Forest of Dean Local History Society members met in Coleford Community Centre on Saturday 22nd August for a presentation about an exciting new project the society plans to take forward, working with the Dean Heritage Museum and other interested parties. The Society aims to capture memories and experiences of Forest people of the significant changes that have happened in our area over the past 50 years or so.

Ron Beard, Chairman, warmly welcomed the large number of members who had turned out for this special meeting. John Precious, project co-ordinator, explained that he wanted to understand how the Forest area has developed since the demise of mining and other heavy industries. Mary Sullivan, a recent committee member, then gave a presentation interleaving past and present photos of local sites with ideas about how the project can link the more recent past with the present and produce a living recent history of the Forest. 

There are many areas of potential study of interest to all Foresters, old and new, including:

·     Changes in employment patterns since the last large mine closed in 1965.

·     Changes to travel, shopping and leisure patterns

·      Changes to population and lifestyle including how new people have moved into the Forest and whether this has changed Forest communities. 

Mary asked all Society members to get involved in areas they were most interested in and in whatever ways they felt comfortable. Some might gather friends and neighbours together to talk about their memories, some will collect up old photos of places that have changed or go back to old newspaper cuttings.

Committee members hope to interview and record memories of people who have stories that they would like to be preserved. Eventually, the project should lead to presentations, articles and maybe a book or DVD.

If members or non-members would like to get involved in the project in any way or contribute memories or photos please download, print and complete the enclosed form and return it to:

 John  Precious, 8 Greenways, Lydney, GL15 5HY

or contact John by phone or email:

Phone: 01594 843646            

Email: john.greenways@tiscali.co.uk