ACTON (IRON), a parish partly in the lower division
of the hundred of GRUMBALD'S-ASH, but chiefly in
the lower division of the hundred of THORNBURY, county
of GLOUCESTER, 3 miles (W. N. W.) from Chipping-
Sodbury, containing 1122 inhabitants. The living is
a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Gloucester,
rated in the king's books at £16. 10., and in the
patronage of the Dean and Canons of Christ Church,
Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. James, is in
the latest style of English architecture: the interior
contains the tomb of Robert Poyntz, who is said to
have erected the tower. In the churchyard there is a
beautiful cross, raised on arches, but much mutilated.
The parish derives the prefix to its name from some
iron-works which formerly existed here. Fairs for cattle,
horses, pigs, and cheese, are held on April 25th and
September 13th.