"We are extremely grateful for Clive's generous donation. It is important that the venue serves the whole community, and this is another step in ensuring everyone feels safe and secure within The Armstrong walls." Jill Dimond, Trustee, Thornbury Community & Arts CIO Clive Washbourne is a prominent Thornbury resident, well known for his neighbourliness and concern with local issues. He first came to Thornbury in 1965, was a member of the police force and has witnessed many c

"Thornbury has a heart that embraces newcomers, and that is something to be incredibly proud of." We sat down with international best-selling author (and queen of family drama) Amanda Prowse. Amanda has published more than 30 books which have been translated into dozens of languages around the world. Arriving at the beautifully restored The Armstrong in Thornbury, Amanda’s infectious smile immediately illuminates the room ... Firstly, Amanda, welcome home! For those who may n

Throughout this blog series we've explored how The Armstrong became a place for celebrations and unforgettable disco nights. Yet another important chapter in its story lies in the performances, traditions and weekly gatherings that have brought Thornbury residents together. For many families, regular visits to the hall became part of everyday life. Marlyn Truckle-Wattley remembers attending bingo here; "me, my mother ... then my children, all went to the Cossham Hall on a Thu

In our last blog, we explored how the Armstrong in day's gone by became a place for celebrations and community gatherings. For many Thornbury residents, however, their strongest memories involve something altogether more exciting - the discos! Long before social media and mobile phones, local teenagers relied on places like the Armstrong to meet friends, socialise and enjoy themselves. The monthly Youth Club discos became a highlight of the calendar. Sandra Cooper remembers t

In this next series of blog posts, we delve back into the archives of The Armstrong. This is not just a community venue of bricks and mortar, this is a building filled to the rafters with stories, memories and celebrations ... Ask people in Thornbury what The Armstrong means to them and the answer is rarely about the building itself. Instead, they talk about weddings, anniversaries, friendships, laughter and the moments that brought them together. For generations, The Armstro

"It's taken a collective effort of more than 100,000 hours worth of volunteering to get us to this point. That is the equivalent of £300,000!" After six long years of campaigning, debating, planning, fundraising and renovating, our beloved arts venue is finally open for business! Our newly opened Cossham Hall hosted its first show in April, a sold-out performance by comedian Alfie Moore that marked the return of Thornbury Arts Festival to its spiritual home. Visitors have bee

If you’ve walked up Thornbury High Street recently, you might have noticed some activity along Chapel Street. After a long period of quiet, The Armstrong (formerly known as The Armstrong Hall) is coming back to life. Scaffolding now surrounds the building, contractors are hard at work, and there’s a real sense that life is returning to this much-loved site. For many people in Thornbury, The Armstrong holds a lot of memories. It was a place for theatre, music, screenings and