Early Day Motion

We are grateful to Cameron Thomas MP for submitting an Early Day Motion (EDM 63894) recognising Tewkesbury’s historic links to the transatlantic slave trade. This is a significant step in acknowledging our past and committing to ongoing reflection and dialogue.

You can read the EDM below or on the UK Parliament website.

We would also like to acknowledge a new member to our group, Rick Talbot.

#EDM63894 #TewkesburyVoices #CommunityLeadership #InclusiveHistory #Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury’s links to the transatlantic slave trade

EDM (Early Day Motion) 1505: tabled on 18 June 2025

Motion text

That this House acknowledges Tewkesbury’s connection to the transatlantic slave trade through historical political figures, including Sir William Codrington (1719–1792) and his nephew Christopher Bethell-Codrington (1764–1843), both Members of Parliament for Tewkesbury and owners of sugar plantations worked by enslaved people in Antigua and Barbados; notes that the latter received compensation following abolition; further notes William Dowdeswell (1721–1775), also MP for Tewkesbury, married Bridget Codrington and their son, William Dowdeswell (1760–1828), also served as MP for Tewkesbury and later as Governor of the Bahamas; commends the work of Tewkesbury Voices: Retain and Explain, founded by Councillor Emma Ash, Deputy Mayor of Tewkesbury Town Council, in raising understanding of Tewkesbury’s connections to the transatlantic slave trade; anticipates the forthcoming Tewkesbury Monument Review through collaboration between Tewkesbury Historical Society and the University of Gloucestershire; recognises the work of Anti-Slavery Activism in Tewkesbury by Derek Benson and John Dixon’s lecture on The Codrington Family Tree in the Age of Transatlantic Slavery; welcomes the hosting of the Abolition Medal at Tewkesbury Museum and the exhibition of the university, led by Dr Christian O’Connell with students Morgan Casley, Ella Stalker, and Sarah Crowe; and further recognises contributions from group members including Andrew Armstrong, Julian Bagg, Councillor Hilarie Bowman, Reverend Canon Nick Davies, Dr Veronica Davies, Sam Eedle, Peter Foster, Councillor Alan Hayes, Councillor Paul Jones, Olaide Kareem, Derrick McLean, Reverend Simon Phillips, Alan Purkiss, Councillor Catherine Robertson, Elanor Stanley and Patrick Webley.