History of Chipping Sodbury
Man has occupied the land around Sodbury for thousands of years.
A Short History of the Sodburys,
provided by Jim Elsworth
| The earliest evidence of occupation dates back to the Neolithic burial chamber found on the high ground at Grickstone Farm , just off the A46. The Iron Age Hill fort, often referred to locally as the Roman camp, is in the same area, as is the site of one of England’s prehistoric ridgeways. Gradually man’s occupation moved from the hill tops down into the vale. | Our twice a year “Sodbury Mop” is a remaining link with the old agricultural fairs held around Lady Day and Michaelmas Day. In its original days it was mainly a hiring fair for farm labour, but gradually it progressed to being a holiday for farm workers and an event for which local children had a day off school. Today it is still a major event in the calendar but is far removed from a celebration of the start or end of the agricultural year! |
 Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection. |
| In the early part of the twelfth century William Crassus decided
to build a New Town on his lands at Sodbury. This was the start of
the planned town of Chipping (Market) Sodbury towards the western
end of his lands. Market Charters were granted in the early part of
the thirteenth century. Markets and fairs were held from that time
right up to 1954 when the regular market was closed. Over the years
the market has been famous for wool, cloth, sheep, cheese, cattle
and general farm produce. |
Whit Monday Horse Fair 1909. A traditional event when the working horses
were dressed up and put on parade. Note the caption ³The
Crowds Arriving² clearly this was a big event in the town.
Note also the pinnacles at either end of the Horse Trough.
These were removed to support the iron collection during the
First World War.Photograph courtesy of the Historical Society |
