Mill Voices: An Oral History of Women’s Work in Cam

In a special exhibition at Kingshill House this month, you can find out more about one of Cam and Dursley’s most important industries through the words of the women who worked in Cam Mills at the end of the twentieth century.

Over the past year GL11 Community Hub’s oral history project has been meeting former workers from the textile mill to record their experiences of work, juggling the demands of home and factory life, and what the job meant to them. They talked about the friends they made, their pride in their work, and feeling like they belonged in a community.

Now we’re pleased to share their stories in an immersive exhibition as part of the national Heritage Open Days festival. Mill Voices: An Oral History of Women’s Work in Cam will also feature never-before-exhibited historic photography, and artistic responses produced during workshops with 130 members of the local community. You’ll have your own opportunity to join in too, as free drop-in workshops taking place on 13 and 14 September between 10am and 2pm will allow you to try your hand at historic textile crafts.

Mill Voices: An Oral History of Women’s Work in Cam is at Kingshill House in Dursley from 13 to 21 September and open from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Entry is free and there is no need to pre-book. The exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.