An army of volunteers is being sought to help breathe new life into the much-loved Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum on Gloucester's quayside.

New management has revealed huge plans to make changes to the museum including: opening up the previously private top floor of the historic building; putting on family-friendly interactive events; creating a 'War Room' for people to discover the background to current wars, and extending the opening hours.

Soldiers of Gloucestershire currently has 12 volunteers, including those with important military background. Now up to 70 people are being sought from all walks of life with the aim of making the museum a place for the community.

New manager Matthew Holden took over at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire this month. It's the 16th museum he has worked in, having previously worked at the Ashmolean in Oxford and London's Imperial War Museum and his latest being Weston Museum.

Matthew is excited about the plans for the museum and Gloucester and said: "We had 140 wonderful volunteers in Weston Museum. You don't necessarily have to be into history or the subject matter, it's just a great chance to meet new people, gain skills and experience and support the local community."

The new volunteers will have the chance to be involved in the upcoming plans. The opening of the impressive top floor of the former Gloucester Custom House will include some fascinating new exhibits along with a new 6m by 4m replica model of the Battle of Imjin River donated by a Gloucester local. The War Room will include the background to the current Ukrainian and Russian conflict.

Matthew added: 'We want to expand on what we just see on the news headlines so we'll have maps and people will be able to trace the history of the region. It's a sensitive subject but history is on the national curriculum and, despite being controversial at times, history exists as a reminder not to make the same mistakes.'

Other interactive plans for families include having an outdoor petting zoo during May half-term and to have inflatables and war re-enactors from around the country.

Matthew said: 'It's a great honour to be a custodian of this museum and I want more people to come and enjoy it. Gloucester Quays is stunning, especially on a sunny day, and with the Food Dock  opening this will be a bustling area. I love Gloucester and, as a newcomer, I see lots of potential for growth. It's an exciting time to be part of new developments here.'

Find out more about the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum here: https://soldiersofglos.com/ 

For more information or if you would like to apply for a volunteer position at the museum, please email Matthew.holden@sogm.co.uk