St John Street

Number 23

This property has gone through three distinct phases:

Garden land
The land on which number 23 was built was originally a piece of garden land attached to the house which became known as number 1 Saw Mill Lane.  On the 1840 Tithe Survey this house and garden were owned by George Taylor and occupied by Jane Hopkins.  Click here to read more about the history of this house and garden

The photograph below was taken around 1905.  Taken from Pullins Green it shows the large gap between the properties in St John Street and those in Pullins Green.

Gas & Electric Showroom
In 1932 plans were submitted by Walter Pitcher and Sons, the builders for a new showroom for the Thornbury Gas Company.  The original plans shown in the plans were for a single story showroom.  We are not sure whether the showroom was ever built in this form or if it was built as the two storey premises which we see today.  Click here to read about how gas was introduced to Thornbury.

The photograph below was probably taken in 1934 or 1935 as the posters on the door are advertising two films being shown at The Picture House in Thornbury; "Little Friend " and "Song at Eventide" and both of these films were made in 1934.  Outside on the brick wall next to the door are two brass plaques which appear to be those that a registered company had to have. Two plaques were necessary because at this period the Trade Directories show two companies; the Electric Light and Power Company and the Gas Light and Coke Co Ltd.  Francis Grace was official secretary to both.

We know that the rooms above the showroom was used as a flat let out to tenants.  In 1946 this was occupied by Harold and Olive Davenport  In 1954 Harold Henry Moss and his wife Brenda were tenants and they were still living there in 1958 when the building was put up for auction by the Trustees of Edmund Cullimore's estate.  In the auction, the property is described as:

 'A valuable corner Showroom with Flat over.  The front showroom is let to the Gas Board on an annual tenancy at a rental of £39 per annum, the tenant paying rates, but the office at the rear is in hand.  The Flat over comprises front sitting room, living room, front bedroom, kitchen with sink and built-in cupboards and bathroom off, fitted bath, wash-basin and gas geyser.  W.C. on ground floor.  All main services connected.  It is let to Mr B. Moss at a rental of 15/- per week inclusive.  Rateable value £19 Flat, £10 Offices and Premises.'

By 1965 the Mosses had moved to 3 Pullins Green, and there is no record of anyone living in the flat.

Hair & Beauty Salon
For more than thirty five years the hair and beauty salon has been known as "Adrian's."   This is interesting because it was given this name by the owner of the business, Alan Reeves.  Apparently it was thought that "Adrian" sounded more suitable.  The salon has kept the name although the ownership of the business has changed and it  is now owned by Paula Wintour.  The photograph below was taken about 1971 showing number 23 being used by Adrian Hair and Beauty salon.

Click here to read about the various owners of the property

This page was last updated: 03/04/2008