James Hodsdon 1947 - 2022
James Hodsdon BA PhD FSA
It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce that James Hodsdon, Chair of the Gloucestershire County History Trust, collapsed and died suddenly and unexpectedly on 20 January 2022.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the progress that the Victoria County History in Gloucestershire has made during the last decade – a red book and a paperback published, and three more red books approaching completion – could not have happened without his drive, enthusiasm and meticulous hard work. In fact it is most unlikely that without him the project would have continued in the county at all. For all of us who worked with him he was our inspiration, and we are reeling from the shock of knowing that he will no longer be there to organise, guide and cajole us with his unique brand of humour, wisdom and sincerity. We have lost a charming, gentlemanly colleague and a dear friend. Beside the leading role he took in the VCH, at national as well as local level, James has served at various times as Chairman of Council of the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, Honorary General Editor of the Gloucestershire Record Series (to which he contributed two volumes himself), Secretary of the Gloucester and District Archaeological Research Group, and Editor of the Cheltenham Local History Society Journal; and he has been involved in some way or other in virtually every field of local history activity in his beloved Cheltenham, where he lived from 1971, and in the county. Our loss, therefore, is shared by many other organisations. It is hard to think of anyone else who has played such an influential part in our local history world as he has, as leader, diplomat, scholar and advocate. We offer our heartfelt and deepest sympathy to Judie and his family.
John Chandler
John Chandler’s commemoration first appeared in the VCH Gloucestershire Newsletter16: January 2022.
VCH Gloucestershire Newsletter 16
The Victoria County History of Gloucestershire
The Victoria County History is one of the world's longest-running research projects, exploring England's rich local history.
Eleven Red Book volumes have been published by VCH Gloucestershire. Three volumes are currently in preparation. Work towards one of these volumes, XV (Cheltenham and District) has produced a VCH Short, Cheltenham before the Spa (2018).
Ten volumes are available free, open-access on British History Online(Opens in new window). For full access to all volumes, check your local library catalogue or your local archive.
Recent publications include Yate, Cheltenham before the Spa and Gloucester Xlll: The Vale of Gloucester and Leadon Valley
For more information about VCH Gloucestershire visit Gloucestershire | Institute of Historical Research (history.ac.uk)
www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/counties/gloucestershire
Alan Ball Local History Awards
Since 1986, the Local Studies Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, acting on behalf of the Library Services Trust, has given annual awards to recognise outstanding contributions in local history publishing. There are currently three awards – for hard copy, digital and community publications. The Award is named after Alan Ball, the former Chief Librarian of the London Borough of Harrow, whose publications include a number of books on topographical prints, including Gloucester Illustrated, published by Halsgrove in 2001.
Because of the pandemic, the Awards had been suspended since 2019, but late last year CILIP decided to offer awards for new local history publications in both 2020 and 2021. The County Archivist, Heather Forbes, passed this information to the Gloucestershire Local History Association, which ‘cascaded’ it to its members, at least two of whom decided to submit applications for the Award.
We were delighted to learn in February that both the hard copy and digital awards for 2020 had been won by Gloucestershire groups. The Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society’s (www.bgas.org.uk) Record Series volume on Managing Poverty: Cheltenham Settlement Examinations and Removal Orders, 1831-52, edited by Dr John Simpson, has won the award for the best hard copy publication and the Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity’s website (www.stroudwaterhistory.org.uk) has won the best digital publication award. So congratulations are due to all involved – and do take a look at the two organisations’ websites to find out more.
As the Award is an annual one, it is hoped that other Gloucestershire local history groups and societies might consider submitting their new publications for future awards. To find out more about the awards, take a look at: www.communityarchives.org.uk/content/news/2021/alan-ball-awards-for-local-history-publication-of-the-year
Steven Blake, Chair, GLHA
Gloucestershire Local History Association Local History Day
14th May 2022, 10.30am - 4.30pm. Entrance £5 for the day
Gloucestershire Local History Association is organising a Local History Day to be held at the University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls Campus on Saturday 14th May 2022.
The theme of the day will be The History of Education in Gloucestershire and will feature talks by four speakers on different aspects of the topic. There will also be displays from local history groups showcasing their research on education in their community.
The winner of the Bryan Jerrard Award for the best article on an aspect of Gloucestershire’s history in a local history publication during 2021 will be announced, and also the winner of the Best Display.
Refreshments will be available.
For programme details see the listing on the events page Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
For information about GLHA visit www.gloshistory.org.uk