Call for memories of historic Brunel railway station

A history festival is calling for memories of a former railway station, which will be temporarily reopened during the event.

Cirencester History Festival takes place from 25 October to 1 November, offering talks and activities on local and global history.

People will be able to tour the town's Grade-II listed Old Station, which was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and closed in 1965.

The free event on both Saturdays of the festival will celebrate the "golden age of rail," said festival producer Jess Yarrow.

Ms Yarrow said most people know the Old Station as "a slightly sad, empty-looking building" but she hopes some will remember using it, on their commute, or even watching it welcome evacuees and soldiers during World War Two.

"We know that there are lots of people out there who can remember the station in its heyday," said Ms Yarrow.

"We'd love to hear stories, we'd love to see photographs, we'd love to have any memorabilia that people have got tucked away because we'll be dressing the station as if it were a station with prams and benches and cases, so anything like that people have, we'd love to know about it."

Architect Jonathan Rixon is refurbishing the station to use as his offices, and he will lead the tours.

There will also be an audio listening project sharing stories of the station, and Cirencester College students have worked with Mr Rixon to create a virtual reality experience of the station during the Victoria era.

Mr Rixon said: "The building holds many hidden treasures, including a boardroom where Brunel sought a meeting space outside London.

"It's important to protect our industrial heritage. I'm passionate about preserving this piece of history and sharing it with the town."

Cirencester History Festival is returning for its second year, with This Country star Charlie Cooper as its ambassador.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.