Centre of the Village

Last updated: 15/03/2026

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Scroll through photographs of The Square, High Street, Newman’s Lane, Rectory Lane and Maggs Hill. Select a photograph below to see a larger version and to scroll through the other photographs. Depending on the resolution of individual photographs it may be possible to view a whole screen version.

The Square, in the early part of the 20th century, showing the Post Office and the Jubilee Clock. Ida Cox would have run the Post Office at this time. The gas lamp post was painted white after complaints that villagers walked into it on dark nights.

A colour version of the previous photograph.

Timsbury coal wagons

A view across the Square taken in 1904.

A view across the Square in 1970.

A view towards April Cottage. This building was part of the Corner Shop in the early 20th century. Shortly before World War II, it was opened as a barber shop, run by Sidney Sims.

View across the Square

The actual sign from the shop. The shop closed in the 1970's. Irene Shakespear owned the house and at that time renamed as April Cottage.

Sign from Sydney Sims’ hairdressers

Sidney Sims, who ran the hairdresser shop in the Square, was involved in a motorcycle accident and had a leg removed. He also sold sweets and cigarettes. Miners from Camerton and other pits often used to visit the shop to sit in front of the coal fire. The shop was a meeting place on Saturday evenings. The Pink 'un and Green 'un were delivered to the shop. These were papers delivered from Bristol which contained the football results. Men would check their 'pools' results. Sidney kept the shop open until 9pm.

Timsbury Post Office at the beginning of the 20th Century. In 1866 this building was occupied by Edmund Maggs. It was described as a grocers, drapers and Post Office. Presumably his surname is the origin of Maggs Hill. Edmund Maggs remained the Post Master until about 1880. By 1889 Ernest Weaver Stamp has taken over. He was also a grocer and draper. Ernest George Simmonds then was in the role between 1906 and 1914. Shortly after, the Post Office moved across the Square.

This photo was taken about 1923. Frank Canvin is standing outside his shop. The lamp in the centre of the Square is still there.

The Corner Shop is Aladdins in this photograph. The shop was owned by Marion Holbrook, nee Dando. It was a drapery shop. Afterwards it was taken over by Irene Shakespear. She lived next door in April Cottage.

Wayland Cox ran a shoe repair business which you entered through the door to the left of the shop window. Later on he took over the shop from Irene Shakespear and ran a second hand business.

Decorations in the Square to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII and Alexandra in 1902.

National Westminster Bank which used to be on the site of the Miners' Memorial Garden. There used to be cottages on the site originally.

National Westminster Bank

The Square

The shop nearest to the entrance to the Rectory was at one time a cycle repair shop run by Frank Canvin

The Square

The Square

The Square

A Boys’ Brigade recruiting week was held at Tabor Chapel in 1970 led by David Attwell, the captain of the 1st Timsbury Company. Prior to the service at Tabor Chapel the 1st Street Company Band paraded the village and was joined by the 1st Timsbury Company and the 1st Timsbury Girls’ Brigade, all with full colours. Following the service they all proceeded to Timsbury Secondary School where there was a display of marching and music by the band.

Mr Clavey's van is parked outside his shop. He bought the van after World War II.

The first shop on the right is Harry and Mabel Pope's shop.

The damage to the fish and chip shop in the Square in 1964

Fire at the fish and chip shop in May 1964

Mr and Mrs Smith's premises comprised a double fronted shop and a flat above and the whole place was gutted. The fire spread into the upper portion of Bryn Parsons' shop next door. Philip Pierce's shop, nearest to the entrance to the Rectory was undamaged. The force of the explosion broke windows in nearby houses. Nancy Abbott, of Elm Cottage, was cut about the legs, arms and face and badly shocked. She was taken to St Martin's Hospital and later transferred to Frenchay Hospital.

Fire at the fish and chip shop in May 1964.

This picture appears to have been taken immediately after the fire in the fish and chip shop on Sunday 17th May 1964. The fire started just before 11am as people were making their way to church and chapel. Within minutes a pall of smoke about 100ft high drifted over the village. Fred Sperring, of Cheam House, said 'the whole house shook, just as if a bomb had fallen.' It is thought that it is Fred Sperring who is walking towards the camera.

Fire at the fish and chip shop in May 1964

Apley House in the Square

Apley House in the Square

Charabanc outing dating from the 1920s, starting at the Square

The Square at the time of the coronation of George V in 1911

A view towards Apley House. Edward Smith's workshop can be seen to the right of Apley House.

The Square looking towards Newmans lane. Woman with child in pram, with teenage girl, left centre. Woman with straw boater to the right. The lamp-post is no longer there.

A group of children posing in the Square

Bridges' the Butchers in Newmans Lane. The National Westminster Bank was situated at the rear before it moved to the site of the Miner's Memorial Garden.

Bridges' the butchers in a derelict state.

Newmans Lane

Newmans Lane

Newmans Lane

Bert Nash delivering milk in Newmans Lane

Bert Nash delivering milk in Newmans Lane

The Old Rectory

The Old Rectory

The Old Rectory

The Old Rectory

Mr Bridges' shop in Rectory Lane. He sold a variety of shoes from elegant ladies' shoes to pit boots, and made the pit boots himself. The boots were made of thick 'split' leather guaranteed to last a year. To have them repaired would cost 3/9d. Mr Bridges Snr used tools supplied by Mr Moxham, the blacksmith. Poorer people would come in just for a cut-out sole and heel so that they could do home repairs. Wilf Bridges, his son, started at 14 and didn't know all the tricks of the trade, so George Dando would come and help the 'youn un' if he had any problems. Later Wilf Bridges took over the business.

Mr Bridges’ shop in Rectory Lane.

Rectory Cottage, now known as Elder Cottage.

Street party in Rectory Lane on VE Day in 1945.

Street party in Rectory Lane on VE Day in 1945.

Maggs Hill

Dolly Holbrook standing in the doorway of Oakhill House. Oakhill House used to be an off-licence for the Oakhill Brewery, taken over by Bristol United Breweries, which was part of Courages. Joseph Holbrook lived in Oakhill House and, in 1901, was described as a cattle dealer and beer retailer. He was still operating as a beer retailer in 1935. The off-licence closed during World War II. Dolly also sold milk, bananas and eggs.

Dolly Holbrook standing in the doorway of Oakhill House on Maggs Hill

George and Arthur Holbrook's Drapers and Grocery Store on Maggs Hill. The small shop further up Maggs Hill on the left was a bread and cake shop. This picture was taken in the early 1900s.

Holbrook’s Drapers and Grocery Store on Maggs Hill

Holbrook's Drapers and Grocery Store on Maggs Hill

Holbrook’s Drapers and Grocery Store on Maggs Hill

Janton's in Maggs Hill. It was a drapery shop run by Janet and Tony Ford.

The entrance to Jantons on Maggs Hill.

Tucker's the butchers on Maggs Hill. The picture shows Wilfred Tucker (centre right) next to George Baker (centre left)

Tucker’s the butchers on Maggs Hill

The Christadelphian Chapel on Maggs Hill

Abbott's Baker Shop at the bottom of Maggs Hill with the delivery van. Shown from left to right are Mrs Abbott, S Fry, Colin Abbott, Shilling Moon (front) and A Abbott.

Mrs Abbott, S Fry, Colin Abbott, Shilling Moon and A Abbott at Abbott’s Baker’s Shop on Maggs Hill

Maggs Hill

Sarah Chivers in the High Street

The High Street

A view along the High Street with not so many cars.

An early picture showing on the left part of the frontage of Keelings shop on the left. Behind the high wall was Tom Keeling's work area for his carpentry business.

The High Street

This building on the right was Mrs Ted Smith's wallpaper and paint shop between the 1930s and 1950s. Then it was used by Alec Beard as fruit and vegetable shop. It has also been used as a freezer shop run by Tony Blaker until it became a residential building.

The High Street

This building was Mrs Ted Smith's wallpaper and paint shop between the 1930s and 1950s. Then it was used by Alec Beard as fruit and vegetable shop. It has also been used as a freezer shop run by Tony Blaker until it became a residential building.

The High Street

Tizards in the High Street

The High Street

Tizards in the High Street.

Tizard, the drapers and outfitters in the High Street, where the pharmacy is now.

The High Street

Kath and Don Brown owned the Spar from 1974 and ran it for many years.

The High Street

The Spar

The High Street

The Spar

The High Street

This site used to be the gardens of the Old Post Office next door. Marion Holbrook initially built a hardware store here. Then Tom Evans moved from across the road to run it as a chemist shop. Rob Bick took over the chemist shop which then also housed the Post Office. This photo shows the Chemist/Post Office as a single shop before the extension of the building. After the building was extended Rob and Janet Bick could run the Chemist and Post Office separately.

The High Street

The Old Post Office

The High Street

The Old Post Office

The High Street

The Old Post Office

The High Street

The Old Post Offe

The High Street

Sunbeam Cottage

The High Street

Sunbeam Cottage

The High Street

Originally, three cottages existed at this location. The cottages were demolished around 1954 and this picture shows the building that replaced them. Tom Evans ran a chemist shop on the left hand side and there was a hairdressers on the right hand side run by Betty and Vernon Ford. Subsequently Terry Keeping (Upholstery) occupied the right hand side. Then the whole building became Champion's in the 1980s. It was a grocers shop on the left hand side and a florist on the right hand side. The building was demolished in 2008 and four flats built in its place.

The High Street

Pitfour House in 1895

Pitfour House in the High Street

Pitfour House showing the gatepiers which are Grade II listed.

Pitfour House in the High Street

Dr Crang and other male members of the Crang family at Pitfour House.

Crang family at Pitfour House in the High Street

William Beacham outside Pitfour House in 1940

William Beacham outside Pitfour House in 1940

Pitfour House

The High Street

Croquet on the lawn outside Pitfour House, before Pitfour Terrace was built

Pitfour House in the High Street

Church Farm in the High Street which used to be Humphrey's the butchers. A view of the butcher's shop with meat seen hanging outside. This was a usual occurrence.

Humphrey’s the butchers in the High Street

Church Farm in the High Street

Church Farm in the High Street

Pitfour Terrace, built in the early 20th century.

The High Street

The tall building beyond Pitfour House is where Vic Ashley ran his business. He was a cobbler and ran a bookmaker's shop.

The High Street

Looking towards St Mary's Church.

The High Street

Picture taken outside 3 Pitfour Terrace showing the petrol pump of Charlie Heal's garage behind the car.

The High Street

Charles Heal's garage on the corner of Pitfour Terrace in the High Street

Charles Heal’s garage on the corner of Pitfour Terrace in the High Street

Pictured left to right are Alec Clark, Mr Fowler, Bill Hasell and Charles Heal. It was in operation in the 1920s and 1930s.

Charles Heal’s garage on the corner of Pitfour Terrace in the High Street

View of the High Street from a copy of a photograph by Mrs Foster, taken in 1899 for the Samborne family. Shows the High Street before Pitfour Terrace was built.

The High Street

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