New history festival celebrates local culture

The festival aims to celebrate the local community and history of the town

A town has launched its very own history festival to celebrate the local culture and creativity within the community.

The Cirencester History Festival is set to take place from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November.

Its varied programme includes talks, crafting workshops, cookery classes, storytelling and Halloween dress up parties.

“A history festival for the capital of the Cotswolds feels long overdue," said Billy Cobbett, Chair of Cirencester Community Development Trust (CCDT).

The committee responsible for launching the history festival

The idea for the event was sparked through conversations between the Gloucester History Festival and the Corinium Museum.

It was then boosted by the enthusiastic response of The Cirencester Culture, Heritage and Tourism group (CHaT), as part of the CCDT.

"Several factors work in its favour," Mr Cobbett said.

"A charming and compact town centre, historical significance, a well-run and supportive town council and an extremely active voluntary sector."

The festival is designed to "celebrate history" and to "showcase the vibrant cultural organisations" within the town.

Mr Cobbett said that as a registered charity, CCDT has agreed to manage and report on all funds raised for the festival.

Dr Ramirez says honouring history is essential to embracing our future

Gloucester History Festival President, Dr Janina Ramirez, is scheduled to speak at the opening weekend of the new Cirencester History Festival this autumn.

She said: “It was always our ambition at Gloucester History Festival to grow and spread what we have learned - that bringing pride in our city's culture and history can promote unity and renewal - to other parts of the region.

"By partnering with Cirencester History Festival together we can bring about an even greater platform to encourage a love of the past and a forum for exploring the issues that affect us in the present and on into the future.

"We cannot move forward until we learn where we have come from. That's what makes history the mother subject," she added.

Key venues include the Church of St John Baptist, The Barn Theatre, the Corinium Museum, The Library, New Brewery Arts and the Royal Agricultural University.