Roger Griffin 1985 Photograph by Tristan Forward

The George Hotel was a coaching inn with origins in the 16th Century and the present building dates from 1788. Richard Jefferies in 1867 wrote; The George Commercial Hotel, where good accommodation can be obtained for man and horse at moderate charges, and where the antiquary may congratulate himself upon residing in a house that has been established nearly two centuries. The main doorway was originally an open archway allowing coaches through the building and wheel ruts can still be seen. After the hotel closed Messrs. Oura. Griffin and Bown moved their veterinary practice here in 1978. The practice started in the 1930s when Major Tindle began a horse practice working from Quarry House. Corston. Mr. L. 'Nipper" Constance who had been invalided out of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps joined him in 1942. Treating cattle and (unusually for the time) small animals, Nipper operated from Rodbourne, moving to Lea and finally in 1949 to Burnham House, Malmesbury. Just after the end of the war Peter Oura joined. When Mr. Constance left the partnership in 1964 to run a horse practice in Didmarton. Peter became the sole partner assisted by Roger Griffin who had joined a couple of years before. Burnham House was sold and the practice continued from 97 Gloucester Road where Mr. Griffin became a partner. Peter Bown became an assistant in 1968 and later the junior partner. The practice was renamed the George Veterinary Hospital after the move and in the 20 years since taking up residence has become a substantial business. There are branch surgeries in Wootton Bassett and Tetbury.

Source: Charles Vernon