A source of sauce in the Heritage Hub garden

A large part of the Green Pledge Project currently happening at Gloucestershire Archives involves people connecting to nature, taking note of their environmental surroundings and consequently, in our case, developing the beautiful space that we are so lucky to have - the Heritage Hub garden. Our growing project here - Grow with Wiggly is going from strength to strength.   As we move into the autumn season Project Grow and Wiggly Charity have collaborated on a new project Social Source. 

At the start of 2024, these two organisations teamed up to grow vegetables in the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub community garden for use in  Wiggly cookery courses. However, as our project flourished, we realised that this activity had the potential to deliver even more social impact.  We have now created a range of fresh sauces for sale, with all profits feeding into Project Grow CIC and Wiggly Charity. Volunteers grow and harvest our products in Gloucester and  the sauces are handmade into small batches of seasonal deliciousness by our Wiggly Chef in Gloucester. Our vision is  to expand Social Source to support our growing projects and cookery classes so that we can empower and upskill  vulnerable people of all ages and abilities and offer employability opportunities in our kitchens and the garden.

Our first two products are a Mulberry Dessert Sauce, made with fruit harvested from the Bishop of Gloucester’s garden and a Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce, which uses some of the tomatoes grown in the Heritage Hub garden. Both are available via our Crowdfunder, which we have set up to support the development of a sustainable income stream. You can get on board and show your love for Social Source by signing up for one of a selection of rewards at www.crowdfunder.co.uk and search for Social Source.

Would your group or organisation like to host a Green Pledge Project Talk?

The Green Pledge Project Team are currently uncovering fascinating stories which relate to the environmental records held at Gloucestershire Archives. 

We have, for example, weather data, flooding accounts going back centuries, material that illustrates man’s shifting relationship with wildlife and the landscape and much more besides.

We have prepared a talk which gives a flavour of the records found so far and this could also be followed up by a visit to the Archives at the Heritage Hub where material relating to your group’s particular interest can be viewed and discussed. 

 

There is no charge for talks or visits but there are a limited number of slots available as the project closes on 31 August 2025.  Therefore, please don’t delay if you are interested. We would be delighted to hear from you.  

Please email Marion Hill, Learning & Outreach Officer,Green Pledge Project at Marion.Hill@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Gloucestershire Local History Association – Working with Schools Forum

Jemma Fowkes and John Putley attended the GLHA forum which met at Gloucestershire Heritage Hub on 9 September with the subject being ‘Working with Schools’.  Members from around 15 local history groups attended.  The topic is always a perennial favourite among heritage organisations, and it is one of the most difficult things a local history society can tackle, but is a really good way of promoting local history societies amongst the communities that they operate in and potentially obtaining new members from them. 

After a general introduction, the room was split into different groups and each group worked through a sheet with questions revolving around the subject.  This triggered discussions that ranged from ‘getting past the school secretary’ (always badged as a harridan defending her headmaster & school from unwanted intrusions!) to how groups could  work with schools, what subjects local history groups could offer and how to plan potential schemes of work.  Other  musings included finding out what teachers wanted, safeguarding, identifying suitable subjects in local areas,  organising and planning school visits and much more besides.  The round-table groups covered a vast range of topics,  with some great discussions and there were some really good ideas put forward.  Sally Self led the meeting and the  end summary and everyone who attended went away with some new insights and good ideas to put to their societies.  All in all, it was an excellent afternoon’s work that will no doubt bear fruit.  

80 Years, 80 Photos, 80 Stories

Local history enthusiast, Rick Jordan, is keen to create a project to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of both V E Day and V J  Day in 2025. The project would be called "80 Years, 80 Photos, 80 Stories - Life on the Home Front". 

The first aim of this project would be to select 80 photos taken on The Home Front during World War 2, and to discover the stories behind them. Details might include where the photo was taken, what event was being recorded, the names of the people in the photo and their stories of life during the war and afterwards. Rick is looking for any photos, including those already published in books or online which may not have the full story behind them.

The second aim would be to display the photos and their stories as an exhibition somewhere within Gloucester City.  For example at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, The Folk of Gloucester Museum, The Soldiers of Gloucester Museum, the County Library Service and anywhere else interested in the project.

Do you have any photos of life on the Home Front during World War 2, that you would like to contribute to the project? Ideally with as much detail about the photos as you can find. 

For more information and to offer help with the project, please phone Rick Jordan on 01453 822936  or 07518020321 or email rickjordan455@gmail.com

Visit Rick's Facebook page to find out more https://www.facebook.com/groups/1041471074102122

Come along to our Family History Fair at the Heritage Hub on 2 November from 10am and be inspired

Everyone investigates family history for a different reason.  Sometimes they want to understand more about the lives of their own ancestors and make sense of half-remembered stories or random items which have come down the generations.  Then there are the researchers who want to unearth the now-forgotten story behind a photograph, put a more personal spin on national and international events, discover who lived in their house, street or community or dive down some new rabbit hole.  The list is almost endless and there is no right or wrong.  

Whatever your interest or level of experience, our Family History Fair has you covered.

 We have two very different but equally inspiring speakers.  Jo Teague, a local textile historian and researcher who interprets the lives of local people in stitches and fabric.  GFHS volunteers help her to research these stories so she’ll be talking about her latest project ‘Stitching Lives Together’ which celebrates some of the many Gloucester folk who worked with textiles, from sail makers to dressmakers.  Dr Nick Barratt needs no introduction and his thoughts about the future of family and local history are always stimulating.  Just to warn you - these talks must be booked in advance via the Heritage Hub website heritagehub.org.uk

Whether you’re just starting your research, have hit a problem or if you’ve done the basics but aren’t quite sure where to go next, our volunteers will be delighted to help you.  You’ll also be able to see (and check) some of the unique indexes in the FH Centre.  Don’t worry if the people you’re researching aren’t Gloucestershire born and bred - we have access to many of the main FH websites and are an affiliated FamilySearch Library.  Our volunteers can help you get the best from these sites.

If you have a question about DNA, professional genealogist, Mia Bennett, will be offering some short advice sessions between 10.15am and 12.30pm - you can book these when you arrive.  If you want to investigate a different way of managing and sharing the information you find, talk to Simon Davies who has developed a new platform called WeAre.XYZ - no need to book, he’s running demos throughout the day. 

 We’ll also be welcoming a wide variety of local family history and heritage groups so you can ask their advice and discover what they offer.  These groups include Bristol & Avon, Malvern and Wiltshire Family History Societies, the Gloucestershire Police Archives, the Romany & Traveller Family History Society, the Gloucestershire Mariners’ Project, the Gloucester Local History Society and the local branch of the Guild of One Name Studies. GGloucestershire Archives is offering behind-the scenes tours during the day together with a document display so this is a not-to-be missed chance to see the originals of the some of the digital resources.  The Archives team will also be able to advise you about preserving your own archives - who doesn’t have a box of old photos, letters or other items in need of a bit of TLC?

 The whole event is free, there is plenty of parking onsite and tea and biscuits throughout the day.

 We look forward to welcoming you!

Friendly activity at the Hub!

The Friends of Gloucestershire Archives charity was founded 30 years ago to support the work of Gloucestershire Archives.

​The Archives look after the historical documents of the counties of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, including the records of the Diocese of Gloucester.  It is one of the largest county archives in the United Kingdom.  Documents, dating from the 1100s, are stored on over eleven miles of shelving located in purpose built, climate controlled, strongrooms.  The documents, and photographs, are a priceless record of Gloucestershire's history and thousands of visitors come to the Archives each year to research family, local or national history or access its website.

​The Friends is a registered charity and raises funds so that the Archives can obtain documents and equipment beyond the scope of statutory funding. Members come from all over the world but those living locally have the opportunity to attend regular talks and to participate in visits to places of historical interest.

With that in mind, we are keen to promote the following upcoming event:

 The History of the Regal Cinema, 1929-1962  on Thursday 12 December with Ross Campbell

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The talk will be held in the Dunrossil Centre at the Heritage Hub. Tea (and possibly popcorn) will be served from 2pm with the talk beginning at 2.30pm

Free entry for all members of the Friends of Gloucestershire Archives.

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November events at the Heritage Hub

 The Family History Fair

Saturday 2 November 2024, 10am-4pm

Join us to discover more about your family history.

Talks by Jo Teague, a local based textile historian, researcher and artist and Dr Nick Barratt on the joys of family and local history research.  Get advice on your research and  DNA ancestry testing and be inspired by our experts. Have a look 'behind the scenes' at Gloucestershire Archives and enjoy a display of family history related documents.  

For more information and to book, please go to https://www.heritagehub.org.uk/events/

December events at the Heritage Hub

'Float' - an all day focus on Gloucestershire's canals and waterways

Saturday 7th December, 10am-4pm

Talks and performances – booking essential

11am - An Introduction to Gloucestershire’s Canals by Tony Conder

1pm - The Stroudwater Canal by Martin Bryan

2.30pm - ‘Creative Canals’ – watch a lively session of drama and art inspired by our canals delivered by youth groups, Stroud College and various schools in Stroud, with John Bassett and Tony Chalk, part of the Heritage Learning Forum; ropemaking demonstration throughout the day and 'Guess the canal object!' with experts on hand to provide further information.

Also on the day:

Heritage stands from Canal & Rivers Trust, Cotswold Canals Trust, Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity and Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust;  Gloucester & District Model Boat Club – display of model boats; document display of records relating to canal collections at Gloucestershire Archives; demonstration of the Stroud Navigation Archive Charity’s award-winning website; free refreshments throughout the afternoon

In barges, boats and ships or maybe pirates? Discover your heritage at the Gloucestershire Family History Resource Centre

For further information and to book see here

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'A Merry Gathering'

Wednesday 18th December, 10am-3pm

Featuring:

Making Christmas sustainable – table and tree decorations with the Green Pledge Project. Re-purpose your unwanted gifts and pick up pressies for free! 10am-12 noon

Performance by Gloucestershire Libraries Over 60’s Choir, carol singing, 11.30am-12.30pm

Talk (please book): ‘A Gloucestershire Archives’ Christmas’, John Putley, 1.15pm

Free refreshments; Christmas nibbles and a visit from Santa, 2.30pm

For further information and to book see here

A new vision for the heritage of Yate

A day in the life of a Police Archives volunteer...

Have you ever wondered what we do in the police archives? We gave you a flavour last time but there is more.

There are 8 volunteers and one member of police staff who are all based in the Police Archives office, conveniently next to the Heritage Hub kitchen!  The tasks undertaken are rich and varied and range from answering queries from members of the public, retired officers and their families as well as current police officers and staff, usually in connection with their relatives and/or the history of the Force.

We enjoy talking to people who ‘discover’ us when they visit the Heritage Hub. We give talks on the history of the constabulary, support Force and Hub colleagues and partners at outreach events.  We also transcribe documents and drawing on our former detective skills, extract police related information from council documents.  We investigate both the life and careers of police officers. 

We have a website, dedicated to Gloucestershire Police Archives, which is regularly maintained with new information and images.  This helps to capture and share Gloucestershire's rich and diverse police history and heritage. We also link up with other police history organisations and police forces to share information and attend conferences to extend our knowledge and contacts through networking. We seek out police artefacts and ensuring they are kept for posterity, help other organisations when their history pathway crosses ours. Finally, we regularly provide photographs for national publications to use in various articles and help authors with their research.

Currently our band of volunteers are working on the following tasks: 

Extracting career information from general orders
Transcribing pocket books from the 1870sTaking the Chief Constables reports from Standing Joint Committee meetings
Transcribing Chief Constables orders from the 19th century
Finding information about military service
Investigating the Charles Chamberlain Military Medal, looking into acts of bravery
Looking at crimes from the early 20th century to see if they can be included on the website
Looking at reasons why police officers left in the early days of the Constabulary and what, if any, support was there for them.

You will see that some tasks are ongoing whilst others have changed since our last newsletter.

If you are interested in finding out what we do, please come and talk with us in the Chester Master Room in the Heritage Hub. We are open Monday to Wednesday until 2.30pm. And if you're wondering who Chester Master was, Richard Chester Master was the Chief Constable from 1910 until 1917 when he was killed on active service in France...just one of the many Police facts we can share with you!