Documents, talks and visits
One of the main functions of the Friends is to buy documents for the Archives when they come on the open market. We’ve bought two sets of documents in the past few weeks.
First, a bundle of Painswick manorial records dating from the 1700s. The National Archives monitor auctions and tell us if any documents relating to Gloucestershire are up for sale. Our bid was successful, and the records have now been put into the safe custody of the Archives.
FoGA Chair, Clive Andrews handing the documents over to Archivist Ally McConnell.
We were very grateful to Painswick Historical Society for contributing to the cost. Manorial records were the personal property of the lord of the manor so have often been lost or remained in private hands, so this was a particularly valuable discovery.
The second set of documents was found in a local junk shop. It was a large bundle of early 20th Century documents created by a now defunct firm of Gloucester solicitors. A deal was quickly struck with the shopkeeper and these documents have also now been handed to the Archives for safe keeping.
Talks
Now that building work at the Heritage Hub is nearing completion, and meeting rooms are available again, the Friends have re-started their annual talks programme.
The latest talk was by Sarah Hosking, artist, writer, former arts administrator, and founder of a charity which offers accommodation to women writers. She gave a very personal talk about Sir Basil Spence, who was a friend of her mother, and the spectacular art he commissioned for Coventry Cathedral. Sarah brought with her one of the nativity sculptures which her mother created and which, after years of abuse, has been restored and now features again each Christmas in the cathedral’s nativity scene.
The nativity scene in Coventry Cathedral.
The talk will be followed by a coach trip to Coventry on Thursday 11 July. Some places may be available for non-members; details on the Friends’ website www.foga.org.uk
Gloucestershire Family History Society
The Friends were please to support the Gloucestershire Family History Society when they celebrated their 40th birthday in April. The society is clearly flourishing, and we wish them all the best for the next 40 years!
Trustees and officers
All charities need committed people to oversee and run them. The Friends have been blessed with many such trustees and officers over its 25-year history. Unfortunately, two trustees have recently had to step down, because of other commitments and ill health, and two more are due to retire in the Autumn.
If you, or someone you know, would be interested in helping the Friends continue their valuable work please contact the Chairman, Clive Andrews, for an informal discussion: candrews@discovermyfamily.co.uk We particularly need someone who could take on the role of Treasurer, even if just for a year or two, but people with other skills, and who are keen to support the Archives, will be equally welcome.