Exciting plans for this year's Gloucester History Festival were unveiled last night at a programme and fundraising launch at Roberts Limbrick Architects in Gloucester.

History Festival committee member Donna Renney outlined plans to attract more expert speakers and increase the range and diversity of events at the festival, from 2-17 September.

In an informal gathering, guests were advised about the sponsorship opportunities available at the festival, which attracted nearly 13,000 visitors to its events last year.

Stephen Limbrick, the joint managing director of Roberts Limbrick Architects, described to guests the work carried out to convert the delapidated Carriage Building on Bruton Way into the company's new offices.

Gloucester MP Richard Graham, the chairman of the Gloucester History Festival committee, said the improvements to the building reflected what was happening in the city.

"When we brought our royal architect the Duke of Gloucester to open this modern architects' building (in 2011), that was exactly the same year that we launched the History Festival," said Mr Graham.

"In a way, what was happening to the building and what Roberts Limbrick were doing here was, to me, an absolute symbol of what could, indeed was, beginning to happen in Gloucester.

"I felt that if you could turn a building into something that is sparkling and of full of energy, and combine the best of the old and the best of the new, then it was possible for us to do the same thing with the History Festival.

"The thing about the History Festival is that is involves so many different people and it is a complete partnership of organisations and individuals.

"It is not remotely run by one person or one small group - I don't think it could be. It is about the city and people from outside the city coming together."

He added: "The History Festival is part of what we are and it's about building pride in the city, the county and where we all live and sharing that with lots of people."

For details about sponsorship opportunities at the festival, contact Sarah Rawlings on 07979 066458 or via sarah@sarahrawlings.co.uk.

Picture: Donna Renney at the launch