A NEW display at Wotton Heritage Centre focuses on travelling in and around Wotton-under-Edge through different periods in the town's history.

Called Getting About, the exhibition looks at modes of transport to and from Wotton since the 18th century.

These include mail coaches, carriers, charabancs and carriages.

In June, 1914, some 190 Wotton people were taken to Ascot Races by charabanc and on other days that summer there were other organised trips to the Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at Cheltenham and to Clevedon.

The Swan Inn, Market Street, ran regular vehicles to meet trains at Charfield station when the railway was in operation there, while many of the pubs, including The White Lion in Long Street, had coachhouses.

In the early 20th century, H H Lewton had established his cycle and motor works at the Old Town site now occupied by Renishaw.

Frank James was a cycle and motor agent in Synwell Lane where his father, George James, was a blacksmith. Frank opened Bear Street Garage in 1920.

Around that time there were comments that motor traffic was becoming dangerous to the children at the Bear Street school.

There is also mention of Wotton's connections with the Titanic and Concorde.

The White Star Line, the shipping firm which owned the Titanic, was linked with the family who ran The Star pub in Market Street.

The exhibition at Wotton's museum is brought up to date by mention of the Wotton Hopper.

This is the local bus run by Cotswold Experience, supported by councils, on Tuesdays and Fridays to provide affordable transport between Wotton and surrounding villages.

Details of the Cotswold Way, which runs through the centre of the town, and other walks are included too.

The heritage centre is open Tuesday to Friday (10am-1pm and 2-5pm); Saturdays (10am-1pm); and the first Sunday afternoon of each month from 2.30 to 4.30.

Admission is free, but donations are always gratefully received.

The new exhibition runs until July.