A Tribute to Richard Thorn, MBE
Devoted scholar, compassionate neighbour, family man and cherished guardian of Wrington’s living history.

Richard Thorn was a man whose life embodied quiet brilliance and steadfast service. Educated at Dulwich College and later at Cambridge University, he pursued a passion for understanding people and communities through the lens of Social Anthropology—an academic path that would become the soul of his work and his worldview.

His time at Cambridge was delayed by national service when he met Veronica, his lifelong partner, while both served in the RAF—she as a nurse, he as a determined young man until tuberculosis struck. Their bond was tested and deepened on a smallholding in Kent, where love and resilience saw Richard nursed back to health by Veronica’s devoted care. Amid ducks and chickens, they rebuilt his strength and laid the foundation for the life that followed.

Following his recovery, Richard returned to Cambridge and later became a lecturer at what is now the University of the West of England, sharing his wisdom in Social Anthropology and Media Studies with generations of students. In 1967, he and Veronica moved to Orchard Close in Wrington—a village that would become both his muse and his mission.

Richard was a family man, father to Simon and Andrew, and an unwavering pillar in the Wrington community. Through his ever-present camcorder, he recorded weddings, fetes, interviews, and shopkeepers—capturing moments of local life with tenderness and curiosity. In 1999, he founded Wrington’s first village website, preserving not only the footage he’d gathered but also delving deep into the village’s past. With a scholar’s eye and a storyteller’s heart, he built a digital archive that honoured Wrington’s heritage and served as a beacon for future generations.

Alongside his work on the website, Richard shared his voice through two cherished Radio Bristol programmes: Guidelines, a thoughtful guide for visually impaired listeners, and another celebrating brass band music—a genre he held dear. His love of community extended to All Saints Church, where he sang in the choir and served as church warden not once, but twice.

Never content to simply observe, Richard taught internet classes for beginners, ensuring that Wrington’s digital door was open to all, regardless of age or background. His efforts earned him national recognition, and in 2006, he was awarded the MBE for his contributions to disabled people in Bristol and his tireless devotion to Wrington.

Richard Thorn gave Wrington more than just a record of its past—he gave it a voice, a memory, and a heart. His work stitched together the everyday and the extraordinary, making Wrington not just a place, but a living story. We honour him not only for what he did, but for the way he did it—with gentleness, intellect, and a deep love for people and places