Local History
Victoria County History
Since mid-October last year, the Victoria County History team (in collaboration with the University of the West of England, and supported by Gloucestershire Archives) have been running twice monthly workshops on aspects of local history. These have proved incredibly popular, attracting audiences of around 40 people each time.
The workshops continue until the beginning of March so there is still time to get involved. www.heritagehub.org.uk/local-history-workshops/local-history-workshops-2022-2023/
- 31 Jan: MOVEMENT AND MIGRATION: roads, canals and railways – the study of population, including settlement shift and desertion – migration, immigration – women’s lives under-represented - drift from countryside to town.
- 14 Feb: COMMUNITY, SOCIETY AND WELFARE: caring for the poor, sick and elderly – local and national justice – bringing up and educating children – social activities, legal and illegal, moral and immoral.
- 28 Feb: WORKING LIVES: farming the land – rural and urban trades and industries – labour relations and conflicts – restoring the balance between male and female work.
- 14 Mar: THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION: ubiquity of the medieval church – monasteries and chantries – effect of the reformation – puritans and nonconformists – Victorian religiosity and its aftermath.
PLEASE NOTE - If you are having difficulties booking onto a particular session, it may be because it has reached capacity. If this happens, please contact kate.maisey@gloucestershire.gov.uk in case a place becomes available. The sessions may be repeated at a later date if there is enough demand.
Stroud Local History Society
A new book from Stroud Local History Society
In October 2022 Stroud Local History Society published an anthology of research, first circulated in newsletters to entertain Society members suddenly isolated by the Covid lockdowns. Several new topics surfaced during those two years, ranging from Stroud's early police force and bus companies to 1960s dancing classes.
The existence of a previously unknown painting of Rodborough Church by Edgar Bucknall (our cover illustration) was one of the most exciting discoveries and SLHS members had the time to explore Stroud's institutions, buildings, manufacturers, people and pastimes from their armchairs. The result - Homegrown Histories - is a thoroughly entertaining read.
For more information visit -
www.stroudlocalhistorysociety.org.uk
www.digitalstroud.co.uk
www.facebook.com/StroudLocalHistorySociety
Pauline Stevens, Secretary, Stroud Local History Society
For information about upcoming Stroud Local History Society meetings visit the events page
March 16th 2023
“What is this life, if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare”, W H Davies (1873-1940) the Super-Tramp Poet by John Roberts. W H Davies’ last home was Glendower at Watledge, Nailsworth.
April 20th 2023
Major General, Sir Fabian Ware, KCVO, KBE, CB, CMG - “A truly great Gloucestershire man”. Teacher, newspaper editor and the founder of the Imperial War Graves Commission, who came to live in Amberley. A talk by Maureen Anderson.
To book a place for either meeting (pay on the day) please email: contact@stroudlocalhistorysociety.org.uk
Gloucester Local History Society
Gloucester History
Gloucester Local History Society brings together everyone with an interest in the history of Gloucester. It was formed in 2012 under the chairmanship of Jerry Jenkinson who had previously spent over 20 years researching the history of this fascinating area. His papers now form the basis of the Society’s archive.
The first two years of the Society’s existence saw a steady increase in membership. Meetings took the form of open discussion as members shared research experiences and memories of by-gone days. There was a keen emphasis on social history, gathering the memories of local people who had lived in the city all their lives and who had seen and felt the impact of ‘progress’.
Since 2015 speakers have been invited to share their local knowledge with members on topics central to Gloucester’s heritage. Contact is made with the wider community through Twitter and Facebook. The hope is that Gloucester Local History Society will continue to thrive and to inspire people to take an interest in the centuries of history that lie beneath our feet.
All meetings now take place in the Dunrossil Centre, Gloucestershire Archives (aka the Heritage Hub), Clarence Row, Gloucester, GL1 3DW, on the first Tuesday of the month (September – June), at 7pm unless otherwise stated.
Parking is available at the archives. Non-members are welcome to attend (admission £3).
For more information about the society and how to become a member visit www.gloucesterlocalhistory.co.uk/
Twitter - twitter.com/GloucesterLHS FB - www.facebook.com/groups/GLHS.Info/
Members celebrating the society’s 10th anniversary in September 2022
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2023
Tuesday 7th February – The Fab 50s, Virginia and David Adsett
Tuesday 7th March – Dendrochronology in Gloucester: Past, Present and Future, Dr. Andy Moir
Tuesday 4th April – Port to Port, a historical journey along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, Paul Barnett
Tuesday 2nd May – Who Lived in Westgate Street? Gloucestershire Family History Society Volunteers
Visit the Events page here for more information
Voices Gloucester
Join our Community Panel
At Voices Gloucester we rely on invaluable advice from members of the local community to curate our programme, to ensure that it’s as accessible, relevant and as representative of Gloucester as possible. If you want to celebrate Gloucester’s history, people and share untold stories why not join our Community Panel?
We’re currently looking for two new members, and are especially interested in hearing from young people (18 - 25yrs) and those from a non heritage sector background. See more information about our Community Panel here, and for more information do get in touch.
Gloucester's Regeneration Journey
September's event looking at the highs and lows of the city's development was fully booked, and out of it came some interesting conversations! As promised, we gathered up all the questions and with the help of Gloucester City Council we got some answers. These are available on our website. Click here to view a copy.
Website & Film Content
We have listened to your feedback about it not always being easy to access our digital content and have been working behind the scenes to make some improvements. Look out for announcements on social media in the New Year when we'll be sharing some of the wonderful films commissioned or shared through Voices in 2022, on topics as varied as the memories of Gloucester's Kindertransport hostel; the city's first interracial marriage and a wonderful interpretation of Gloucester's bygone LGBTQ+ scene in the 1980's.
We also keen to hear from potential Guest Blog contributors. We have had some great folk share their memories and reflections - take a look and get inspired to send in your own
For more information visit the Voices Gloucester website
Visit the Voices Gloucester Events for more information
Gloucester History Festival
Seasons Greetings from the Gloucester History Festival
Janina Ramirez, our Festival President, offers a sneak preview of the Festival’s plans for 2023.
‘As we gear up for the Coronation of a new King, we’re thrilled to bring you our new Spring History Festival from Friday 21- Sunday 23 April and, of course, the main Gloucester History Festival which is back from Saturday 2 - Sunday 17 September. Watch out for the line up of speakers for the Spring Festival coming soon.
2023 also sees the 600th anniversary of Dick Whittington - the Gloucestershire man of legend who became thrice Lord Mayor of London - visit gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk to read all about his intriguing story and links to the village of Coberley which we’ll be delving into at next September’s Festival. And visit our Christmas page to enjoy the best of past festivals with David Olusoga and Mary Beard, plus a Christmas message from historians and Festival Patrons Michael Wood and Bettany Hughes, sharing an ancient Babylonian greeting from 4,500 years ago: ‘to peace and to life and to love’.
‘Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year.’
www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk
