Local History
Rare slave song to go on display at Gloucester Cathedral
One of the world’s oldest surviving music manuscripts depicting voices of enslaved people on the sugar plantations of Barbados is set to go on display at Gloucester Cathedral. It will be part of a new exhibition that will also showcase international artists and local quilt makers, and will run from 6th - 30th September.
Canon Rebecca Lloyd, Gloucester Cathedral’s director of participation, said the works "celebrate the rich tapestry of Gloucester's diverse people and stories".
The manuscript is usually housed at Gloucestershire Archives and is a UNESCO World Heritage document.
It has inspired new art from Gloucester-based artist Rider Shafique, of Bajan descent, and British-Jamaican photographer Vanley Burke, which will go on display in the Cathedral’s Lady Chapel. Their art will also delve into the impact of the transatlantic slave trade, from their perspectives as descendants of Caribbean enslaved people.
There will also be a day of free talks on the subject of slavery, reparations, archives and African music with opportunities to see the film about the slave song at the University of Gloucestershire on 14th September, 10am to 7pm.
Further details to appear on Voices and Archives website later in August 2024.
A new Chair for GLHA
At the GLHA’s AGM on June 17th, representatives from the Association’s 54 member groups elected Sally Self, from Cheltenham Local History Society, as Chair for 2024 - 25. Since she retired from the teaching profession, Sally has volunteered for many local history activities including leading a group of volunteers cataloguing documents at Gloucestershire Archives. She has researched and written articles for the British Association for Local History and for the Cheltenham Local History Society’s journal. She is also a trustee for the Gloucestershire County History Trust which produces the Victoria County History books. She joined the GLHA Committee in 2019.
Attendees gave an appreciative thank you to the retiring Chair, Dr Steven Blake, who stood down from the post after 12 years. Steve was instrumental in setting up the Association in 2012 and has since worked tirelessly to promote interest in local history across the County. A generous gift was presented to him on behalf of member groups and individuals and everyone wished him well in his ongoing research work.
In thanking everyone, Dr Blake said, “Serving as Chair for the past 12 years has been both a pleasure and a privilege, and I step down in the knowledge that I helped to create and sustain an organisation that I believe to be of great value to the County's local history community and a worthy successor to the GRCC Local History Committee that preceded it. I am also confident that with Sally Self as the Association's new Chair and all existing Committee members - with whom I have worked so harmoniously over the years – continuing, the Association is in very good hands”.
GLHA Summer Afternoon meeting 2024
The Association’s Summer Afternoon Meeting was held at The Main Place in Coleford on Sunday, 30th June, and was organised by the Forest of Dean Local History Society. The event was introduced by Nick Penny, the Mayor of Coleford, and Sally Self, Chair of GLHA.
Around 70 people attended and were able to view a series of displays on the history of Coleford and had the opportunity to buy the special Coleford edition of the Society’s journal - The New Regard.
Following an introductory talk on the history of the town by Chris Sullivan, attendees had a choice of one of four walks or visits. Some chose to drive the short journey to Newland church, which dates from the 12th century, where they were given a conducted tour by local historian Averil Kear. Walkers could choose part of the Hidden Heritage walk to explore some of the sites in and around the town, including the remains of the Whitecliff Furnace, with Sue Middleton, or to learn more about the 800 year old history of the town centre with John Lane. The final choice was the Coleford ‘pub crawl’, visiting the sites of over 40 ale houses, beer houses and inns of Victorian Coleford with Simon Moore, who was suitably dressed as an Edwardian gentleman. Many of the buildings have been put to different uses but there are a few of the old pubs still flourishing today.
The day was rounded off in the traditional GLHA fashion with a splendid afternoon tea and the chance to look again at the various displays.
Ice cream, Bridgerton and a Barbadian slave song! This year’s Heritage Conference Day for Year 12s
What a fantastic day was had by all! Students from various schools and colleges across Gloucestershire enjoyed a day packed with all things history at this year’s Heritage Conference Day on the 28 June. Held at the impressive Business School at the University of Gloucestershire, the day included a series of talks and workshops.
Melita Thomas, Author of 1000 Tudors, headlined the event with a fascinating compendium of Tudor peoples. We were amazed by the breadth and interests of the 16th century individuals discussed by Melita, who donned a fabulous Elizabethan costume.
The day opened with a panel of local artists and historians discussing ‘What is heritage now?’ Thanks to Michael Gorley for his capable chairing of the panel. Students also attended two out of eight offered workshops which aimed to both enrich and consolidate their historical understanding. There was a distinctly local flavour though more international areas were also covered. Who knew that millions of Magnum ice creams were made in Gloucester every year? Or that one of the earliest slave songs can be found here in the county? Great fun was had in the Fake News workshop looking at the historical accuracy of programmes such as Bridgerton! And the Forgotten Aviation workshop gave pupils the opportunity to learn all about aeroplane machinery from the experts.
Thanks to everyone involved, either as a participant or in providing such a terrific programme of historic subjects.
The Heritage Conference Day was run by Voices Gloucester with funding from Historic England. It will be taking place again next year so please watch this space…
Cheltenham Local History Society
Cheltenham Local History Society was again well-represented at this year's Gloucestershire Local History Association (GLHA) local history day, held at Hartpury University on 27 July. Twenty two Gloucestershire societies produced displays on the theme of Life Stories, with ours being the life and work of Alfred Miles (1853-1932), the Cheltenham coachbuilder, renowned Borough and County Councillor, Christian preacher and local historian, whose plaque we unveiled at his home in St Anne's Terrace in April 2022.
The event, ably coordinated by our own Sally Self, the new Chairperson of GLHA, and a team of volunteers, was attended by 92 people. It included two very informative and well-illustrated talks about people with strong Gloucestershire connections. Maureen Anderson spoke on Major General Fabian Ware (1869-1949), an educator, journalist and founder of the Imperial War Graves Commission, and Dr Steven Blake on George Rowe (1796-1864), the artist and lithographer and, later, gold prospector in Australia.
The whole day was greatly enjoyed by all who attended, as an opportunity both to network with other local historians and to learn more about the lives of many extraordinary Gloucestershire people. We particularly appreciated the excellent facilities and friendly support from the University staff.