The project, called For the Record, will improve the way the documented heritage of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire is gathered, kept and shared.

Development funding of £123,300 has been awarded to help Gloucestershire Archives progress their plans to apply for the full grant next year.

The project will enable archives staff, volunteers, partners and community groups to work together to preserve the ongoing story of how we live in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire. A new public space called the Heritage Hub will be planned where people can come to view, and share, local archives.

Working in partnership with Gloucestershire Family History Society, Gloucestershire Constabulary, local history societies, Friends of Gloucestershire Archives, and South Gloucestershire Council, a full programme of community training and lasting volunteering opportunities will be developed.

Additional specialist storage will be developed at the archives site in Alvin Street, Gloucester, including pioneering innovations in digital preservation, to expertly protect and add to local precious treasures. One of the highlights of the development phase will be the Gloucestershire Constabulary community heritage project, which will open up the police archive collections and will pilot community training in archive techniques.

Councillor Ray Theodoulou, Deputy Leader at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We’re delighted that HLF has given us this support. This will enable us to take forward our plans for new strong rooms to house our historic county’s unique and irreplaceable records. We’re also keen to encourage volunteers and community groups to work alongside us to preserve and make accessible Gloucestershire’s archives for future generations.”

Nerys Watts, Head of the HLF, South West, said: “Saving our historic archives is really important as they provide such a valuable resource for anyone wanting to explore their past. Gloucestershire’s archives are bursting with stories and pictures that give us clues about what life was like and how that has shaped the area as we know it today. This initial support is a great first step in opening up these historic records for everyone to enjoy.”

Notes to editors

About Gloucestershire Archives

• Gloucestershire Archives holds over nine miles of archives, which are stored in special strong rooms protected against fire and theft
• The documents date from the 12th-century to the present day, reflecting all aspects of life in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire. They include digital records which need to be preserved in suitable formats for future generations to access
• Based in Alvin Street in Gloucester, the public are welcome to visit (free of charge) to consult documents to learn more about their family, local community, aspects of the First World War and many other subjects
• In 2013/14, 106 volunteers gave over 13,000 hours to support the work of the archives service

Further information
Sarah Williams, Gloucestershire County Council media team, on tel: 01452 426887, or email: sarah.williams@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Laura Bates, HLF press office, on tel: 020 7591 6027, or email: lbates@hlf.org.uk.