and we meet Edna Linnell - a local archaeologist who'd spent years carrying out her own investigations into the town's ancient history.

Museum Curator Joan Underwood

Gwyn visits a row of rare medieval shops and houses in Church Street, and he visits one of the museums that had been opened in the terrace. The John Moore museum is dedicated to natural history and agriculture. Gwyn speaks to the curator Joan Underwood.

Back outside we see the Bell Hotel and learn about the Victorian novellist Mrs Craik who stayed there while writing 'John Halifax, Gentleman'. We're then told of the Saxon monk Theoc after whom the town supposedly gets its name.

Vicar of Tewkesbury, Rev. Michael Moxon

Outside the Abbey we learn that the tower is said to be the finest Norman tower in existence. Inside we get a view of the impressive architecture and see the burial places of Edward, Prince of Wales who was killed in the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, and of The Duke of Clarence who is supposed to have died by drowning in a vat of Malmsey wine.

The Vicar of Tewkesbury, The Reverand Michael Moxon, explains how the Abbey was saved during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and talks of the history and the future of the church.

Check out the other fascinating films from the 'Day Out' series which were filmed in Gloucestershire by clicking on the links at the top right of this page.