South Gloucestershire Second World War Stories project

We are delighted to have been awarded funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund for our South Gloucestershire Second World War Stories project. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project aims to explore the impact of the Second World War in South Gloucestershire, both during and in the post-war years.

Since April 2018, we have delivered 60 reminiscence sessions, been researching and developing a touring exhibition, researching the names of the fallen on the Counties war memorials, starting to create short films on people’s war experiences and developing a schools programme. We are very busy, but it is a fantastic project which we are very much enjoying.

Please come and see our new touring exhibition which focuses on the impact of the Second World War on the lives of the people of South Gloucestershire. The themes of the exhibition include ‘At Home’, ‘Civil Defence’, ‘Under Attack’, ‘Changing places’ and ‘Front line’. The exhibition features many quotes from local residents who lived in the area during this time.

Dog fight over Filton, 25th Sept 1940. Imperial War Museum© (CH 1823)

Tour dates, venues and community events

4 - 16 February - Staple Hill Library. Community events - 16 February 10 - 12.30pm

18 February - 2 March - Filton Library. Community events - 28 February 10.30 - 12.30pm

4 - 16 March - Thornbury Library. Community events - 14 March 2 - 4pm

18 - 30 March - Patchway Library. Community events - 19 March 4 - 6pm

1 - 13 April - Bradley Stoke Library. Community events - 11 April 11 - 2.30pm

15 - 27 April - Kingswood Library. Community events - 24 April 2 - 4.30pm

29 April - 11 May - Yate Library. Community events - 3 May 11 - 4pm (TBC)

13 - 25 May - Winterbourne Library. Community events - 24 May 11 - 4pm (TBC)

27 May - 8 June - Cadbury Heath Library. Community events - 31 May 11 - 4pm (TBC)

10 - 22 June - Downend Library. Community events - 22 June 10 - 12.30pm (TBC)

24 June - 6 July - Emerson green Library. Community events - 28 June 11 - 4pm (TBC)

8 - 21 July - Yate Leisure Centre.

22 July - 4 August - Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Kingswood. Community events 25 July and 3 August 10 - 4.30pm (TBC)

2 - 15 September - Avon Valley Railway

16 - 28 September - Hanham Library. Community events 28 September 10.30 - 12.30pm

The community events are designed to enhance the exhibition. Please come along to the events and share your, or your families, stories of life in South Gloucestershire during the Second World War. Bring along your photographs and we can scan them to add to the ‘Know Your Place’ website.

We want to share your stories about what it was like to grow up, live and work in South Gloucestershire during or in the aftermath of the war.

If you feel you can contribute in any way, such as putting us in contact with individuals whose story you think we should capture, please contact ww2stories@southglos.gov.uk

War memorial information: southglos.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums-and-galleries/war-memorial-sites/