Stoke Orchard and Tredington Community Website
On the main road in Tredington
About Stoke Orchard and Tredington
Both villages have a long and traditional history that you wouldn't normally expect from such a rural location. Located in the western fringes of the Cotswolds but close enough to the vibrant market town of Tewkesbury, Each village has it 's own independant identity formed around a single road running through the both of them
From the 13th century pastoral activities, through the war years, where Stoke Orchard played a vital role in the development of the local aircraft industry, through to the present mainly rural parish, Stoke Orchard and Tredington have a history that many find fascinating.
So, step on board our time machine and join us for a journey of a lifetime !
From the 13th century pastoral activities, through the war years, where Stoke Orchard played a vital role in the development of the local aircraft industry, through to the present mainly rural parish, Stoke Orchard and Tredington have a history that many find fascinating.
So, step on board our time machine and join us for a journey of a lifetime !
People, places and churches
The population of the two villages over the centuries seems to have remained around 200-250. The census in 1871 recorded a population of 238; by 1991 it had risen to 329, it's probably a little bit more than that now, perhaps as high as 375 due to small developments in both villages.
Both Stoke Orchard and Tredington have have 12th Century churches. The church of St John the Baptist at Tredington was restored in 1845. In the churchyard is the shaft of a 14th Century cross.
Stoke Orchard Church of Jt. James of Compostella (a chapel at ease to Bishop’s Cleeve) was not restored by the Victorians and wall paintings were discovered there in 1928 and restored from 1949 to 1957. The earliest, dating from the 12th Century, show 28-29 scenes of the life of St James of Compostella. The church was an important point for pilgrims on the journey to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. (In 1296 Nicholas Archer and the Stoke people were permitted to hear mass and receive the sacrament at Stoke because of the distance from the parish church at Cleeve.
By 1701 there was a Friends’ Meeting House and burial ground in Stoke. Only one Quaker lived there in 1735 and the congregation came from outside. There was reputedly persecution of Quakers in Tewksbury. By 1785 the meetings seem to have ceased and the house was let. There was a Congregational chapel at Stoke from 1865-1939.
Both Stoke Orchard and Tredington have have 12th Century churches. The church of St John the Baptist at Tredington was restored in 1845. In the churchyard is the shaft of a 14th Century cross.
Stoke Orchard Church of Jt. James of Compostella (a chapel at ease to Bishop’s Cleeve) was not restored by the Victorians and wall paintings were discovered there in 1928 and restored from 1949 to 1957. The earliest, dating from the 12th Century, show 28-29 scenes of the life of St James of Compostella. The church was an important point for pilgrims on the journey to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. (In 1296 Nicholas Archer and the Stoke people were permitted to hear mass and receive the sacrament at Stoke because of the distance from the parish church at Cleeve.
By 1701 there was a Friends’ Meeting House and burial ground in Stoke. Only one Quaker lived there in 1735 and the congregation came from outside. There was reputedly persecution of Quakers in Tewksbury. By 1785 the meetings seem to have ceased and the house was let. There was a Congregational chapel at Stoke from 1865-1939.
