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Gloucester’s wonderful history is so worth celebrating and the Gloucester History Festival is one of its gems. Join us to bring to life the past of this great city.Griff Rhys Jones, Founder Patron of Gloucester History Festival

Gloucester has a rich history and is one of the top ten historic cities in the country. It has played an important role in national history from its roots as a Roman fort and later colonia, through the medieval period and beyond. The History Festival wants to ensure more people enjoy, appreciate and are inspired by Gloucester’s heritage.

The History Festival is a wonderful coalition of individuals and organisations, many of whom are volunteers, who come together to produce a series of events that when woven together under the banner of the History Festival produce a rich celebration of local, national and international heritage.

The History Festival Fortnight comprises:Gloucester Day – a wonderful community event led by the Town Crier, Alan Myatt, celebrating the end of the Siege of Gloucester in 1643. A day steeped in tradition, fun and quirky activities unique to Gloucester

City Voices – our community outreach programme which includes talks, workshops, family activities, theatre and music events run by local experts and community groups across the City

Heritage Open Days – an unmissable opportunity to explore hidden Gloucester. Four days of guided walks and tours of many buildings normally closed to the public, alongside talks, family events and music

Blackfriars Talks – leading historians and speakers come to entertain and engage audiences in the stunning surroundings of the 13th century Dominican Priory, Blackfriars

City Exhibitions – held in various venues throughout the Festival

Anita Rani Alan Myatt

Our City Voices programme is in its Infancy. In 2017 we began to offer a broad programme of events for all ages across a range of cultures. We programmed 62 events, a massive increase on the 20 in 2016 and used a range of venues across the City from Alney Island to Gloucester Cathedral. We attracted audiences of more than 3829 people which was great both for us and for the groups taking part in City Voices.

Events ranged from a History of Smell event to our first ever Family Day with free workshops on calligraphy and medieval surgery. We have ambitious plans for City Voices and are aiming to work further with community groups to develop a sense of pride in the range and depth of heritage and culture that exists in the City.

Blackfriars TalksTaking place in the stunning setting of the 13th century Priory, Blackfriars, leading historians and commentators of the day come to present the very latest research and thinking on local, national and international history topics. The presenters are as inspiring as the place itself. This year we plan to have a marquee with a community stage and range of workshops as well as additional food and drink area to create a real Festival feel.

Some previous festival speakers

Dan Snow Ian Mortimer David Olusoga

Tony Robinson

Alison Weir

The FutureGloucester History Festival is run by a charitable trust. Ticket income alone does not cover the cost of putting on the Festival. We rely on the support of individuals and companies to enable us to programme not only a wide ranging, amazing Festival each year but also to work with communities in Gloucester, improving access to culture and developing pride in all our City has achieved. We need your help to support the future of the Festival.

Founder PatronWe are launching a Founder Patron Scheme to support the Festival in its infancy. A maximum of 20 people will be able to join this group. Each year the Founder Patrons’ support will be credited at one Blackfriars talk and all names will be listed prior to the event on a back stage screen slide. In addition you will receive the following:

• Priority booking – opportunity to book and pay for your tickets before they go on sale to the public

• Reserved seating when requested by you prior to the event

• Access to the Green Room prior to events

• Thanks in the Festival brochure as a Founder Patron of the Festival

• Invitation to special events

• Invitation to VIP Festival Party

Donation: £500 annually

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Please print your name as you would like it to appear on any publicity, or leave blank if you wish to remain anonymous.

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Patron details

Yes, I am a UK taxpayer and would like Gloucester History Festival (registered charity no. 1176776) to treat all donations I have made over the past four years and all donations I make in the future as Gift Aid donations. I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations, it is my responsibility to pay any difference. Your donations are eligible for the scheme if you pay enough income tax and/or capital gains tax to cover the amount of tax that all charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs you donate to will reclaim for each tax year (6 April to 5 April). Council tax and VAT do not count. In order to claim Gift Aid we need you to fill in the fields above. Your details will be treated as confidential and will not be shared.

Please notify the Gloucester History Festival Manager if you: • Want to cancel this declaration • No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

If you are a UK taxpayer, the value of your gift can be increased by 25% under the Gift Aid scheme at no extra cost to you.

Signed ................................................................................................. Date .......................

How to become a Founder Patron:

Fill in the form and send back to:

Gloucester History Festival History Festival Manager Gloucester Guildhall 23 Eastgate Street Gloucester, GL1 1NS

Email: Mhairi.smith@gloucester.gov.uk Telephone: 01452 396314

Registered Charity Number: 1176776

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