Discover at your own pace... ‘Eavesdrop on History’ Audio Trails available from St Michael’s Tower and the Tourist Information Centre

Hire the audio trails to discover Gloucester's architectural gems and uncover its rich heritage. Combined with a fascinating audio experience, they recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era!

Memories of a Bygone Gloucester Civic Trust News A Victorian Gloucester Family by Una Dowding Gloucester Civic Trust Ltd Reg. Charity No. 264719 In the last half of the 19th century, Great steamer from Cardiff to Gloucester where Mr Baker, a friend of their father, had seen Registered Charity No. 264719 Grandpa Taylor ran what Gloucester people a horse and cart took them straight to Ette speeding over the cross and stated www.gloucestercivictrust.org.uk may remember as Urch’s restaurant and Southgate Street. his disgust at the sight of a young lady Email [email protected] bakery in Southgate Street opposite Bakers, acting in such an abandoned way. It was the jewellers. Mr Taylor was a master baker, Ette, my Grandmother, seems to have been the only time that Grandpa Taylor became Spring 2012 visiting the Lamprey Inn, in Westgate Street rather ahead of her time, as she aspired to cross with his lively daughter, for she had No. 121 each year to make the pastry crust for the take part in all her brothers’ activities. Sid displayed her ankles in public, though they lamprey pie which was the City’s traditional and Will owned a bicycle, one of the first wereStart shrouded in button boots.your discovery of yearly gift to the ruling sovereign. Whether local ‘modern’ ones. Queen Victoria ever sampled my ancestor’s This did not quench Ette’s spirit for long, as cookery skills, we never knew. At the side of the shop was a narrow alley she was soon roller skating on the boards A Bell Returns to St Michael’s Tower through which deliveries were made to the whichhistoric were fixed over the swimming Gloucester! baths, Four children were born to the Taylors; bakery. This enabled Ette to practise on her near Barton Gates, each winter. It was there William who became manager of the local brothers’ bike, rebounding from wall to wall that she met Eric Keys, a trainee teacher at After a break of nearly 60 years a bell is Bell Foundry which is still in existence to The inscription reads:- branch of Pickfords removal firm, Sidney while she learned to balance and, crucially, the NationalSupported School. by back in St. Michael’s Tower. this day. The bell was re-cast in 1919 but as who directed one of the tax offices in the to stop. The front door being left open one it was deemed a heritage bell the original ‘Through many ages did I rang true, City and who played cricket for Gloucester, day, she was out into Southgate Street They had a long and happy marriage, with On the rather chilly evening of Wednesday, inscription had to be reused. ‘Neath shades of war my voice my grandmother Harriette (who would with no walls to shelter her and her floor Eric ending his teaching career at Linden April 4th THEthe bell from All Saints Church, faint grew, understandably, only answer to Ette) and length skirts inhibiting a safe descent. She Road after becoming Head of what was SUMMERFIELDHigh Wycombe that has been purchased With dawn of peace new hopes arise, the youngest sister who was only ever managed to turn right into Eastgate Street, then ‘Night School’ for apprentices. He CHARITABLEfor us by our business TRUST partner Ecclesiastical My wound is healed through sacrifice.’ referred to as Queenie because of her then right again into what was then Queen is even now remembered as the founder Insurance Group, was delivered to St. imperious manner. Street where another right took her back to of schoolboys’ Rugby, becoming their Michael’s Tower. It is hoped the bell will be Southgate Street. By this time, the brothers President and sowing the seeds in the hung in the Tower in time for the Queen’s The bell will be rung on special occasions The Masonic Hall, with its entrance off had found that their bicycle was missing young for what has become the successful Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June. such as Gloucester Day, Heritage Open Westgate Street, was behind Taylor’s and had rushed into the street to see if they ‘Glawsters’. Days and of course, Market Days. bakery, so to facilitate any cooked food could spot the thief. Mr Bill Berry, an expert on bells, particularly being delivered hot to the Hall, a connecting Ette returned to the baths for many years Gloucester bells, oversaw the delivery. corridor was built over the narrow To their horror, they saw their hoydenish as swimming teacher for all the school girls. Bill’s father removed the original peel of intervening street. Years later, in 1936, sister, long skirts flying, pedalling like fury. She also returned to school in her 60’s, for bells from St. Michael’s Church in 1956 and Ette’s husband Eric would preside there as “I can’t stop”, she shouted. “Catch me next she was my local, true, living history lessons in the 1970s Bill himself removed the last Worshipful Master of the Zetland Lodge. time round,” which they managed to do, for my classes when I started teaching in bells from the country’s only Bell Museum although doubled up with laughter. Gloucester. when it was housed in the Tower. Queenie married a man from Cardiff, but found visiting her parents quite convenient, Sid and Will were either amused or loyal Una Dowding is a Civic Trust member. Bill will be installing the bell and says he is as she and her children travelled by paddle enough to keep the incident a secret, but really pleased to be returning a bell to St. Michael’s Tower.

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel once had a ring of 10 bells, one of which Armchair Tours of was called the Curfew Bell. This bell also rang out on Market Days and was later Historic Gloucester called the Market Bell. ➧ Bill Berry oversees the unloading of the bell. ➧ The bell on display in the Tower. The bell from All Saints Church was first cast in 1711 by Master Bell Maker, Richard Tours of Gloucester’s historic gems, “So, John and Mike taught Phillips. He was based at the Whitechapel Flag Pole especially aimed at those with mobility themselves all the necessary problems, started on 19th April. IT skills to come up with a 55 minute power point presentation Erected Gloucester Civic Trust members, John of Gloucester’s history. It took hundreds of Larking and Mike Fox, have devised the man hours to put together. free tours, which mean the audience never ➧ John Larking begins his April Armchair Tour Postponed from Sunday 29th April, have to leave their comfortable chairs at St. “Last year 150 disabled people took with an introduction to St. Mary de Lode because of strong winds and heavy Michael’s Tower on the Cross. advantage of the service and we are Church. rain, the flag pole, which is also part repeating the exercise each month between of the Tower Bell Project, was finally Using the latest technology, including a April and September in 2012. Depending are available at the Tower which has full positioned in place on the top of St. video camera mounted on top of the Tower, on demand we can do more. disabled access and toilet facilities”. Michael’s Tower just after 8.00am on which can pan and tilt to focus on many of the morning of Wednesday, 2nd May. the city’s historic locations, John and Mike “John has also put together a series of five This year’s Armchair Tours continue on June tell of the buildings and the stories of the minute films about Gloucester’s history, 21st, July 26th, August 16th and September The flag of St. Michael is now flying on personalities that go with them. including the coronation of King Henry 6th. All presentations start at 10.45 am and the Tower and the flag of St. George III, the murder of King Edward II, the admission is free. and the Union Flag will be flown on Marilyn Champion, the Trust’s Tower project martyrdom of Bishop Hooper and the life appropriate occasions. leader, said: “Many people phone to say of Robert, Duke of Normandy. These are Press release from Hugh Worsnip which they want to go on one of our daily tours, available every Thursday of the season, appeared in the ‘Citizen’ on Monday 5th The flags have been donated by Trust but the walking is too much for them. when John is on duty. Refreshments March 2012. member Nigel Spry whose mother was christened in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and who married Nigel’s ➧ St. Michael’s flag flies from the top of Information and articles are always appreciated. father there in 1938. the Tower. Please contact Terry Brooks, 44 Wheatway, Abbeydale, Gloucester GL4 5ER ➧ The bell arrives at St. Michael’s Tower. Tel: 01452 411827 or e-mail [email protected].

8 1 Gloucester Rowing NewsNews fromfrom thethe DocksDocks Club Crew for Royal Marketing Gloucester, Pageant and Docks Attractions An eight-man crew from Gloucester Rowing Club will row the Old Balliol in the Thames Hospitality Day - 20th April 2012 Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June. The boat, normally housed at the River & Rowing Museum at Henley-on-Thames, is Marketing Gloucester, Gloucester Quays, invitation and after refreshments and A further Hospitality Day is planned for the a replica of the craft used in the first ever Antique Centre, Waterways Museum, welcoming speeches were escorted autumn. boat race in 1829. (Citizen 3 Mar) Soldiers of Museum, around the attractions by Civic Trust tour English Holiday Cruises and Civic Trust guides. Tour Guides participated in a Hospitality Day in Gloucester Quays and Docks on The day included a 45 minute cruise Dredger returns Friday 20th April 2012. on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in Queen Boadicea II and the morning to Museum The principle behind the day was to give concluded with lunch in the Blue Elephant coach operators, tour companies and restaurant of The Quay (formally Foster’s Following an overhaul in the dry dock, similar organisations an opportunity to on the Docks). steam dredger SND No 4 was welcomed visit The Quays and Docks to see and back to the Waterways Museum on 28 April enjoy the attractions that are available Feedback from the visitors on the day by Chairman of the Friends, Chris Witts for tourists and visitors and to encourage and since has been extremely positive. Victory for originally built for the engineer and directors and the Mayor and Sheriff of Gloucester, them to add Gloucester Quays and the Our guides were praised, not only by of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co, but Councillors Andy Lewis and Pam Tracey. Docks to their itineraries and programmes. the managers of the attractions but Tommi Nielsen she is now privately owned and based in in particular by the visitors for their ➧ Tour Guides ready for their escort duties. Maidenhead. (Citizen 3 Mar 2012) Representatives from over 60 knowledge of the docks area and for T Nielsen & Co of Gloucester has been organisations, some from as far away acting as the link between the attractions Photograph courtesy of Marketing awarded a prestigious contract to work on as and Shropshire, accepted the in such an efficient and professional way. Gloucester. the restoration of HMS Victory at Portsmouth in partnership with BAE Systems and Bell Wye Trow Launched Rigging of London. Tommi Nielsen’s men will be using traditional shipwright skills A replica Wye Trow built by T Nielsen & Co to replace planking and knees etc in the was lifted by crane into the main basin on Interpretation Board forward one third of the hull. 28 March, a mast was installed and later it was rowed around the basin with about twenty of Nielsen’s men on board.

Design Team Chosen The Trow is due to carry the Lord Lieutenant ➧ of Herefordshire in the Thames Diamond Steam dredger SND No4 welcomed back to the Waterways Museum by Chairman of St Michael’s Tower Ecclesiastical Insurance has appointed Jubilee Pageant on 3 June. the Friends Chris Witts and the Mayor and -based Stride Treglown as architects Sheriff of Gloucester. for their new headquarters building on Early history The old churchyard 17th century alterations 19th century rebuilding The Victorian church is demolished This tower, on the south-eastern corner of Glouces- In the mid 14th century, the parishioners bought The interior of the church was very much altered in However, by the mid nineteenth century, these During the second world war the church became what is now the Southgate Street car ter Cross, is all that remains of the ancient church of another plot of land on the south side for a church- the mid seventeenth century when it was opened up alterations were seen as inappropriate, and on the a centre for collecting and sending second-hand St Michael the Archangel. The tower dates from the yard. Up until then parishioners had been paying to to make an auditorium for preaching to a large con- recommendation of the architect F S Waller, all but clothes to families all over Britain that had lost park overlooking the Victoria Dock. 1460s, but there has been a church on this site since be buried in the abbey burial grounds. gregation, this being the great age of long sermons the tower was demolished, and the church was everything in the destruction caused by bombing Stride Treglown have recently designed Stop Gates Put In late Saxon times, one thousand years ago. and popular preachers. rebuilt in the Victorian Gothic style. raids. By the 13th century, three small churches stood on After the war the church was closed because the Gloucester Cross. St Michael’s was the only one that parish had become depopulated. The Victorian part the Merchants Quay apartments and survived until modern times, because it was awarded was eventually demolished in 1956, leaving only the Following record rainfall in April, the River the whole of Eastgate Street, a wealthy trading area, medieval tower, which was saved by a protest led by Sainsbury’s at Monk Meadow. (Citizen 14 as its parish. Alderman Theodore Hannam-Clarke. Feb 2012) Severn at Gloucester rose to the level that required the stop gates at Gloucester Lock to be closed on the 30 April to protect the basin from possible flooding.

Engraving by Thomas Bonnor showing the churchyard in the 18th century. New Minister The present tower is built Money for building a tower came from a bequest by Thomas Baret, a wealthy draper who lived in East- gate Street. The tower was to house the curfew bell, At a special service on Tuesday 21 February, Civil War Salute which was rung at 8pm every night to tell people to put out their fires; a town full of wooden buildings Rev Andy Osmond was licensed by the ➧ The Trow under construction in Tommi was very vulnerable to destruction by fire. It was rung again early in the morning to let people know that Bishop of Tewkesbury as the new minister Nielsen’s shed. fires could be lit once more. Interior of the church before its demolition. Members of the English Civil War Society In order to build the tower, the surrounding tenement A new use for the tower at the Mariners Chapel. Previously a curate shops had to be demolished. They were erected fired a salute on the North Quay on 25 again afterwards and stood until 1777, when they A walkway was created through the tower, which in Cheltenham, Andy has bold initiatives were pulled down in order to widen the road. This became a landmark in the centre of the city and a March in honour of those who died in the left the tower walls in such a mess that the parish- short cut past the Cross. to help grow the church and make it more ioners appointed John Ricketts to make extensive Siege of Gloucester in 1643. They had repairs and his masonry elegantly covers all the It then served for some years as the city’s Tourist accessible to people in the area. He can be bottom stage of the tower, and is usually taken for Information Centre, but has recently been restored previously marched to St. Nicholas Church medieval work. to its former glory by Gloucester Civic Trust and now contacted at [email protected] functions very successfully as a heritage centre and Extract from John Speed’s map of 1610 showing churches at the Cross. headquarters of the trust. Events are often staged to lay a wreath where some of those who in and around the tower, and visitors can see audio- In the 14th century the church was entirely rebuilt, visual displays about the city’s history and heritage. died were buried. and the parishioners bought a plot of land on the east side in order to enlarge it. The church contained chantries (private chapels) patronised by the Weav- ers’ Guild and by a community of wool merchants, cloth merchants and shopkeepers. There was also a large Lady Chapel, with impressive decorated win- Gloucester Steamboat These notes are from Hugh Conway- dows similar in design to some of those in Glouces- Jones monthly e-mail newsletter reporting ter Cathedral (then the Abbey). At this time the church was hidden from the street by for Royal Pageant activities connected with the Gloucester rows of shops built as tenements against its walls. Docks and the Sharpness Canal. To Engraving by Thomas Bonnor showing the church after John Ricketts’ repairs. Looking down Eastgate Street from the Cross, showing the tower and the rebuilt nave, circa 1905. Interior of St Michael’s Tower. Detail of the interior carved stone roof bosses. The steamboat Sabrina, built by local receive a regular copy yourself go to Gloucester Civic Trust St Michael’s Tower sponsored by The Cross with assistance from engineering company Fielding and Platt www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk click on Gloucester GL1 1PA in 1871, will carry the Lord Lieutenant of ➧ The Trow being rowed around the main newsletter and type your e-mail address www.gloucestercivictrust.org.uk Gloucestershire in the Thames Diamond basin by Tommi Nielsen’s men - 28 March into the box. Photographs courtesy of Hugh Jubilee Pageant on 3 June. Sabrina was 2012. Conway-Jones. ➧ The Interpretation board to be erected outside St. Michael’s Tower gives a history of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel.

2 7 Fielding and Platt Project Wins 1972 - 2012 New Members Civic Trust’s 40th Anniversary Heritage Lottery Fund Support We welcome the following new Gloucester's Proud Industrial History Remembered Join In Our Celebrations members to Gloucester Civic Trust:- ➧ Mr and Mrs R Auckland The world famous engineering firm Fielding remember making some pattern that was As most of you will know the Gloucester film taken at the time showing Gloucester ➧ Mr L Bedford and Platt is the focus of a new archives going to be used on ‘HMS Ark Royal’, just Civic Trust was ‘born’ in 1972. Since then above - and below - ground. ➧ Mr J Bell the Trust has led the way in preserving and project run by Gloucestershire Archives one example of the prestigious work done ➧ and Gloucester City Centre Community by the company. promoting the city’s glorious heritage. Inevitably - as at all birthday parties - there Mr and Mrs D Brown Partnership. Thanks to a grant of £42,900 will be refreshments. ➧ Mr P Callaghan from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project The HLF funded project runs for 15 months It has been a remarkable 40 years of ➧ Mr and Mrs I Crowe will record, preserve and celebrate Fielding and is recruiting volunteers to help with a expansion and - in the words of our To encourage as many of our members to and Platt’s history and its impact on the city. range of activities - as well as oral history chairman Robin Morris - the Trust is now come as possible, the Trust’s Council of ➧ Mr D Gamston A key part of the project will be to record the recording, there are opportunities to handle one of the most respected organisations Management has agreed to pay the cost ➧ Mr and Mrs D Hall memories of people who worked for or lived original archives, create a project website operating within the city. of the hire of the Guildhall and the cost ➧ Mr K Hayward near the company, situated at the bottom of and help run events. Training and support is ➧ of entertaining civic guests leaving other Apprentice Stan Nash shown drilling On Saturday, October 27th we will be guests to pay for the refreshments. ➧ Southgate Street where Gloucester Quays provided. The Civic Trust is already helping with sanding machine in the background Mr & Mrs S Howard Shopping Centre is now. to promote greater awareness of Fielding marking this significant milestone with a c1935/36. ➧ M/s C Jordan and Platt’s history through its guided Docks celebration at the Guildhall preceded by a Please put the date in your diary. We have “We are delighted to have the Heritage tours which set off from the Customer service of thanksgiving at St Mary de Crypt much to celebrate. ➧ M/s S Moore Lottery Fund’s support for this project”, says Information Point, Gloucester Quays Church. ➧ Mr and Mrs M Morley More details and an application form for Heather Forbes, head of Gloucestershire every Friday evening at 6.15 pm and ➧ Archives, “there is little trace of where Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30 am The main speaker at the Guildhall will be tickets will appear in the August edition of Mrs M Murphy Fielding and Platt’s large premises used during July and August. Professor Henry Hurst. In the 1970s and 80s this magazine. ➧ Mr and Mrs B Reeks to be and without the memories of former Henry was the doyen of city archaeologists ➧ Mr C Roberts employees and residents of the Quays For further details about the project and did much to throw light on Gloucester’s Please try to be there. area, an important piece of local history will and opportunities to get involved, ‘hidden’ 40past. Fortunately for us he has ➧ Miss S Tolley remain unrecorded and be lost with time”. please contact Julie Courtenay at maintained his links with the city and has ➧ Miss A Trump Gloucestershire Archives either by agreed to speak to us - at absolutely no John Lovell At present, the only such recorded phone on 01452 425297 or email julie. cost to the Trust. It is also hoped to show a Civic Trust Secretary memories concerning the company are [email protected]. those of Stan Nash, once a pattern-maker at Fielding and Platt, collected during the If you or someone you know has memories recent Barton and Tredworth Community of Fielding and Platt then Gloucestershire ➧ A group of Fielding and Platt apprentices Heritage Project, also funded by the HLF Archives would love to hear from you! c1971/72. Planning Appraisal Report (see www.bartonandtredworth.org.uk). Now in his 90s, Stan’s memories give an 18th April 2012 intimate account of what it was like to work for the company in the 1930s and prove Roger Peel Takes Over Role as how valuable an addition to written histories 12/00183/FUL Alterations to the ground and 12/00324/ADV Illuminated signs at 1 Three mature lime trees will have to be such oral testimonies are. first floor window openings at Saintbridge Westgate Street for Royal Bank of Scotland felled, but one appears diseased, and the Tour Guides Booking Secretary House, 189 Painswick Road for Pipin Patel. (Santander). others are not good specimens. Other Stan left school aged 14 to join the firm Acceptable. These windows are in The ads are acceptable, but the scarlet mature trees in the area give coverage as an apprentice pattern-maker at Easter the modern development and not the coloured fascia is far too long and until the proposed planting scheme 1934. Pattern-makers would work to original part of Saintbridge House. dominant, even on this modern building. matures. blueprints to produce the wooden patterns I was rather surprised, but delighted to be as many qualified tour guides as possible, The fascia should be confined to the We would like to see the exterior of used to prepare the brass or iron castings. asked by the T3 tour guides committee to and take into consideration those who 12/00211/COU Change of use of Casino area above the windows. the chapel cleaned as a condition of As an apprentice Stan was paid 7s 6d for take over from Ted Edmunds as Booked are fully occupied with weekday work Royale, 27 Westgate Street, from planning permission. working a 56 hour week: 7.30am to 5pm on Tours Secretary, and so far, a couple of (whether professionally or voluntary) for amusement arcade to hot food takeaway, 12/00302/FUL and 12/00303/FUL. weekdays, as well as Saturday mornings. months into the task, I do not have any weekend tours. After the initial allocation and installation of a ventilation flue for Extension and alterations to the old chapel 12/00348/COU. Change of use of first floor Such apprenticeships lasted for seven regrets. of tour guides I send out a ‘booked tour Martin Slowe Estates. of in Horton Road of 4, Saint Aldate Street to a tattoo parlour years and were highly prized. Initially, form’ with all the necessary details No objection to the change of use but and change of use from office to residential for Christina Rogers. though, Stan was an errand and tea boy, I retired from GCHQ nearly five seven to ten days before the the flue is completely unsatisfactory for Mr M Wynn. Acceptable provided there are strict taking other workers’ billycans down to the years ago after seventeen event. because of its low level and proximity This will be the final phase of the controls on what can be displayed in foundry to boil the water by placing them on years and previously twenty- to the Grade 1 listed . Flue conversion of the listed hospital the first floor windows. This is the last the red-hot castings. There was no canteen six years serving in the For this year’s tour guide should be routed up the chimney to building, which is one of the first four remaining house of the original Saint in those days! Royal Air Force; one of the season, it’s been a hectic time discharge at a much higher level. purpose built psychiatric hospitals in Aldate’s Square. highlights was being on a helping to organise April’s the world, dating back to 1811. Another of the apprentice’s jobs was to visit to Berlin from Warsaw Gloucester Quays Hospitality 12/00271/FUL and 12/00272/ADV. New The panel welcomes the bringing back 12/00370/LBC Demolition of rear extension change the sandpaper on the sanding when the Berlin Wall was Day for tour operators, with shop front and advertisements at Phones into use as a nursing home of Thomas and repairs to 5 Priory Place (Grade 2 machine used for smoothing the woodwork. taken down during the late more than eighty visitors 4U shop at 2 Southgate Street. (former Medland’s Victorian Gothic chapel Listed Building) for Gloucester City Homes. “That was a bit of a job” Stan recalled, “the 1980s. anticipated; June looks to be Hawkshead) (1871), which has been empty since the The panel welcomes the refurbishment sandpaper was glued onto the disc and you Since taking over from Ted, things busy too but with the help of the The illuminated advertisements are hospital works department moved out. of this very prominent building on the had to soak it to get it off”. The sanding appear to have been fairly straight team of loyal and enthusiastic guides satisfactory, but the bright red fascias We would prefer to see the roof of the corner of Greyfriars and Priory Place, machine can be seen in the background of forward, being new to the task I’m keeping no one is being disappointed. The Civic are far too big for this handsome classic extension in slate to match the chapel, which will acquire greater significance as the photo in which Stan is drilling. up to date with the correspondence. Trust are arranging tours for the Austin style building on the Cross. The panel but, failing that, a dull coloured metal the Greyfriars redevelopment continues. Healey Car Club and a coach party from is very concerned about what will go in profile. We want to see all the existing internal After a couple of years, Stan moved onto After sending out an initial e-mail notifying Alton, Hampshire; altogether nearly one the large windows on both the Westgate Though archaeological trial trenches doors, windows, mouldings and fittings a bench and assisted his more senior guides of a proposed tour, I endeavour to hundred guests on the same day will be Street and Southgate Street frontages. have revealed no burials associated retained and repaired. colleagues. “I was pretty good on a lathe” make telephone calls to qualified guides in the city. Already, we have a provisional The panel wants to see strict controls with the hospital, or Roman, Saxon or he remembered, “I used to love wood- not on e-mail to ask for their availability. I booking for May 2013. on what material can be stuck on the medieval remains, we would like to see turning, and I used to get a lot of those jobs think it’s fair to spread the tours around to windows in the premier conservation a watching archaeological brief as the Report from Hugh Worsnip on the lathe, which were smaller jobs. I can area. building proceeds. Panel Member

6 3 Culture Club Discover DeCrypt

Members will have noticed that, finally, to stabilise the Victorian farmhouse and the Culture Club continues into the In 2012 Museum’s Lifelong Learning and Access a huge amount of work is now being medieval lodgings. The entire structure summer with an interesting and varied Officer, took an eighteenth century Sunday undertaken at Llanthony Priory. was cleared of dry rot, which required programme of talks, the details are:- We continue to have the fabulous support of School class in Raikes Chapel. complete removal of the upper floors of Civic Trust volunteers, who staff the church Since taking on responsibility from the City the farmhouse, rewiring and provision Wednesday 6th June and keep it open from April through to Artists of all ages have been involved at Council almost 4 years ago the Trustees of an effective alarm system. New floors ‘The Art of PJ Crook’ Project update October, offering a welcome to visitors and the church. Last summer the Civic Trust’s have worked very hard to identify funding have now been inserted, rooms recreated, providing tours of the church and crypt on a art class used it as a source of inspiration; sources and equally importantly to establish roofs repaired, rainwater drainage renewed Join us as we explore the fascinating This is a short update on Discover DeCrypt, regular basis. The church also hosts civic and, students from five local schools the detailed requirements of the work where necessary and the building is now art of Cheltenham born artist PJ Crook. the project to regenerate St Mary de Crypt services, including the annual Gloucester contributed artwork in an exhibition of their needed on site. stable. Church and Old Crypt Schoolroom on Day service at the beginning of September, interpretations of the Beatitudes. Wednesday 4th July Southgate Street. Working with experts and a Christian Aid service held this year Having raised initial funding from a number The next stage of the operation will be to ‘Fabulous facts about hats’ from across the diocese and beyond, the on Friday 18 May. The church will again In History Week 2011 we celebrated the of grant-giving organisations we quickly apply for major funding grants and carry out Fern Berreen project team have been developing ideas to be a popular attraction in this year’s History 200th anniversary year of the death of decided that the most urgent priority was much more extensive work to the structures bring a new lease of life to these buildings. Festival, hosting a number of events, and, Robert Raikes. Hugh Worsnip, Civic Trust to stabilise both the gatehouse structure to bring them back into use. We also hope Discover more about the history and Our vision is to create the opportunity for the Civic Trust 40th Anniversary service will member, tour guide and former Citizen alongside Hempsted Lane and the upper to be able to undertake work on the area art of hat making with milliner Fern children, young people and families to be on Saturday 27 October - a date for all Chief Reporter gave a well attended talk, stonework on the tithe barn within the known as the stable block which needs a Berreen. After the talk why not pop explore Christian spirituality and heritage your diaries. sponsored by the Civic Trust; and Heritage grounds and to remove the buddleia which considerable amount of investigative work down to the Folk Museum to look at in innovative and creative ways. We Weekend saw the Remember Raikes! had become a destabilising and unsightly and protection. our ‘Fascinating Forties and Hollywood have been consulting with local schools But before that, there will be a Book Launch celebration at the church. problem. This work was completed last Hats!’ exhibition. about our vision, and have begun informal on 25 June 2012, as a key member of the autumn and our attention turned to clearing I’m sure members will agree that, finally, consultation with English Heritage, amenity Discover DeCrypt project team, the Rev’d It must be acknowledged that we are hugely the very-overgrown pond of excessive tree one of the gems of Gloucester’s heritage Culture Club does not meet in August. societies, Gloucester City Council and the Dr Sandra Millar, the diocese’s Children’s indebted to our Advisory Panel for their growth and debris and this has opened up is now receiving the care and attention it Diocesan Advisory Committee about ideas Adviser, has two books published. We are involvement over the past year, and this a view of the priory remains from Hempsted richly deserves. Wednesday 5th September for the buildings. having a celebration in the church at 4pm includes help and support from the Civic Lane. that day with Bishop Michael, when there Trust’s very own Alex Bailey. So, thank you Martyn White Gloucester History Festival Over the past year much work has been will be activities for children and general very much to everyone in the Civic Trust The next phase, once funding had been Trustee of the Priory and Council of celebrates put into developing a business plan, which merriment, as well as book signing - all who continues to support Discover DeCrypt found, was to carry out very extensive works Management Member ‘Gloucester Rugby Club’ with will be used to convince those who need Civic Trust members are invited. - we look forward to working with you as the Councillor Paul James convincing that this is a worthwhile project project continues. and Bob Rumble. to support. We are staging the project, and there is a drive to get the schoolroom back Looking back over 2011 If you would like any further information As part of Gloucester’s History Festival into use as a priority. Ahead of this, essential or would like to go on the mailing list for celebrating the history and heritage repairs have been made to timbers in the There were a number of exciting events Discover DeCrypt’s eNews, please be that has made and continues to make church bell tower, and stonework repairs involving children and young people in in touch by sending an email to: mail@ Gloucester great, two genuine Rugby will follow shortly. All this takes money, and 2011. Over 500 children were welcomed to discoverdecrypt.org.uk. fans will be exploring the history and with the backing of the business plan our Lifepath - boys explored the life of Robert impact of our local and world famous fundraising campaign will launch in ernest Raikes, we turned the crypt into a prison and Report from Rachel Court, Rugby club. After the talk why not pop this year. served gruel, and Sarah Orton, Gloucester Project Manager across to see our ‘Scrum Down, Low Down’ exhibition. Heritage Open Days All the above talks start at 1.10pm and take place at the City Museum, 6th to 9th September 2012 Brunswick Road.

The above information is from Sarah This year’s event is shaping up to be please do so. Gloucester has been in delighted to hear from you and can be Orton Lifelong Learning and Access an exceptional one! Colin Youngson the top five city nationally for the last contacted on 01452 302028 or email Officer with Gloucester City Council has brought considerable energy and few years which has helped greatly to [email protected]. who says: “all are welcome to Culture new ideas to the team, Jenny Williams put the City of Gloucester back where Club and like our other activities is free continues to make a big contribution and it belongs. Alex Bailey, Jenny Williams, after normal admission charges to the we appreciate Phil Moss’s guidance. Colin Youngson and Phil Moss. Museum have been paid. This year is the 200 years anniversary of Colin Youngson, who is co-ordinating Heritage Open Days ➧ Illustration courtesy of Phil Moss shows the restored Priory. the opening of the Lock into Gloucester the volunteers this year would be Co-ordinating Team Admission is £3.00 for adults and Docks and this will be celebrated at the £2.00 for concessions and this ticket same time as the Heritage Open Days allows admission to the other site Weekend with several shared events. within a month. Metre Readings Colin Youngson has been working with The membership scheme is very good the guides to exploit the many specialist Phillip Brown’s Collection of Poems value. Family membership is £20.00 tours that we can produce and we hope a year and covers two adults and up that more people than ever will have the to five concessions while individual opportunity to take a tour this year. We Phillip Brown’s collection of poems ‘Metre There are also poems about the county, membership is £10.00. have new events such as Wotton House, Readings’, first published in book form in ‘The Sculpture Trail’, ‘Steam Teas’ and a grade two listed building which is home 2002, is now available as an e-book. It others. Membership allows unlimited visits to to Redcliffe College and Gloucester includes poems about the city: ‘Gloucester: both Museums for a year, a regular Brewery Tours to name just two. an unreliable history’, ‘The true story of For preview pages see Amazon.co.uk or newsletter about our events and Doctor Foster’ (allegedly), and others. Kindle. The price is £3.18. exhibitions and invites to our private So all we need is your support, if you are ➧ Audience participation outside St. Mary de Crypt Church - Heritage Open Days views”. asked to help or would like to volunteer September 2011. (Photograph courtesy of James Davies)

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