It's September! Here in Gloucester we are welcoming the autumnal season with a month full of incredible events!
The Gloucester History Festival returns with a range of fantastic talks. A new exhibition will be on display at Gloucester Cathedral and the Heritage Open Days will allow you to see parts of the city that aren't always open to the public. Find out more below!
Gloucester History Festival
07 - 22 September
This month join over 100 of Britain's top historians and broadcasters in 200 events spanning the ancient city. The two week Festival starts with the unique tradition of Gloucester Day and features Heritage Open Days throwing stunning historical buildings open to all.Award-winning historians William Dalrymple and David Olusoga, legendary explorer Ranulph Fiennes, Radio 4 broadcasters Jonathan Dimbleby and Natalie Haynes, military expert Max Hastings, Countdown wordsmith Susie Dent, Horrible Histories guru Greg Jenner, bestselling novelists Philippa Gregory and Kate Mosse, Sherlock actor Mark Gatiss and Gloucester’s own Michelin-starred cook and BBC 1 star Tom Kerridge are just some of the world-class speakers who will be sharing their love of history in Gloucester.
Threads: Belonging and Unbelonging
06 - 30 September
A series of newly commissioned quilts, led by Gloucestershire-based textile artist and curator Jo Teague, will form part of a trailblazing new exhibition, 'Belonging and Unbelonging' at Gloucester Cathedral. The quilts, created by local quilt makers and international artists, will explore themes of migration, displacement, neurodiversity, cultural histories, and the ways in which the people of Gloucester have influenced the wider world. The project aims to offer visitors a profound and reflective experience. The exhibition is free to attend during Cathedral opening hours.
Threads: Beating Back The Past
06 - 30 September
Gloucester Cathedral will be hosting a new exhibition 'Beating back the past,' curated by Voices Gloucester. The highlight will be the world's oldest surviving music manuscript from the voices of enslaved people on the sugar plantations of Barbados, usually housed in the Gloucester Archives. Accompanying this significant artefact are new works by Gloucester-based artist Rider Shafique, of Bajan heritage, and British-Jamaican photographer Vanley Burke, both inspired by the historical slave song. Their displayed art will delve into the impact of the transatlantic slave trade from their perspectives as descendants of Caribbean enslaved people. The exhibition is free to attend during Cathedral opening hours.
K&M Below Deck
07 September
Authentic, captivating, storyteller of the seas, Kathleen & May, connecting people through time. Walk the decks and enjoy her storyboards, step below into the cargo hold, sit around the Captain's table, bringing heritage to life through storytelling and curiosity.
Orchard St Food & Market
07 - 08 September
Located at the stunning Gloucester Quays, the market offers a great mix of delicious, locally sourced food and drink, artisan arts and crafts, jewellery, homeware, plants and seasonal goods, plus amazing street food and bars. Come along, enjoy great food and drink, soak up the atmosphere of market day and meet the friendly, dedicated, and enthusiastic producers.
Gloucester Heritage Days
13 - 15 September
Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s fantastic historic architecture and culture by offeringfreeaccess to properties which are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on three days in September, there’s a chance to discover architectural treasures and enjoyfreeaccess to a wide range of events and activities which bring local history and culture to life.
Gloucester’s events, organised by Gloucester Civic Trust, feature over 120 events, from the opportunity to see inside the Eastgate Chamber to viewing the inside one of the best examples of a Tudor Merchant’s house in the country.The city is among the top three venues in the country with its huge range of activities during Heritage Open Days with guided tours, music, and cultural activities in the City Centre, at Gloucester Docks and in the city’s suburbs.
A Season of Silent Film: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) &Nosferatu
14 September, 28 September
Gloucester Cathedral's Season of Silent Film continues The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) on the 14 September and Nosferatu (1922) on the 28 September!
Enjoy these silent classics within the magnificent surroundings of the Nave, all accompanied by enchanting live organ music from the Cathedral's Assistant Director of Music Jonathan Hope.
To see a full list of what's on this month, click here!
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