Author Alice Jolly will be among the speakers at a community event inviting residents to share their memories of the Heavens Valley later this month.
The Heavens Histories event will take place at the Trinity Rooms on Sunday, January 25, from 4pm to 7pm. It forms part of the community engagement programme led by the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society (CBS), which is gathering local views on the future use of the 102-acre beauty spot purchased by the community in 2024.
The Heavens features prominently in Jolly’s best-selling historical novel Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile, and she will speak about the landscape’s significance and inspiration.
Other speakers include archaeologist Neil Baker, who regularly leads guided walks through the valley, highlighting its long history — from Roman times, through its role in the textile industry, to evidence of human habitation as recently as the 1930s.
Alice Jolly said: “The Heavens lives up to its name – it is a source of inspiration and comfort to so many in Stroud. Knowing and celebrating the history of our local area helps us to identify how to move forward. Thanks for organising this fascinating event.”
Emma Kernahan, community engagement coordinator for the Heavens Valley CBS, said the event would also help capture local stories for future generations.
“The Heavens Histories event is a chance for local people to share their memories of walking and playing in the Heavens – and to have their stories recorded for our oral history project, if they’d like to contribute,” she said. “We’ll also be asking for their thoughts on the ongoing management of the land in the years ahead.”
