Richard Thorn MBE

Richard Thorn was a man whose life embodied quiet brilliance and steadfast service. Educated at Dulwich College and later at Queens’ 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 Queens’ and completed his degree in Anthropology and Archaeology, and in 1967 he moved with Veronica to the village of Wrington in Somerset and became a lecturer at what is now the University of the West of England in Bristol (retiring as Senior Lecturer in 1996) sharing his wisdom in Social Anthropology and Media Studies with generations of students.

Richard was a family man, father to two sons 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 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 programmes on BBC Radio Bristol: Guideline, a thoughtful guide for visually impaired listeners, and On Parade, celebrating brass band music — a genre he held dear. His love of community extended to All Saints’ Church in Wrington where he sang in the choir for many years 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.

– Obituary by Richard’s brother-in-law, Trevor Parnham