An Archivist remembers….

I started working at Gloucestershire Record Office (as it then was) on 31st July 1989, so it seemed tidy to retire on 31st July 2026, especially as it’s a Friday! I began and end my career in the Collections Management team, but spent most of my years either as an Archivist in the Searchroom, or attached to that team. Over these 37 years I’ve worked with some wonderful colleagues, many fantastically dedicated volunteers who have seen so many valuable projects through to completion, and several local groups and organisations. I’ve had the chance to acquire many new skills and interests, including how to use maps to investigate features in the landscape, and how to conduct successful reminiscence recordings. We won’t mention copyright!

You haven’t seen the last of me. Although I don’t plan on volunteering myself, I hope to return as a researcher later in the year. And it seems appropriate to nominate my favourite document held in the Archives. As many colleagues know all too well, that would be D1099/P2, the 17th Century post-enclosure map of Homestallend, part of the Manor of Todenham, which is attractively coloured, has nice added features, and unusually shows buildings in 3D, rather than the usual block plan.

As one of my aims now is to learn at least rudimentary Japanese, I hope this isn’t Sayonara! Best wishes everyone!

Paul Evans