Share this page
We are delighted to share the successful launch at Gloucestershire Heritage Hub of the heartfelt initiative that has brought together the rich culinary and cultural history of Gloucester’s senior community –Tastes of Memory Reminiscence Recipe Project. Kindly supported by Arts Council England, Voices Gloucester and Blue-Sky Designs, this project celebrates cherished family stories, treasured recipes, and the inter-generational connections that make our community so special.

About the Project

The initiative gathered recipes and memories from Gloucester’s senior residents through engaging workshops held at our libraries, care homes, Gloucester Academy, and The Redwell Centre. These sessions not only captured beloved recipes but also sparked conversations about family traditions, passed-down cooking methods, and the importance of food in our lives.

Artist Tom Cross played an instrumental role in bringing these stories to life with his beautiful sketches, visually capturing the memories shared by participants. His work has created a lasting record of the community’s culinary history, enriching the project with a personal and artistic touch.

To make this project accessible to all, we launched an online campaign, encouraging residents to share their recipes through our social media and library website. Additionally, we provided an opportunity for people to submit their recipes in person at library venues, ensuring that no one was left out due to location or technological barriers.

We were excited to receive contributions from a range of local figures and organisations, including:

-Tom Kerridge, local celebrity chef

-Wiggly Charity

-Gloucestershire Archive

A unique feature of the project is the preservation of handwritten recipes, capturing the personal touch in each participant’s handwriting. These recipes provide a tangible connection to the past. 

This Tea is good but it isn't beautiful sketch, by artist Tom Cross
This Tea is good but it isn't beautiful sketch, by artist Tom Cross
Artist Tom Cross capturing stories and recipes in his sketches
Artist Tom Cross capturing stories and recipes in his sketches
Artist, Tom Cross sketching illustrations inspired by recipes and stories
Artist, Tom Cross sketching illustrations inspired by recipes and stories
A memory of the milk man sketch by artist Tom Cross
A memory of the milk man
Sally Williams, Development Officer for Ageing with Creativity with artist Tom Cross at the Heritage Hub
Sally Williams, Development Officer for Ageing with Creativity with artist Tom Cross at the Heritage Hub
A drawing by one of our young contributors about his Nan's recipe
Nan's recipe drawing by a young contributer
Attendees at the recipe book launch, with artist Tom Cross
Attendees at the recipe book launch, with artist Tom Cross

Take the Stories Home

The booklets will be available to purchase (£1 of all sales being donated to The Alzheimer Society with every other penny going back into library projects and activities) and materials created at the workshops will be on display in libraries from 14 April 2025. 

A downloadable PDF version (below) is also available with a suggested minimum donation of £3.00. To purchase, visit our Make a Donation to the Library page, and choose other to pay for the Tastes of Memory PDF. All support received will help us deliver library activities that bring people together, celebrate creativity, and foster a sense of connection.

I am fascinated by the contents emphasising my memories of 'make do and mend' and 'using things up' as I grew up. My mum would have loved the idea of her bread pudding recipe being recorded for posterity!
Chris Phillips

Feedback

- The Brambles: “All of the feedback was positive, and the book will be invaluable for keeping recipes alive. The conversations started have continued since with more discussions around food.”

- Gloucester Academy: “I was pleased to see how the students were engaged and offered interesting comments to Tom. It’s gratifying to see students enjoying different activities and becoming so immersed in the task.”

- Attendee at the launch: "Wow! What an absolutely brilliant book that is so much more than a 'recipe book'. Some lovely stories, beautiful memories and inspiring recipes. It made me remember my own family recipes (hand written by my grandparents. I plan to make 'Nan's Plum Doff this weekend."

- Attendee at the launch: "Lovely idea - food evokes memories that are so powerful... of eating together, making together and spending time together."