Local History Day
A successful Local History Day was held at the University of Gloucestershire, School of Business and Technology, on Saturday, 11th May, organised by the Gloucestershire Local History Association. This year’s topic was “Local History Today: themes, challenges and opportunities”.
The day began with an explanation of the postgraduate course in West Midlands History that can be studied at Birmingham University. Dr Matt Cole discussed the topics that can be studied and the resources available for research. More details about the course can be found at The Centre for West Midlands History on the Birmingham University website.
An enjoyable aspect of the Day was the opportunity for people to catch up with friends from other local societies. 70 local history enthusiasts from across the County attended during the Day, which included a break for lunch and a chance to browse the bookstalls provided by Geoff North and the History Press.
After lunch, the Bryan Jerrard Award for the best article in a local history Journal published during the previous year was presented. The winner for 2018 was Louise Ryland-Epton for her article “Cirencester Workhouse under the Old Poor Law” published in Transactions of the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society 135 (2017), with the runner-up prize going to Derek Benson for his article “The 1714 Coronation Riot in Tewkesbury” published in Tewkesbury Historical Society Bulletin 27 (2018).Thanks to The History Press for sponsoring the prizes and to Bryan Jerrard for presenting them.
Dr Alan Crosby with Bryan Jerrard and the winners of the Bryan Jerrard Award, Derek Benson and Louise Ryland-Epton
The afternoon speaker was Dr Alan Crosby, the Editor of the British Association for Local History’s Journal, The Local Historian, talking about the themes, challenges and opportunities in local history today. As an editor he has been involved in publishing 441 articles over the past 18 years! Popular topics tend to focus on how local communities have been affected by national events. However, local events have had a great influence on national history. He encouraged looking beyond “the facts” into the interpretation of events and experiences and the impact they had on society. There is a wider range of sources available to researchers than ever before and Dr Crosby hoped that groups would continue to publish their work to a wide audience both online and in books.
GLHA is now planning the next Local History Day, to be held in April 2020, with the theme of “Education”.
The 2019 Local History Day was partly sponsored by Renishaw plc.
More information about GLHA events may be found on the Association’s website, www.gloshistory.org.uk
Gloucestershire Local History Association was established in 2012 and is a voluntary organisation of around 50 local history groups, societies and organisations across Gloucestershire. It aims to promote interest in local history throughout the County and to encourage people to become involved with the history of their own communities.
Contact Vicki Walker secretary walkeravsj@aol.com. Additional information about the Association and its activities may be found at www.gloshistory.org.uk.