About

As part of a citywide weekend of free walks, talks, tours and music, The Folk is hosting a programme of fascinating speakers throughout the weekend. As always, our historic building is open and free to look around and our cafe will be serving delicious home-cooked lunches, snacks and hot and cold drinks. Our schedule is as follows:

FREE GUIDED TOURS: Friday and Saturday at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Duration: 45 mins. Advance booking required – maximum 10 people per tour.

TALKS (in the Ed Shed – advance booking required)

FRIDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER

12pm: The Dominican Black Friars – John Jones will give a brief introduction to a few of these characters. One of these is undoubtedly St Dominic. He was a kind and thoughtful man who valued learning and set the tone for the Dominican order. His view was: "It is impossible for men to preach what they do not understand."

1:30pm: Game-Makers to the Empire – Malcolm Watkins will be rediscovering the story and products of the Gloucester games and toy company which was described as the largest in Britain between the Wars.

3:00pm: This is your life – LV14 SULA Lightship – In Gloucester Docks is SULA, a former Hull Conservancy Board Lightvessel and a Registered National Historic Ship. Captain Colin Brooks shares her history and why and what she is doing here in Gloucester.

4:30pm: The Gloucester and Berkeley Canal in WW2 – Gloucester and Sharpness, the canal and river played their own part in WW2. This is the story of the national events which they were part of and the local events which just happened. This talk is part of a linked series of events by Heritage Harbours across the country telling stories of ports during the Second World War.

SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER

1:30pm: Gloucester's Ancient Water Supplies – From springs and wells to piped water, Paul Drinkwater tells the story of how Gloucester's water supplies have developed from the springs and wells in the times of the Romans, Monks and Friars to today's piped water system providing water in every home.

3pm: Gloucestershire Mariners – Tony Conder looks at the history of the county's marine industries from ports to shipbuilding.

SUNDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER

10:30am: Rails Around Gloucester – Tony Conder takes a trip from the mainlines to the branches into the docks and Gloucester's industry looking at the routes and the trains that served them.

12pm: The Tailor of Gloucester – Beatrix Potter was inspired to write the Tailor of Gloucester story by what she saw and heard during her visits to the City. Join City Tour Guide, Julie Brooks, to hear The Tale of Beatrix and Gloucester.

1:30pm: Invictus at 150 – Made famous by Nelson Mandela, W.E. Henley's poem "Invictus" celebrates its 150th Anniversary this year. In a talk interspersed with readings, find out from Debbie Vass about this Gloucester poet and writer and his links with other literary figures.