The Priory, Dursley

The Priory was formerly the Vizard family residence, known as Townsend House.

George Lister's son Robert Ashton Lister became estranged from his father and in 1867 set up his own company. In the early part of the 20th, the building was acquired by R.A. Lister, the world famous engineering company. It was to remain the headquarters of R.A. Lister for the majority of the 20th century.

Evidence suggests that Edwin Budding moved to Dursley in the 1840s to work for George Lister at Rivers Mill, making carding machines for the textile industry.