A JOURNEY to the past was enjoyed by many at Thornbury Town Hall during a special heritage event.


The town hall, in High Street, opened its doors to the public on Saturday, September 12, for the Heritage Open Day.


Guided tours of the building and Victorian police cell were given revealing all the building’s secrets. 


Matt Stringer, chairman of Thornbury Town Council’s environment committee, said the event was a great success.


“We had 75 people through the door during the day who were shown around the building including the cellar,” he said.


“Councillors gave the history of the building from a coach house in the 1600s to being rebuilt as a police station in the 1880s.


“The council chamber had many exhibits on show including a replica of the town mace. 


“An interesting day was had by all.”


Town mayor, Cllr Guy Rawlinson, said: “I was there for four hours and I enjoyed showing people around, particularly the cellar and the old police cells. 


“It was also nice to be able to show off all the official town regalia.”


People were also given the rare chance to see a 115-year-old quilt in the town hall, put on display by Thornbury and District Museum.


The quilt was made in 1900 to fundraise for a new vicarage and has squares sponsored by early 20th century Thornbury traders. 


Jane Marks and Pauline Montgomery, museum volunteers, said: "The Thornbury and District Heritage Trust, which runs Thornbury Museum, now owns the quilt, but sadly, the museum building in Chapel Street is not large enough to have the quilt on permanent display so we take every opportunity to give it an airing on occasions such as the Heritage Open Day.


"Of the 236 squares, 25 represent trades and well-known people and buildings in the town such as butchers, a saddler, a baker, a clockmaker, a shirtmaker, a dressmaker and the police station.


"The rest of the squares show various flora and fauna (from spiders’ webs to cats and birds), patriotic symbols and many initials of persons unknown."