Handel Cossham.
In a small house in the `High Street` was born to Jesse Cossham, carpenter and builder, a son on 31st March, 1824 he was named Handel Cossham because of his father`s admiration for `The Messiah`.
In the same house had been born his Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather.
He became a local preacher at the age of 20, preaching at Crossway`s Chapel.
In 1862 he built the British School at Thornbury, which now forms the `School` at Gillingstool.