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'Tales of Old Barnwood' and 'More Tales of Old Barnwood'
'Tales of Old Barnwood' and 'More Tales of Old Barnwood'
"TODAY Barnwood is a pleasant Gloucester suburb; the beautiful St Lawrence church dates from the Norman period whilst Barnwood Court has survived since medieval times. But turn back the clock only a few years and life here was vastly different. For almost a century Barnwood was home to Barnwood House Hospital, one of the country's pioneering mental hospitals. These aspects - and many others - about the village's past have been delightfully brought together in two well illustrated books, 'Tales of Old Barnwood' and 'More Tales of Old Barnwood'. Their pages and pictures are crammed with a wealth of interesting information and fascinating anecdotes, encompassing not only the church and hospital but also schools, coronation parties, shops and post office as well as stories of wartime Barnwood, fetes and fairs, body snatchers and much else."
Tales of Old Barnwood
Tales of Old Barnwood
This is our first book about Barnwood in Gloucester. It was written as a result of demand after a number of popular talks had been given about the people and events of old Barnwood.
It contains anecdotes and stories about Barnwood’s past and features articles on trams, Barnwood House Hospital, the parish church and its bells, the school, local shops, the Reading Room, Wotton Hall Club, wartime Barnwood and much else.
It contains 100 pages and over 60 pictures.
More Tales of Old Barnwood
More Tales of Old Barnwood
Our second book on old Barnwood, consists of 120 pages and 100 pictures written as a follow up to Tales of Old Barnwood after its successful launch and reprint.
It contains a large section on the history of Barnwood House Hospital, the private mental institution which dominated the parish for over a hundred years, and the memories of some of its former employees.
Articles on the Barnwood smallpox epidemic, the development of scouting in the parish and the story of Doris Warren's time at Barnwood School are also included.
The history of the church choir, the building of the Parish Centre and some interesting stories about the Avenue are among the 33 "chapters". It has tales, too, about some of those associated with Barnwood; people such as Sir Charles Wheatstone, Sir Edmund Saunders and Mary Cole (a Barnwood girl who could have become the Queen of England).
This is not a "then and now" book, although there are a few pictures of the area as it used to be.
Even More Tales of Old Barnwood
Even More Tales of Old Barnwood
Yes, yet another book!
We are rather pleased with this as we have received many good comments about its contents.
A Home from Home - The Story of Barnwood House Hospital
A Home from Home - The Story of Barnwood House Hospital
This book was published in November 2022 and details the history of Barnwood House Hospital from its foundation in Horton Road in 1823 right through to its closure in Barnwood in 1968, and onwards to the present day.
About this book.
Barnwood House Mental Hospital had its origin in the desire during the late 18th century for there to be proper and caring treatment for those suffering with mental problems.
This book is based on an extensive study of the Hospital undertaken by the author and is intended to bring together, in a coherent and readable form, the history of an institution that was both locally important, and nationally significant.
It has over 220 pages of text and some 110 pictures, many in colour.
Though some of the book’s contents have appeared in the ‘Tales of Old Barnwood’ series, there is much new material and detail which has been uncovered during recent research and not seen before now.
The book firstly recounts the Hospital’s history, which started in the late 18th century, and continued right through to 2022.
There are then chapters covering the Hospital’s buildings, ethos, patients, management, and the various satellite establishments.
Finally, there is a section on the development of the Hospital’s lands after the closure and sale in 1969.
Physical evidence of the Hospital is now not that evident in Barnwood, and many of Barnwood’s inhabitants are unaware of its existence.
This book sets out to correct that, and to bring the Hospital’s history to a wider audience.
TALES OF BARNWOOD PARISH CHURCH
This Booklet collects together all the articles we have written and previously published about Barnwood's Parish Church was launched on the 6th July 2025.
It is only available through the Parish office
Availability
Availability
As of Summer 2025 we do not have any of our first two books available for sale - Tales of Old Barnwood and More Tales of Old Barnwood.
We have a reasonable supply of both 'Even more Tales' and 'A Home from Home'.
Copies of the Barnwood Trilogy and the History of Barnwood House Hospital have been deposited in the Local History section of Gloucestershire Archives.
There are also copies for inspection held by the Gloucestershire Family History Society and they have stock for sale of the Barnwood House Book.
There may still be copies available for purchase on the UK Amazon site.
Our publisher, Courtyard Books http://www.courtyardbooks.co.uk/ may still have some.
TALES OF BARNWOOD PARISH CHURCH
This Booklet is only available through the Parish office
The Parish Office working hours are Tuesday to Thursday mornings, 9.00am–12.00noon.
The Office is open for drop-in or phone enquiries on Wednesday mornings, 9.00am – 12noon.
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings you will be able leave an answerphone message or send an email, and these will be dealt with promptly.
www.stlawrencebarnwood.uk.eu.org
Tel: Parish Office 01452 372731
Email: stlawrencebarnwood@outlook.com
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