IN 1878, the year the Gazette first appeared, the Wotton weekly market closed down after 626 years. It was always held in the Stoney Chipping in front of the Town Hall. Also this year the Phoenix Permanent Building Society was established in Market Street. It later became the Wotton and Dursley Building Society.

The following year the Wotton Alliance Cricket Club was formed. In 1881 Wotton's new vicar, The Rev H Sewell M.A. said at his first address: "of necessity there would be changes to the services in church."

Another change in 1882 was that a detachment of the Salvation Army opened fire in Wotton. They later built new barracks in Old Town. This was bought by

St Mary's Church in 1908 for use as a Parish Room and Sunday School. In the 1970's it was sold to the Wotton Royal British Legion.

On January 1 1885 the new Parish Council met in the Town Hall. Its powers were greatly limited. One decision made at that meeting was that Back Lane should be re-named Gloucester Street.

In 1886 the Corporation of Wotton was officially dissolved. A Town Trust was formed to look after the assets and property of the Market Trustees. New trees were planted on Wotton Hill to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.

In 1888 Lord Fitzharding paid for a wall to be built around the trees on the hill. It is noted that this year the number of houses licensed to sell intoxicating liquor in the Wotton Division was 46. This represents one pub to every 128.9 of the population!

1897 saw the new Tolsey clock erected to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. It was paid for by public subscription.

The following year saw the opening of the new Methodist Chapel, in Bradley Street, replacing the old Ebenezer Chapel, in Haw Street.

In 1900 girls were admitted to Katharine Lady Berkeley's Grammar School for the first time. I'll bet the boys were over the moon!

The Light Railway Commissioners held a public meeting in the town hall. They unanimously decided to recommend the Board of Trade to order the construction of a light railway from Charfield to Wotton.

1902 saw the laying of new granolithos pavements in Wotton replacing the old flagstones.

1909 saw the forming of Wotton Swimming Club at Coombe Lakes. It later moved to Hack Mill Lido until 1939. Only recently the silver cup, last presented in 1914, has come to light after some 90 years.

In 1912 Arthur Derrett, a 1st class steward, went down on the Titanic.

In July 1913 Mr and Mrs WT Coe opened the Electric Picture House in the banqueting room of the Old Crown Hotel.

On June 20 1920 Wotton War Memorial was unveiled by Mrs Cornock. The following year the new Picture House on the ground floor was opened to seat 220 people.

1928 the Wotton Volunteer Fire Brigade took delivery of a brand new Dennis Fire Engine bought by public subscription. Up to that time two horses had pulled the Shand Mason hand pumped engine. That is if they could catch them!

1931 was a year of great excitement - talking films came to the Picture House. In 1934 more great celebrations were held. Katharine Lady Berkeley's Grammar School was 550 years in existence. Many notable people attended.

In 1935 Sir Stanley Tubbs entertained the Wimbledon Tennis stars including Fred Perry, British Champion at Ellerncroft. They came again in 1936. The Vicar the Rev JD Buckley condemned the playing of tennis at Ellerncroft on a Sunday.

German bombs fell at Canons Court and Bournstream in August 1940. Sgt Crook drove into a bomb crater at Bradley Green. At the end of the war a group of interested people founded the Wotton Historical Society.

On a lighter note the Over 60's Club was founded in Wotton in 1951. In 1963 the Duke of Beaufort opened the Over 60's Club Room. The first purpose built Over 60s clubroom in Gloucestershire.

1973 under Local Government re-organisation Wotton Town Council was established and the chairman became mayor of Wotton. We had a mayor again after a break of some 90 years.

1980 saw a royal visitor to Wotton. HRH Princess Anne opened Renishaw's new offices in Bradley Street. Later in 1997 HRH Princess Alexandra was to open these same buildings as Wotton Civic Centre.

In 1994 the Wotton Historical Society opened the Heritage Centre in the old Fire Station in the Chipping. It was opened to show records and artefacts of the rich history of Wotton. It has over 6,000 visitors per year. In 2005 the society will celebrate its diamond anniversary.

Finally on September 14, 2003, Holy Cross day, we celebrated the 750th anniversary of the granting of Borough status of Wotton in 1253 by Lady Joan Berkeley. Mr John Berkeley, of Berkeley Castle, a direct descendant of Lady Joan joined our celebrations. It was a most wonderfully happy occasion. It really was the best occasion I have ever witnessed in Wotton. This is just a few of the events and milestones of Wotton over the past 125 years. Hope you find them of interest.