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9 September 2019
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Hats off to Beards
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The public facing parts of the Gloucestershire Archives building in central
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Gloucester have been completely refurbished, marking the end of the project to
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develop the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub.
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Gloucestershire Archives have been joined on site by Gloucestershire Family History
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Society and the Gloucestershire Constabulary Archive volunteers. There is a brand-
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new training suite, The Dunrossil Centre, which will be used for archives and
community training, as well as for hosting public events. There are also 3 new state of
the art strongrooms for housing archive collections.
Beards Construction picked up the building project earlier this year, after the previous
contractors left the site in November 2018 and subsequently went into administration.
Since April, Beards have built a new entrance, created the car park and completed
the new strongrooms, including installing 3 miles of specialist shelving.
Beards’ determination to finish the job on time was put to the test when a blackbird
nested in the porch of the Family History Society’s half-finished office. Contractors
and staff alike had to adjust their plans and work around the blackbird whilst she
raised two broods of fledglings – 8 baby blackbirds in total.
Yesterday Gloucestershire Heritage Hub held a Garden Party to thank Beards, and to
give visitors an opportunity to see the new building, community garden and other
facilities.
Quote from Beards “_ “We’re delighted to have worked with Gloucestershire
Archives on this fantastic project and being part of the team that delivered The
Heritage Hub. I know this facility will be a great asset for people of Gloucestershire
for many years to come”. Says Marc Bayley Director at Beards.
Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for finance and change, said: “I am very grateful
to Beards for bringing this major project to a successful conclusion. The Heritage Hub
is a fantastic resource in gathering, keeping and sharing the documented history of
Gloucestershire and beyond, and we have already had many compliments from
visitors who are thrilled with the new facilities.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Gloucestershire Heritage Hub is a major transformation project funded by
Gloucestershire County Council, the National Heritage Lottery Fund, and many other
funders.
The Heritage Hub can be found at Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester, GL1 3DW.
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Gloucestershire Archives @ The Heritage Hub is open from 9am-4:30pm, Tuesday-
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Friday and on the first Saturday of each month.
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There is a free Memory Café based at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub on the 1st
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Sunday of each month.
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Media op:
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Photo of Beards at celebration Garden Party (on 8 September) can be provided.
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Issued by:
Communications team, Gloucestershire County Council, 01452 427554,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.
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