Memories recaptured through live performances

Childhood memories recorded for library archives are to be brought back to life by youth groups through live performances.

Part of the Roots and Reflections project by Gloucestershire libraries, the memories from people aged 60 and above in the county included growing up and playing on the banks of the River Severn.

The programme, which is in partnership with the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury and Gloucestershire Archives was launched after a £95,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Florrie Taylor, from the Roses Theatre said the stories will now be used to create a "new piece of performance" by local youth groups.

Ms Taylor said young people from around Gloucestershire will work with performance practitioners over a period of weeks.

They will then showcase their work as part of a "live exhibition" at The Roses Theatre, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, on 10 May 2026.

"Being able to marry together the younger generation and older generation in a truly meaningful way, has been really joyful," added Ms Taylor.

For Christina Wheeler, technical facilitator of the whole project, it was all about trying to "capture people's life stories that have a real flavour of a different time".

Ms Wheeler, who has so far documented stories from people in Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Coleford and Stroud, said "each location is like a character in its own right".

Ms Wheeler said in the Forest of Dean, where there is a rich industrial history, she heard "lots of stories about working in the coal mines", Lydney docks and "children playing by the side of the River Severn".

She said one man, who is in his 90s, told her he believed he was the last living person born and bred in Pillowell.

Others told her about working in local factories making gloves, balloons and even veneers.

Anne Rosser-Williams, who lives in Coleford, contributed to the project and said as children, she and her brother would often make their "own fun" by getting "a bowl of water with an apple in" and seeing "who could take the most bites".

She also recalled going to "Ticky Belly Chapel" in Clements End from an early age.

Ms Rosser-Williams said the chapel's nickname was all down to a stubborn mule which was used to carry stones in a trap to the chapel from the village of Drybrook.

She said the mule often refused to walk until someone suggested its owner tickled his belly.

On the project as a whole, Ms Wheeler said while "people feel like their families have heard it all", it was "lovely to have their stories recorded" in the archives where it will be "used in different ways".

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