With local support the remains of the villa were saved, though they have now been covered again, to protect them for for future generations. Dursley Heritage Centre has just received a stock of booklets about the discovery which give a great overview of the site, its history and the finds that were uncovered during the dig. It’s been professionally written by the archaeology company responsible for the excavation, it’s all colour with lots of images and is now available for sale at £6 per copy.

Dursley Heritage Centre has a new book for sale by Patricia Main called ‘The Occupants of Snooks Hill, Dursley between 1841 and 1871’, priced at £10.

Snooks Hill, now known as Union Street, was one of the poorer streets in Dursley in the 19th century. The occupants of this street lived in the shadow of the Union Workhouse and many of them spent time there. Some struggled unsuccessfully against the economic challenges of this period, others were more successful, breaking away from Snooks Hill to make lives for themselves elsewhere. They all lived in Dursley and are part of its rich heritage.

Some of you may be aware of the sad passing of Cam’s centenarian, Lionel Jones, recently. Lionel was a great character in Dursley and Cam. He worked at Mawdsley’s for almost all his working life and even wrote two books about his experiences, one in his 100th year! He was also a member of St. James Church choir for over 85 years. He was also a great supporter of anything to do with local history. As a tribute, and with permission from his family, Dursley Heritage Centre is putting on an exhibition of a few of his local photos taken around Dursley in the 1950s and 1960s. They can be seen at the Heritage Centre during June and July – Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10.00-12.00.

It runs from Saturday 1st February 2025 until April and will feature a display of material found during the excavation of the Roman villa at the Millfields site off Box Road in Cam.

There will also be other locally found Roman artefacts and information boards about the Cam villa as well as other sites including: Chestal, Frocester, Kingscote, Slimbridge, Stancombe, Uley, Wickwar, Woodchester and Wortley.

Why not come along and take a look?

The Heritage Centre is open Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat, 10.00 to 12.00.

It runs from Saturday 25th May and explores the stories of groups and individuals who have moved to Dursley since the year 1900. These stories include those of refugees after WW1, evacuees during WW2, members of the Windrush generation who came to work at Lister’s together together with more recent arrivals who have been displaced due to conflict. Why not come and share some of those experiences?
The Heritage Centre is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10.00 to 12.00.