Voices @ Gloucester History Festival

SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER

A Children’s War: Gloucester in the Second World War 

Blackfriers Priory – Ladybellegate St, Gloucester GL1 2HN

The event will be open from 11 am until 5 pm, with talks at 13:15 pm & 15:15 pm, hosted by David Morgan.

Visit the Scriptorium at Gloucester History Festival on Saturday, 12th September to see an exciting new Voices Gloucester Project. A Children’s War brings together the memories of those who lived through the war with fascinating collections held at the Gloucestershire Archives. The exhibition will also feature interpretive illustrations by Dr Ed Barrett, who will draw together Gloucester’s fascinating and varied history. 

At 13.15 and 15.15, local historian David Morgan will talk about the stories the team have uncovered, and share more detail about how your memories could contribute

From 11am – 5pm  we will have ‘listening stations’ manned by volunteers. Come and share with us your own memories or family stories about your experiences during the war – and enjoy a cup of tea and a scone in return

This event is free to attend and walk-ins are possible, however space is limited and booking secures your access to the exhibition.

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SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER

Gloucester Heritage Walking Trail

The walk will start at 11 am in the Scriptorium, hosted by Janina Ramirez and special guests.

As featured in the festival brochure (pg 36), the partnership between Voices Gloucester, Gloucestershire Archives and the Heritage Forum has produced a new map of Gloucester, with a selection of walks around this fascinating historical city.  How better to start your Sunday than with a guided walk around the City with one of the nation’s favourite historians?. 

The walk should take around an hour. 

Please wear sensible shoes and bring water.

The walk is free, but booking secures your priority place. 

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Morelands Match Factory – Memories Project

3:15 pm, hosted by Paul James.

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Morelands Match Factory.  Morelands was a major employer in Gloucester, and their ‘England’s Glory’ matchbox logo is an iconic image for the city. There are still quite a lot of people who worked at Morelands who are alive and living in and around the city, but as time passes, that number diminishes. Paul James and Mhairi Ball are working to capture stories and memories, as well as fundraising to enable the iconic sign to be lit once again.

For this talk, local historian Paul James will be joined by Robert Moreland (son of the company’s last managing director, Sam Moreland).

This event is free to attend, and walk-ins are possible; however, space is limited, and booking secures your place.

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Tankers on the Severn

Sunday 13th September, 5.15 pm 

From 1922 to 1985, a variety of boats handled petroleum products on the river and canal between Sharpness and Gloucester. In the late 1950’ and early 1960’s, one of the work options for people leaving school in Gloucester and the county was to join the tanker crews. 

This talk by Tony Conder will share memories from some of the remaining tanker crews and provide a preview of the exhibition and archives being created for the Docks’ 200th anniversary in 2027.

This event is free to attend, and walk-ins are possible; however, space is limited, and booking secures your access to the exhibition. 

BOOK NOW