The winter lecture series mainly takes place at the Dunrossil Room, at the Heritage Hub, Gloucestershire Archives, Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester GL1 3DW at 7.30pm. The December and January lectures are provided online by Zoom. [Map]
We also have a Summer programme.
Download List of Winter Lectures
Tuesday 29 September 2026 – Dunrossil Room, Heritage Hub – 7.30pm
Stroud Gas Works Tramway
Mike Smith has previously spoken to GSIA on Railway subjects and in this talk Mike will explain the history of the Stroud Gas Works Tramway which connected from the Dudbridge to Stroud branch of the Nailsworth Midland Railway line
Tuesday 27 October 2026 – Dunrossil Room, Heritage Hub – 7.30pm
400th Anniversary of Vermuyden Draining Isle of Axholme Lincolnshire
The Isle of Axholme, a unique region in Lincolnshire, was once a vast, watery expanse. This talk delves into the fascinating history of drainage engineering in the region. We’ll explore how, particularly during the 17th century under the guidance of Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden, significant strides were made to drain the marshland. The legacy of Vermuyden and subsequent engineering giants like Smeaton and Rennie will be examined, highlighting their innovative approaches to further develop and refine the drainage system.
Saturday 21 November 2026 – Dunrossil Room, Heritage Hub 2pm
AGM and Members short presentations
The AGM will include 3 member talks about current research projects
Tuesday 29 December 2026 – By Zoom – 7.30pm
Ferro-Concrete Vessels built at Hempsted
Ferro-concrete ships were developed during World War I as an emergency solution to critical steel shortages for shipbuilding. One of the companies to produce these vessels was based at Hempsted and in this talk Paul Barnett will discuss the company and the six ships known to have been produced in Gloucester
Tuesday 26 January 2027 – By Zoom – 7.30pm
Ten Transport Pioneers Who Changed the World
Stroud based historian Anthony Burton talks about his latest book which explores ten defining moments in the history of transport, spanning five centuries – from the age of sailing ships to the dawn of the modern jetliner. Its cast of innovators range from Cornish mining pioneer Richard Trevithick to the French nobleman Marquis Jouffroy d’Abbans and also Sir Frank Whittle, who each played a part in reshaping how we travel.
Tuesday 23 February 2027 – Dunrossil Room, Heritage Hub – 7.30pm
The history of chocolate in the UK and locally
A short history of how chocolate arrived in the UK, a brief history of the Cadbury company and details of Cadbury’s Frampton factory once. Different choclate samples will be available to try.
Tuesday 23 March 2027 – Dunrossil Room, Heritage Hub – 7.30pm
The Magic of Glass, from Developing Concorde, Big Jets to Flat Screen TV
The illustrated talk covers Bobs time as a Project Manager on Concorde and includes a 7 minute video crossing the Atlantic as seen from the Pilots seat Then successfull mplementation of the Technolgy on Boeing aircraft and ultimately Flat Screen TV development.
Tuesday 27 April 2027 – Dunrossil Room, Heritage Hub – 7.30pm
Stone Quarries in the Stroud Area
Arthur Price, a farmer and building stone archaeologist is a leading authority on the history of Cotswold stone mines and quarries and will talk about the industry in the Stroud Valleys
We also have a Summer Programme