We’re celebrating an important anniversary this week. Our current building, originally designed as the Kingsholm Council Schools, was formally opened by the mayor of Gloucester 90 years ago, on 11 October 1926.
The red-brick, single storey building is a significant feature of the local landscape in Kingsholm. And the original layout is still recognisable despite many changes over the years so it brings back memories of old friends and shared experiences when former pupils visit the Archives.
Image of the present-day front of the building.
As well as these very personal memories we’re lucky to have a variety of written material with details of the original building work and then the school’s working life. It was the first school built by the City Council after World War 1 and its completion represented a triumph over what the mayor described as ‘extraordinary difficulties’. These included the sudden death of the architect and shortages of both manpower and materials in the economic depression following the end of the war. The first pupils appreciated its innovative, modern design and state-of-the-art facilities including central heating and hot water on tap. Amenities we take for granted today but which few of the pupils would have enjoyed at home in the 1920s.
Image of the opening ceremony on the front steps from the Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic, 16 October 1926
After the school closed in 1973, Gloucestershire County Council bought the site and adapted the building to house the County Record Office. The move across Gloucester from Shire Hall took place in 1979 and we’ve been here ever since!
We want to celebrate our building’s 90th anniversary so we’re holding a free ‘drop-in’ event in Roots Community Café in Alvin Street on Tuesday 22 November between 10:30am and 3:00pm. There’ll be a small display about the history of the school and also the county’s archives service which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. So it is a double celebration for us. If you (or a member of your family) were a pupil at the school or attended social events there, we’d love to hear your memories so please contact us.
Gloucestershire Archives 