Recent activity
Gloucester History Festival
For the first time this September the Friends became involved in the Gloucester History Festival. The festival itself was a triumph; over 27,000 tickets were sold and that did not include the enormous number of people who attended free, un-ticketed, events.
The Friends sponsored a fascinating, and very well attended, talk by historian, lecturer and author Marcus Roberts on the Jewish history of Gloucester. Much of his research had been done at the Archives and a number of times during his talk he mentioned the importance of the Friends and the Archives. The audience were handed leaflets about the Friends as they left.
The Friends also arranged three short talks called ‘Discoveries in the Archives’. Heather Forbes spoke about music documents held at the Archives, including an 18th Century Barbadian slave song which is of international significance. Fiona Mead shared insights into Victorian and Edwardian life as revealed by school log books of the time, and Clive Andrews explored the sad story of Susannah Jordan, whose monument is in St Nicholas Church, Gloucester.
The Friends’ logo appeared on the festival brochure and we hope to have even more involvement next year.
Publicity
As part of its mission to promote and support the Archives the Friends produced new publicity material in time for the Gloucester History Festival. Two new roller banners were designed, one for general use and one for the Archives’ reception area. The banner in reception will be part of a campaign to attract new members from researchers who have appreciated their visits.
A new brochure has also been produced featuring the colourful Gloucester City Charter of Richard III, which dates from 1483. The brochure was available at many of the History Festival events and plentiful supplies are also in the Archives’ public areas.
If you are not a Friend already, why not join and know that your subscription will make a real contribution to Gloucestershire Archives?
Fundraising news
The Friends successfully applied to The Henry Smith Charity for the maximum grant of £20k, over 2 years, towards the salary for the Engagement Officer for Older People who will deliver an exciting reminiscence project from January 2018.
House of Memories App
Gloucestershire Archives have developed the archival and Gloucestershire content for the House of Memories App. This app will be used to engage with older folk, particularly those with early stage dementia. The Friends have recently submitted a bid to the Co-op Community Fund to further support this project.
Judy Kimber and Phoebe Brunt discussing the House of Memories App
