Fairford
Fairford maps (2 available)
Map of Gloucestershire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Gloucestershire
Personalised maps
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Fairford books (15 available)
- 12 photos on Fairford appear in 4 Frith books - View photos of Fairford
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Fairford and Gloucestershire
Fairford memories
Read and share memories of Fairford and Gloucestershire inspired by Frith photos
Piano Lessons and Stained Glass Windows in the Church
In 1954, my father was a USAF Officer, stationed at Fairford RAF Station. We lived in Sherborne. Every Saturday morning, my father would drive me from Sherborne to Fairford for my piano lesson. I do not remember my teacher's name; however, I clearly remember the day we walked to the Church and she showed me the beautiful stained glass windows that had been buried in the ground for their protection during WWII. I believe my teacher was the organist at that church. Lovely memories of a gentler time.
Contributed by Barbara Farmer
Gloucestershire memories
Piano Lessons and Stained Glass Windows in the Church
In 1954, my father was a USAF Officer, stationed at Fairford RAF Station. We lived in Sherborne. Every Saturday morning, my father would drive me from Sherborne to Fairford for my piano lesson. I do not remember my teacher's name; however, I clearly remember the day we walked to the Church and she showed me the beautiful stained glass windows that had been buried in the ground for their protection during WWII. I believe my teacher was the organist at that church. Lovely memories of a gentler time.
A memory of Fairford contributed by Barbara Farmer
1906
My great, great grandfather, Frededrick Smith, died at Bibury Mill on 10 December 1906. He was living with his daughter and son-in-law, Thomas Turner, at the time. I visited the Museum almost 20 years ago and seem to remember Frederick Smith written on a wall behind a glass case!!
A memory of Bibury contributed by Pamela Chapman
Brownett's of Bibury
My parents Dorothy (Dot - nee Brownett) & Edward King lived in the Mill residence when I was born, staying with my grandparents Mr & Mrs Brownett. Mr Brownett was "Head Gardener" at the Swan Hotel and I understand they were renting the residence. Both parents were in the RAF, married at St Mary's church at the end of the war - I was born in 1949. My Mum - Dot Brownett, had siblings Jack (Air raid warden) and Nelly. A lady called Ethel lived in the adjoining cottage heading up the hill towards Ciren. After we moved up to Crick/Rugby in the Midlands we regularly visited Bibury for long weekends and school holidays thru ~ 1969 ...read more here
A memory of Bibury contributed by Derek King
Extracts From Fairford & Gloucestershire books
The joy of Fairford is its ornate wool church, built in the latter part of the 15th century by John Tame, a wealthy cloth merchant. No other church in England boasts such a wonderful array of early stained glass, 28 examples in all, telling the Christian story from the Creation to the Day of Judgement.
An extract from from"Cotswolds Pocket Album".
Fairford is situated on the River Coln a few
miles from the Thames in Gloucestershire.
It is noted for fishing, and for a fine old mill
dating from a long-time dependency on wool.
It was the birthplace of the Oxford Tractarian
Movement’s leading light, John Keble, in 1792.
No doubt his zealous outlook was inspired
by the fine 15th- and 16th-century church.
Although very much a stone-built place, it lacks
the Cotswold atmosphere of the settlements on
the high wold. The Market Place, shown here,
has fine 17th- and 18th-century buildings; the
3-storey ashlar-faced house right of centre is a
fine example, with its rusticated ground floor
stonework, fine pediment and cornice.
An extract from from"Cotswold Living Memories".
Fairford is situated on the River Coln a few
miles from the Thames in Gloucestershire.
It is noted for fishing, and for a fine old mill
dating from a long-time dependency on wool.
It was the birthplace of the Oxford Tractarian
Movement’s leading light, John Keble, in 1792.
No doubt his zealous outlook was inspired
by the fine 15th- and 16th-century church.
Although very much a stone-built place, it lacks
the Cotswold atmosphere of the settlements on
the high wold. The Market Place, shown here,
has fine 17th- and 18th-century buildings; the
3-storey ashlar-faced house right of centre is a
fine example, with its rusticated ground floor
stonework, fine pediment and cornice.
An extract from from"Cotswold Living Memories".
Beyond the mill, which dates from Norman times, is the square tower of St Mary's. This parish church has some fine stained glass in 28 windows paid for by John Tame, a rich wool merchant. According to local legend, the glass was captured by John Tame as it was on its way to Rome by ship. The truth is more likely to be that the windows arrived in this country by ship from Flanders, where many of them were made.
An extract from from"Cotswolds Revisited Photographic Memories".
Fairford was the birthplace of the 19th-century Christian reformer and hymn-writer John Keble, who would often walk along the banks of the River Coln seeking inspiration for his verse. His book ‘The Christian Year’ led to the birth of the Oxford Movement, and many of his lyrics are still sung in Cotswold churches.
An extract from from"Cotswolds Pocket Album".