UP AND AWAY!
The stunning new aerospace museum at Filton showcases a hundred years of aircraft manufacturing in the Bristol area. There you will discover the history of flying – from early 20th century aeroplanes, that were little more than bikes with wings, to the breath-taking majesty of Concorde.
On 14 May some of the Friends were fortunate to join Archives staff and volunteers on a specially arranged visit. We not only marvelled at the exhibits but also went behind the scenes to explore the museum’s archives. Gloucestershire Archives staff advised on setting them up. You can tell a true archivist when they make a beeline for the mobile storage racks to discover how smooth the mechanism is! Particularly interesting were early ledgers showing spare parts for planes being bought at airfields all over the country – wherever a pilot had to land to replace a failing part!
Our thanks to Heather Forbes for inviting Friends to join this special visit. More information about Aerospace Bristol here
AND STILL GOING STRONG
This year the Friends of Gloucestershire Archives is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. When founded in 1993 the archive world was very different and much less community focused. Throughout the changes the Friends have been there to support Gloucestershire’s archives, most recently raising over £133,000 towards refurbishing the Alvin Street buildings. Many other organisations and individuals provide invaluable help, but the Friends is the only organisation which exists specifically to support the Archives and to raise funds for it.
Liz Jack, one of the Friends’ longest serving members, has created a photographic display in the Archives’ reception area illustrating the charity’s activities and achievements. Pictures of social events, talks and outings are featured alongside photos of equipment and documents which the Friends have bought. Do have a look if you’re visiting the Archives, and if you’re not a member already, please think about joining. Membership forms are available in reception or you can find out more at: http://www.foga.org.uk/newmem.php Although annual subscriptions are a modest £10, every one of them helps to preserve Gloucestershire’s heritage.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
On Friday 10th August we have a private visit to Whittington Court, the spectacular Tudor manor house near Cheltenham. We will follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth I, who visited in 1592, and have the chance to see the fine collection of glass, ceramics, textiles, minerals, fossils, Egyptian artefacts and books. We will also see a selection of the house’s archives, which are not usually on public display.
