Digging Into the Past to Shape a Greener Future

How local archives reveal landscape change—and highlight the impact of grassroots efforts to support nature

Women looking at documents

Volunteers planting a hedge

A moth gently resting on a hand

Gloucestershire Heritage Hub; volunteers planting a hedge; learning about moths

As a volunteer with Wotton Area Climate and Nature Network (Wotton Area CAN), I recently attended a talk by Marion Hill about the wealth of information available at Gloucestershire Heritage Hub—home to millions of historical documents held by Gloucester Archives, Gloucester Family History Society and Gloucester Police Archives.

Inspired by the talk, and particularly the ‘Green Pledge Project’ (I highly recommend the podcasts made by Christina Wheeler), I set out to explore how the natural environment local to me had changed over the last 150 years—and whether efforts to restore it are making a difference. Nature in the UK has suffered widespread degradation during that time, but in recent decades there has been growing awareness and action aimed at reversing the trend. One of the aims of Wotton Area CAN is to help retain biodiversity and increase habitat, both existing and new. We hope this contributes to slowing and reversing nature loss locally.

From Memory to Evidence

I’d heard residents who’ve lived here most of their lives talk about “cowslips so abundant that we could pick them, roll them up and pretend they were footballs,” and “wild orchids that grew in huge numbers on the verges up Rushmire Hill.” Those vivid memories sparked my curiosity: what do the archives reveal about changes beyond living memory? And could this research reaffirm that local efforts like ours truly matter?

Planting cowslips

Cowslip flowers

Pyramidal orchid

Volunteers plant cowslips in an effort to increase nectar sources and improve biodiversity

Into the Archives

Knowing I wanted to use the Gloucestershire Archives at the Heritage Hub, I began by searching the online Archive Catalogue. It helped me identify a few intriguing records, including a personal diary and an album of photographs from 1995–2001. With an estimated 8-10 million documents to explore, I had to start somewhere!

To access the physical items, I applied for an Archive and Records Association (ARA) card. This involved filling out a short form online, booking a visit (this needs to be booked at least three days in advance), and bringing two forms of ID. The process was smooth, and I arrived ready for my visit—juggling it around work meetings, of course.

Public transport gets you a mere 8-minute walk from the Hub, but if you choose to drive, parking on-site is easy (and only £4 for the day). The Hub itself was well-equipped, with free Wi-Fi and quiet tables perfect for hot-desking. I stored my belongings in a locker and entered the reading room, which was filled with people immersed in their own research. The staff had everything I’d reserved ready for me.

Gloucestershire Heritage Hub

Receiving an ARA card at the Hub

Millions of documents are housed at the hub

Attending Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, including 'behind the scenes' in the document stores

Uncovering the Past

I started with the 1908 diary of Mary Blathwayt, a 12-year-old girl who lived near Bath. Her daily life—travelling by horse and carriage, greeting visitors at the train station, and writing letters—was a far cry from that of my own daughter today. Her carbon footprint from transport alone would have been minimal. It made me think: with the reopening of Charfield station and the creation of the Greenway (a safe cycling and walking route connecting Wotton, Kingswood and Charfield), perhaps we’re beginning to shift back toward more sustainable travel locally.

Preparing to open the 1908 diary

Mary Blathwayt's 1908 diary pages

The 1908 diary of Mary Blathwayt

I also examined a photo album documenting Wotton-under-Edge and the surrounding villages in the late 1990s. One image that stood out showed my local churchyard (St. Mary’s) with greenery cut back tightly around gravestones and walls—leaving little space for wildlife. In contrast, a recent walk through the churchyard revealed a transformed landscape: wildflowers, pollinator-friendly plants, and winding paths through billowing cow parsley. I’ve spotted bats and owls there at dusk on warmer evenings. St. Mary’s, like many churches, has embraced the 'Eco Church' approach, and has been turning green spaces into thriving wildlife habitats. They've no doubt also been inspired by the likes of renowned woodland ecologist and conservation pioneer George Peterken, who talks about grassland and churchyard ecology in Green Pledge Podcast - Episode 8.

A photograph album showing St. Mary's churchyard, Wotton-under-Edge

A Past That Informs the Future

Yes, nature has suffered here—as it has across the UK—but the evidence I found reminded me that change is possible. Local projects really do make a difference, and we’re not alone in our efforts.

If you have an idea for a project or would like to join others working to champion nature and climate-positive change, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at wottonareacan@gmail.com.

Thinking of Visiting the Gloucestershire Archives?

• Location: The Heritage Hub, Alvin Street, Gloucester

• Open to all (free entry, booking required)

• Start online: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives

• Collections include maps, diaries, land records, school logs, photos, and more

• Need help? Archivists are happy to guide you