Events

The Gloucester History Festival, 7-22 September 2024

Join 100 of Britain’s top historians and broadcasters for over 200 events spanning the ancient city over two weeks, including the unique tradition of Gloucester Day and Heritage Open Days throwing stunning historical buildings open to all. Gloucester Day kicks off the celebrations on 7 September whilst the Blackfriars Talks take place at the magnificent Blackfriars Priory from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 September.

Visit gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk for more information and to become a member giving you priority booking ahead of the crowd. Booking open in July.

Upcoming events at the Heritage Hub

How does your Garden Grow, Saturday 4th May, 10:00-16:00

Talk on the day - booking essential

11.30: Marion Hill - Gloucestershire Gardens, great and small

Film show - booking essential

1:30: Documentary feature film 'Six Inches of Soil', the inspiring story of British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - to heal the soil, benefit our health and provide for local communities.

Also on the day - vegetable seed planting, garden advice and tours, free soup made from locally sourced produce, information stalls on green and nature related activities.

Heritage Focus Day, Saturday 1 June, 10:00-16:00

Talks on the day - booking essential

11am: Heather Forbes - ‘In Record Time’

1pm: Mark Horton - ‘My Career in Ruins’

3pm: Q&A session on heritage volunteering with a panel of experts

Workshops & Demonstrations - booking essential

10.30am & 2.15pm: Not just books!

11.30am: The art of protective packaging

10.30 & 2:15pm: Mysteries of the Museum

Also on the day:

Advice and information stalls featuring representatives from Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucestershire Libraries, The Museum of Gloucester, The John Moore Countryside Museum, Gloucester Cathedral and Education Centre, Cheltenham College Archives, Cotswold Archaeology, The Jet Age Museum, the Canal and River Trust, the Stroudwater Textile Trust, Gloucestershire Family History Society, Gloucestershire Police Archives, freelance experts and the Archives and Records Association.

An exhibition of 'Treasures of Gloucestershire Archives'

'Behind the scenes' tours of Gloucestershire Archives, 12pm and 3pm

And other events in the pipeline:

Wednesday 22nd May - Secrets Revealed (online talk) - 'Blood, Sweat & Tears – jobs in Gloucestershire’s past'

Wednesday 26th June - Secrets Revealed (online talk) - 'Throw away the key!'

Saturday 6th July - 'Crime and Consequences' - an onsite event at the Heritage Hub, 1-4pm

Saturday 3rd August - 'Bees, Trees and Teas' - a celebration of our beautiful community garden with tea, homemade cakes plus garden and farming inspired talks.

For more information please see Events | Heritage Hub

Voices Gloucester - upcoming events and projects

30th June - 'Sharing the Same Sky', Gloucester Guildhall, 4-8pm

Come along and enjoy a showcase of Chinese arts, as a variety of performers and speakers open a window on this ancient and beautiful culture, to tell stories of those who have travelled halfway across the world to settle in Gloucester. We’ll be treated to a spectacular demonstration of traditional Chinese dance, costume, music, poetry, folk tales – all interwoven with local history, with opportunities to participate and discover a rich heritage.

5th July - 'Jonkunoo', Picturedrome, 162-166 Barton Street, Gloucester, 6.30-8.30pm

A display of traditional Jamaican street theatre.

And finally, a real treat. September 2024 sees the opening of our exhibit ‘Beating Back the Past’ in the Lady Chapel at Gloucester Cathedral – an installation combining textiles, and film and audio by local artist Rider Shafique and the ‘godfather of Black British Photography’ Vanley Burke, exploring the ongoing impact of the enslavement of African people. This artwork is inspired by a Bajan 18th century Slave Song manuscript from UNESCO Memory of the World Register held by Gloucestershire Archives – the earliest known slave song on record.

For more information, please visit the Voices website - Voices Events - Voices Gloucester

April 2024