Dursley, Gloucestershire, England (United Kingdom), Europe

Dursley gained borough status in 1471 but lost it in 1886 From 1837 to 1851 it was the administrative centre of Dursley Registration District which recorded vital records of people living in the parishes of Dursley as well as North Nibley, Coaley, Slimbridge, Stinchcombe, Cam, Nympsfield, Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge, Owlpen and Uley which is tagged as part of Dursley--see note? From 1886 until 1974 Dursley was the administrative centre of Dursley Rural District (RDC). In 1974 the RDC became part of Stroud District The Grade-I listed parish church of St. James the Great dates from the 13th century. The modern building is largely of 14th and 15th century construction and carries the Tudor coat of arms on the outside below the guttering, indicating that some of its construction was funded by the Tudor royals. The original church spire collapsed in January 1699 during a bell-ringing session, causing casualties. The current bell tower, in an imposing Gothic survival style, was built by Thomas Sumsion of Colerne in 1708–09 The pillared market house, complete with statue of Queen Anne and bell turret, dates from 1738, when the town's markets attracted farmers and traders from miles around. It is now maintained by the Dursley Town Trust who also look after Jacob's House and the Heritage Centre.[1] Ancient historical sites in the vicinity give evidence of earlier occupation. Uley Bury is an Iron Age hill fort dating from around 300BC. The area also has Neolithic long barrows; one called "Hetty Pegler's Tump" can be entered. Notable Roman remains exist at Frocester, West Hill near Uley, Woodchester and Calcot Manor