In this blog post we want to welcome two new faces here at Gloucestershire Archives. We were recently joined by Archivist Briony and Apprentice Archives Assistant Ethan, they have both written a short piece to introduce themselves, read more below.
My name is Briony Penfold, and I have recently joined Gloucestershire Archives as a Community Cataloguing Archivist. This is my first professional role as an archivist after completing the Master of Archives and Records Management course at the University of Liverpool in September 2023. My role is part of the customer services team, so my time is split between cataloguing new records that come to the archive, managing the Reading Room and the reception desk, and answering enquiries.
I grew up in Manchester but moved with my family to Melbourne, Australia while I was still in high school. I lived there for 7 years before returning to the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. I became interested in working as an archivist when I was studying history for my undergraduate degree. For one module I got the opportunity to volunteer in the archive of the Australian Shakespeare Company, helping to catalogue and organise all sorts of documents from advertising materials to scripts to costumes. This was exciting as I had never been to an archive before. Seeing the different ways that objects were preserved and understanding the importance of keeping records and materials for the future, so people can understand events and decisions, really inspired me to pursue a career as an archivist. My interest continued after I moved back to the UK, and I worked in an archive in Chester for a year before going to Liverpool.
I am really enjoying working at the Gloucestershire Archives, getting to know customers, and finding all sorts of interesting records in the collection. I have recently accessioned papers relating to a 19th century housing development in Barnwood and copies of photographs of Old Cheltenham Post Office.
I have also been working on reviewing the already catalogued Wade collection to make sure it is properly protected and accessible. The collection includes papers relating to Charles Wade, his family, and Snowshill Manor. It is fascinating to go through the different documents and learn about his life and career, as well as understanding how best to maximise use of the collection. Due to Wade collecting international artifacts, the collection is of global importance. Thus, making sure the documents are taken care of, and can support research, is vitally important.
In my spare time I enjoy playing badminton. I used to play competitively but now play recreationally. I also enjoy films and used to be in a film club at university. I really liked critiquing films and working with the rest of the group to make short films, of varying quality. I am also a fan of boardgames and play regularly with my family and friends. I have been appreciating the opportunity to get to know Gloucester and the surrounding area and I am looking forward to exploring the countryside in the Cotswolds and the Wye Valley, as well as visiting historic towns and villages.
Hello there! My name is Ethan Langfield and I’ve recently become the new Apprentice Archives Assistant with Gloucestershire Archives. I thought writing this blog would be a good opportunity to introduce myself to the Archives and tell you a little about me and my background.
I graduated from the University of Exeter in 2019 with a degree in Human Geography, and before coming to the archives, I worked in several customer-based roles, including the University of South Wales where I worked as part of the library service up until January. I’ve always longed for the opportunity to work in an archive such as this, so my new role is literally a dream come true! Despite an early struggle in my childhood dealing with and understanding my Asperges Syndrome, I’ve always been certain that it never stops me from achieving in life and try to realise that my differences are a positive thing that makes me who I am, rather than being merely an obstacle in my life.
I’ve have always had a huge fascination in our heritage and the past, especially from a young age. From about the age of 12 I was collecting and repairing all manner of vintage technology, with a particular fascination for obsolete media. Whether it was collecting 8mm projectors, learning to make recordings on reel-to-reel tape, repairing and using old GPO Bakelite phones, it all fascinated me, and I subsequently built up a small collection of these and more! I find huge solace in fixing things and keeping our past alive and well to last even further into the future. This has recently culminated in buying and restoring my own Sinclair C5 from 1985! It took over a year to strip down and full rebuild and repaint the C5, but it was worth it. Needlessly to say it certainly gets me plenty of attention whenever I’m out and about in it, and it’s amazing how many people want to stop and chat about it. I also volunteer at Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway, both as a passenger Guard, and as the Signalling and Telegraph lead, where I am overseeing the creation of a heritage semaphore signalling system for the railway. I’ve been volunteering at railways for 10 years now, and it’s a truly amazing pastime to have!
I’m looking forward to meeting more of you as I settle into the Archives! Be sure to keep a lookout for me in the Green Team too! As part of my apprenticeship, I’m attached to the Green Pledge team where I’ll be designing and producing research guides and toolkits to understand and utilise the research we create. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to use my knowledges of the environment and challenges presented to humanity through climate change to use in a positive way, which could see a significant change in helping the people of Gloucestershire, and South Gloucestershire become more eco conscience and sustainable with their everyday life practices.
Written by Briony Penfold (Community Cataloguing Archivist) and Ethan Langfield (Apprentice Archives Assistant)
Gloucestershire Archives 
A really interesting read. Welcome to you both.
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