A fond farewell but watch this space!

For the past two years Jemma Fowkes, Community Heritage Officer for Gloucestershire Archives has run the Heritage Ambassadors programme, funded by Historic England and Voices Gloucester.  The Heritage Ambassadors are a group of young people, aged 15-17 years old, from Gloucestershire, who meet several times a year to share their love of history. Last week she bid a fond farewell to the latest group. 

'I left the final Heritage Ambassadors' meeting, feeling giddy from the glut of heritage and history we'd experienced! Visiting firstly, St Nicholas' Church, and then popping over the road to The Folk, our Ambassadors experienced two very different historic buildings.

Thanks to the CCT's Isobel, for her thoughtful tour of the church. There was much to love. Especially the door knocker showing the Devil dragging a drunk woman to hell! Isobel drew attention to the difficulties involved in looking after churches, whilst challenging the students to consider how they could be used. A silent disco was my favourite suggestion! At The Folk, knowledgeable guides, Richard and Andrew, led us around the gorgeous timber-framed building. They enthused the Ambassadors with the importance of memory and stories, the narrative weaving through different times and events and including Gloucester's most notorious individuals. I was saddened this was the last of our meetings. This year's cohort have been a joy! Thank you to all the Ambassadors for their love of history and heritage. Also thanks to Hundred Heroines, Canon Photography, The Folk, the CCT and Gloucester Civic Trust for providing the inspiration!'

However, there is good news! The Heritage Ambassadors programme will be restarting in November. If you are or know anyone aged between 15-17 with a love of heritage, please get in touch with Jemma directly by email on Jemma.fowkes@gloucestershire.gov.uk