History Talks and Concerts

A brand new series of interesting and entertaining talks by leading authorities and authors on the history of Gloucester, plus a finale concert. Tickets for all talks include a glass of wine (sponsored by Laithwaites) and book signings with the authors afterwards (where applicable), and are available online or from the Guildhall in Eastgate Street (map ref D3) and the Tourist Information Centre (map ref C3). Adult ‘season tickets’ are also available for all six talks, priced at £39.For tickets click here|.

The Hidden History of Blackfriars

Sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
Monday 5 September, Blackfriars Priory (map ref C4),
7pm, tickets £8 adults, £4 students and school children
Widely known local historian and author Phil Moss will give new insights into the story of the most complete surviving Dominican priory in Britain, just restored to its full glory by English Heritage. This illustrated talk will bring alive this too little known Gloucestershire jewel, its life before and after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, whether as residence, cap factory or school. For tickets click here.|

Glevum and Corinium: Gloucestershire in Roman Times

Sponsored by Glevum Security
Tuesday 6 September, Blackfriars Priory (map ref C4)
7pm, tickets £8 adults, £4 students and school children
Former Corinium Museum Director Dr John Paddock explains the extraordinary legacy of the Romans across the county and especially in Gloucester and Cirencester. John Paddock is a noted Roman historian whose restoration of the Corinium Museum won second prize in a European competition. For tickets click here.|

The First History of Gloucestershire Revisited

Sponsored by EG Carter and Co
Wednesday 7 September, Blackfriars Priory (map ref C4),
7pm, tickets £8 adults, £4 students and school children
Sir Robert Atkyns produced the first History of Gloucestershire in 1712. Three hundred years on former Deputy Head of Sir Thomas Rich School and local historian Alan Pilbeam has revisited Atkyns’ work in a book shortly to be published and will preview his surprising findings with an illustrated talk on how the county has - and hasn’t - changed over the centuries. For tickets click here.|

The Continuing Relevance of Robert Raikes - 200 Years On

Sponsored by Gloucester Civic Trust
Thursday 8 September, St Mary de Crypt Church (map ref C4),
7pm, tickets £5 adults, FREE entry for students and school children
On the bi-centenary of death of Robert Raikes, the founder of the Sunday school movement, Hugh Wornsip will capture the spirit of Raikes in the church where he is buried, and opposite Raikes’ home. Hugh, former Citizen chief reporter, will look at the lives of both father and son Robert Raikes and explore their themes of education for the young and the reform of our prisons, with a suggestion that they remain as valid today as they were then. A tour of the church will follow. For tickets click here.|

Richard of Gloucester, the Battles of Tewkesbury and Bosworth and the Fall of the House of York

Sponsored by the Norville Opticians Group
Friday 9 September, Blackfriars Priory (map ref C4),
7pm, tickets £8 adults, £4 students and school children
National historian and Bristol University lecturer Chris Skidmore tackles the two key battles of the Wars of the Roses and whether Richard of Gloucester learnt lessons from Tewkesbury at Bosworth, offering a preview of some of the themes of his about to be published book on Bosworth. Chris Skidmore is the biographer of both Edward VI and Elizabeth I and MP for Kingswood. For tickets click here.|

100 Years After the Lords Act: What Now for Constitutional Change?

Sponsored by Davies and Partners
Saturday 10 September, Blackfriars Priory (map ref C4),
5pm, tickets £8 adults, £4 students and school children
Constitutional historian and author Peter Hennessy looks at constitutional change in the centenary year of the House of Lords Act that changed the balance of power in Parliament for ever. He will look at AV, a new draft Bill on the House of Lords, changes to the Laws of Succession and our relationship with Europe: Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield is the Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary, University of London and author of many books including the definitive work on Whitehall. For tickets click here.|

Glevum Consort: Tomas Luis Da Victoria 400th Anniversary Concert

Sponsored by Gloucester Music Society
Second Vespers of the Feast of the Annunciation
Saturday 10 September Blackfriars Priory (map ref C4),
7.30pm, all seats £10
The Glevum Consort is a Gloucester based professional chamber choir founded and directed by James Atherton. This will be the first music concert in the excellent acoustic of the newly refurbished Blackfriars and a rare first chance to hear music of this kind here since the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. A fitting finale to the week! For tickets click here.|