Friends of Gloucestershire Archives

Who are we?

The Friends of Gloucestershire Archives (FoGA) were established in 1993 to provide help and support to the Gloucestershire Archives (then called Gloucestershire Record Office) and to educate people in the importance of preserving the county's archives.

What do we do?

Gloucestershire Archives focuses on gathering, keeping and sharing the documented and digital history of the Gloucestershire & South Gloucestershire. And so the Friends of Gloucestershire Archives focus on protecting and promoting this rich heritage and participating in events and activities with an archives & heritage theme.

We help protect archives by buying records that come up for sale, where they may be at risk or if they would enhance Gloucestershire Archives' collections. We also raise funds towards the purchase of larger or more important collections. We buy equipment that can help preserve things or that can enhance people's experience of visiting the archives. We also promote and participate in our county’s rich heritage by organising outings, meetings and discussions, holding seminars & other events.

Fundraising

One of our most important roles is to enable Gloucestershire Archives to apply for grants from national funding bodies by generating the required “matched funding”. For the past two years, we’ve been leading on the fundraising for the 'For the Record' project and to date have managed to raise a little over £95,000. This has come from major organisations, parish councils, the Archivists’ Marathon and generous individuals.

And we have fun too…

We visit historic buildings and other heritage destinations during the year (often with tea!), put on talks and also get together at an annual social evening. Many Friends also enjoy the opportunities and training that the Archives provide for their volunteers.

Find out more at http://www.foga.org.uk

You can view our Gloucestershire Archives blog here at https://gloucestershirearchives.wordpress.com/