Gloucester invited to get on board with six-month celebration of city’s history and culture

Gloucester City council is proposing to stage a city-wide bicentenary cultural and heritage programme to celebrate the anniversary and is asking for local partners to get involved.

Taking place in 2027, it will be inspired by Gloucester’s maritime history and how its port connects the city with the wider world, building on the Tall Ships Festival to create a more ambitious six-month long programme.

It will take inspiration from other major festivals such as the six-month cultural programme that was part of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and will see events and activities take place across the city.

Working with key partners including the Canal & River Trust, Gloucester Culture Trust, the university, cathedral and Gloucester BID, it’s intended to include performances, community events, public art, guided walks, sports-based activity at the docks and collaborations with leading artists.

The council and the Canal & River Trust are both currently applying for funding to stage the anniversary celebration and it is hoped it will raise Gloucester’s profile as a destination nationally.

Councillor Caroline Courtney, cabinet member for Culture and Leisure at Gloucester City Council, said: “We’re very excited about this proposal which will hopefully see the whole city come together to celebrate our history and also attract visitors from throughout the UK. But for this to be the exciting and ambitious celebration we know it can be, it needs to be a city-wide event so we’re asking groups, organisations or individuals who would like to help make it happen, to get in touch. This anniversary should truly reflect the people of Gloucester and create a lasting legacy for the city and for future events.”

Anyone would like to get involved should email city.events@gloucester.gov.uk