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Official data and census information for Woodchester |
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1086
The manor is recorded as having 16 villani (farmers), 12 bordars (cottagers)
and a mill
1381
Apart from farming and the cloth industry other areas of importance
for employment were the exploitation of woodland and stone. In the 14th
century a hewer was recorded in 1327, a slatter in 1306 and 3 masons in
1381. There were also three brewers recorded that year as well
1563
Thirty-three houses recorded
1608
Inhabitants of the parish included 7 clothiers, 16 weavers, 5 tuckers,
3 dyers and 3 millers. Also there was a butcher, a baker and a carpenter
1650
Sixty families in the parish
1720
120 houses in the village
1756
The total population was 792
1777
Ten mills in Woodchester marked on Taylor's map of the County
1780
Both the Ram and the Royal Oak recorded as public houses
1799
| Samual Rudders' description of Woodchester, 1799
This is a small parish in the hundred of Longtree, three miles distant west of Minchin-Hampton, three fouth from Stroud and thirteen fouth from Gloucester. The principle part of the village lies on the side of bold rising ground, facing eastwards and seen from the great road on Rodborough Hill, with a little river in the foreground, gently gliding along the valley...at the beginning of this century there were 120 houses in this parish, and about 460 inhabitants, whereof 24 were freeholders; yearly births 11, and burials 10. In the year 1756 the people were numbered, and found to be 792, and they are something increased since then. |
1801
Population estimated at 613
1811
The total population was 845
1823
Population still recorded as 845
1831
Population 885
1833
Average expenditure by the parish on the poor was 350 pounds
1838
One public house and ten beer houses
1851
The total population was 984
1863
It was estimated that since 1563, 3,000 burials took place in the churchyard
(including 169 Brownings and many Walkleys)
1889
The village school opens
1913
Industries included: Matthew Grist at Merritt Mill making flock and
bedding; Perkins and Marmont at Frogmarsh making pins; Bentley Pianos who
had moved to Woodchester in 1911; Workmans Steam Saw Mills and a printing
works at Southfieds
1921
Total population was 856
1934
The pin making factory at Frogmarsh closes.
1951
Business' in Woodchester included: Kosiclad Childrens Wear at Dunkirk
Mill; Bentley Piano Company at Woodchester Mill; Newman, Hender
and Co. specialists in the manufacture of brass, bronze, iron and steel
valves and fittings; Matthew Grist, makers of high grade bedding
and upholstery fillings located at Merretts Mill and Arthurs Press
1966
Total population was 893
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Description: Woodchester Parish 1991 Census
The 1991 census shows that Woodchester,
like many rural villages, had an ageing population. It is likely that in
the 2001 census this skew would have increased. Most of the housing is
owned; many have second cars and the overall picture is of a solidly middle
class area. This has been enhanced by the building of new housing which
has meant that the population has increased from 875 in 1971 to 1,077 by
1991.
Parish: WOODCHESTER
District Council Area: STROUD DISTRICT
Total Residents: 1,077
Total Households: 424
Average Household: 2.54
Population aged 0 to 4: 57
Population aged 5 to 15: 129
Population aged 16 to 44: 379
Population aged 45 to retired: 273
Population aged retired to 74: 165
Population aged 75 plus: 74
Non white Population: 0
Local authority rented: 59
Lone Parent households:7
Share/lack basic amenities: 3
Overcrowded: 18
Owner occupied: 310
Female economically active: 197
H/holds with no car: 57
H/holds with one car: 183
H/holds with two or more cars: 180
Crown copyright: For further information contact: 01452 425500
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1999 Woodchester Electoral Roll (A-L)
1999 Selsley Electoral Roll
Roman festivities almost bring the house down
By Caroline Davies
History and guide of
Woodchester - Graham Thomas
FESTIVITIES to celebrate a Cotswold village's Roman heritage became
rather too authentic for one retired couple when a wooden projectile crashed
through their roof.
Christine Maltin was relaxing on her terrace when the missile hurled
from a replica Roman ballista smashed through the tiles and into the attic.
The ball, the last fired in a display mounted by the Ermine Street Guard,
a group of enthusiasts re-enacting Roman military history, was
supposed to be the finale of a fortnight's celebration in Woodchester,
near Stroud, Glos.
Her husband, Michael, 80, a retired airline pilot said: "I shan't be
making an insurance claim for the job. I don't know how I would describe
it on the form. 'Damage caused by Roman ballista fire?'. That would raise
an eyebrow or two." His wife said: "It did make a crash when it hit the
roof. It was a shame that this had to happen when they had put on such
a superb display. But we don't want to make too much of it."
Mr Matlin said: "We have been having a fortnight of festivities in
the village to celebrate our Roman history, especially the wonderful Woodchester
Roman Pavement mosaic. This event was in aid of the Woodchester Village
Hall Trust, of which I am treasurer, and I was out and about collecting
money when the incident happened.
"My wife was sitting on the terrace watching the event when this ball
went off-course and came through our roof. She was surrounded by pieces
of broken tile but luckily she wasn't touched by any of it. The ball which
came through the roof was about the size of a grapefruit and weighed about
a pound. It was the last one to be fired from the ballista at the end of
the demonstration."
The Centurion of the Guard, Chris Haines, a farmer from Witcombe, near
Gloucester, said: "The ball was aimed well away from the house and everything
was fine until a gust of wind caught it and took it on to the roof."
(c) The Daily Telegraph. 14th June 2000