Tewkesbury Monument Review

(Publication forthcoming)

Introducing the Tewkesbury Monument Review

The Tewkesbury Monument Review is a collaborative, community-rooted project that brings together academics, archaeologists, archivists, historians, and local policymakers to explore and reflect on the town’s commemorative heritage. Using a thoughtful and inclusive approach known as “retain and explain,” this forthcoming publication aims to review and contextualise heritage assets, such as plaques and portraits, particularly those with links to British Black history and wider colonial narratives.

The project has been inspired and supported by Andrew Armstrong, Gloucester City Council Archaeologist and Editor of the Gloucester City Monuments Review, whose work has been a valuable foundation for this initiative.

As part of the review, we are proud to be working in close partnership with the Tewkesbury Historical Society and the University of Gloucestershire’s Cotswold Centre for History and Heritage (CC4HH). Together, we are developing a comprehensive and accessible record of Tewkesbury’s public monuments and commemorative markers.

University of Gloucestershire students, under the guidance of Dr Christian O’Connell, have played a key role in this process. Through guided group research projects, they have contributed fresh perspectives and historical depth to the review. Their work forms part of our broader collaboration through Tewkesbury Voices: Retain and Explain, and you can explore more about their research (here).

A full bibliography is provided at the end of the review to support further exploration and academic reference.

While the Monument Review offers detailed narratives and historical context, we fully recognise that this is an evolving project. New information continues to emerge, and we welcome future research that builds on these foundations. We anticipate that this publication may require revisions or expanded editions over time, and we hope it will serve as a valuable resource for historians, researchers, educators, and anyone interested in Tewkesbury’s rich and multifaceted heritage.