Newnham, Gloucestershire

Description
Newnham, a small town, the head of a county court district and petty sessional division, and a parish in Gloucestershire. The town stands on the river Severn, 11 miles SW of Gloucester. It was the place where Earl Strongbow and Henry II. met in 1171, and the place whence they set sail for Ireland; it received from King John a sword of office, which is still kept in perfect preservation; it received also a charter from King John; it sent a member to Parliament in the time of Edward I.; it afterwards got exemption from this privilege on account of poverty; it was at one time a borough, but is now governed by a local board of twelve members. A castle was built at it soon after the Norman Conquest; was garrisoned by Wyntour for Charles I.; and was surrendered to Col. Massie. Some remains of fortification may still be traced, and a long raised ancient fosse has been converted into a pleasant promenade. The Severn here is nearly a mile wide, shows beautiful scenery, and has a ferry at high and low water. The town has a head post office, a station on the Gloucester and South Wales branch of the G.W.R., two banks, a town-hall, and a police station. A clock tower, 60 feet high, with a short spire, was erected in 1873. The church stands on an eminence at the S end of the town. The original church, which was destroyed by fire in 1881, was Norman and Early English. The present edifice consists of chancel, nave of four bays, south aisle, north porch, and an embattled western tower with low shingled spire; it contains some stained windows and a Norman font. A clock with playing chimes was placed in the tower in 1895. There are a Congregational chapel and a, cemetery. Fairs are held on 11 June and 18 Oct.; a considerable commerce in bark, timber, slate, and coal is carried on, and there is a large tannery. A branch railway runs to a wharf at Bullo Pill, and tram railways go to collieries and iron-mines in Dean Forest. The parish comprises 1937 acres; population, 1401. There is an urban district council consisting of twelve members. The Haie is the chief residence. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol; net value, £120 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol.