Talks

Legacies: Tewkesbury Abbey and the Shadows of the Slave Trade

Like many historic churches, Tewkesbury Abbey holds stories that connect this community to the transatlantic slave trade.

To mark Black History Month, we are delighted to host an exhibition developed from research by the University of Gloucestershire, exploring the histories of three local families whose lives were linked to this global story. The research is also available online here.

📅 29 September – 12 October
📍 Inside Tewkesbury Abbey
💷 Free entry, open to all

As part of the exhibition, join us for a special evening event:

Presentation & Panel Discussion

🗓 Wednesday 8 October, 6:30–8:30pm
🎤 With speakers from the Tewkesbury Historical Society and the University of Gloucestershire
💷 Free entry, donations welcome

This is an opportunity to engage with Tewkesbury’s layered history and reflect on how the past continues to shape our community today.

Tewkesbury in the Context of the Codrington Family

As part of the Tewkesbury Voices programme, local historian John Dixon delivered a thought-provoking talk on Thursday 27th March 2025, titled Tewkesbury in the Context of the Codrington Family at the Tewkesbury Methodist Church.

The talk explored the life and influence of Sir William Codrington, who represented Tewkesbury in Parliament from 1761 to 1792. Codrington is remembered locally for either donating or loaning the Council funds in 1788 to build Tewkesbury’s Town Hall, an act that helped shape the civic life of Tewkesbury.

However, Mr Dixon also examined the more controversial aspects of Codrington’s legacy. The Codrington family’s wealth was built on enslaved labour in the sugar plantations of Barbados and Antigua, a connection that raises important questions about how we remember historical figures today.

Following Sir William’s death in 1792, a Parliamentary by-election was held. For the first time, the newly formed Anti-Slavery Society backed a candidate in Tewkesbury. Though unsuccessful, it sparked a local movement that would gain momentum in the years ahead.

The talk also referenced Derek Benson’s research, particularly his article Anti-Slavery Activism in Tewkesbury, which details how residents worked to challenge and oppose slavery in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

This Tewkesbury Voices event offered a compelling look at how national and global histories are reflected in our own town’s story, inviting reflection, discussion, and a deeper understanding of the past.