Gloucester Made

For a thousand years the City of Gloucester has been a centre for industry and commerce. 'Gloucester Made' is about the working City, past and present.

The story of Gloucester industries and the items they made

Gloucester's ancient position as county town, market centre and national crossroads make it an important regional centre for business. Good communication by road, river, canals and railways has made the City attractive for manufacturing. Raw materials such as wood, charcoal, iron and coal were available from the Forest of Dean and South Wales. Wool and cloth came from the Cotswolds and Stroud Valleys. Finished goods could be dispatched down river for transport overseas. The medieval arms of the City bear horseshoe nails showing the importance of iron working. Later the City had important bell founding and pin making industries. In the 20^th Century the City made matches, railway carriages and aircraft. Today the emphasis is on commerce and high technology.