Forest of Dean Local History Society

Forest of Dean Local History Society is a regional historical society focused on the study, preservation, and dissemination of the local history of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The society acts as a hub connecting researchers, archivists, and community historians across towns and villages such as Coleford, Cinderford, Lydney, and Newnham-on-Severn. It collaborates with county institutions and national bodies to conserve records related to mining, forestry, transport, and social life in the former Royal Forest of Dean.

History

Founded during the late 20th century in response to growing interest in vernacular heritage and industrial archaeology, the society emerged alongside organisations like the Council for British Archaeology and the Victorian Society. Early founders included local antiquarians and former miners inspired by regional studies published by scholars at the University of Bristol and University of Gloucestershire. The society documented sites linked to the Dean Forest Riots era, mapped remains of the Severn Tunnel approaches, and recorded oral histories from participants in events such as the Great Depression-era labour movements. Over decades it fostered partnerships with the Gloucestershire Archives, the National Trust, and the Forestry Commission to protect landmarks including limekilns, tramways, and chapel precincts associated with the Methodist movement.

Activities and Publications

The society publishes a regular journal and occasional monographs covering topics from coal mining to ecclesiastical architecture, echoing the formats of periodicals like the Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society. Its publications feature studies of transport infrastructures such as the Severn Bridge precursor routes, analyses of demographic change linked to the Industrial Revolution, and transcriptions of parish registers for churches like St John the Baptist Church, Newland. Members contribute articles on figures connected to the region, including industrialists, clergy, and artists who worked in places associated with William Cobbett or John M. Clayton. The society’s newsletter disseminates meeting reports, book reviews, and bibliographies referencing collections at the British Library and the Imperial War Museum.

Projects and Research

Long-term projects include mapping historic miners’ cottages, cataloguing records of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 impact locally, and surveying heritage assets such as ironworks and charcoal platforms associated with the Roman-British exploitation of local resources. Collaborative research has documented tramroad networks tied to engineers influenced by the work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and John Rennie the Elder. The society has undertaken archaeological watching-briefs alongside teams from the Archaeological Data Service and supported conservation assessments for sites listed with Historic England. Oral-history initiatives record testimonies from veterans of forestry and mining sectors with links to organisations like the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain and local branches of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Membership and Organization

Membership spans amateur historians, professional researchers, archivists from the Gloucestershire County Council, and volunteers connected to museums such as the Dean Heritage Centre and the Lydney Harbour Museum. The society is governed by an elected committee with designated officers mirroring structures found in other societies like the Royal Historical Society and maintains charitable links with regional trusts. It holds its archives in collaboration with repositories including the Gloucestershire Archives and contributes copies of its publications to the Bodleian Library and county record offices. Members often present at conferences hosted by the British Association for Local History and participate in national audit schemes run by Arts Council England.

Events and Outreach

Regular programme offerings include lectures, guided walks, and study days focused on topics such as medieval forest law, industrial archaeology, and vernacular architecture found in villages like Staunton and Ruardean. The society organises field visits to sites connected with wider networks, including the Great Western Railway routes and the industrial hinterland of the River Severn. It runs educational workshops for schools in partnership with institutions such as Dene Magna School and promotes community archaeology projects with volunteers from the Voluntary Service Overseas-style local initiatives. Outreach extends to digital exhibitions and digitisation projects compatible with portals like the History of Parliament Online and regional heritage directories, ensuring that collections relating to events such as the Enclosure Acts and wartime requisitioning are accessible to scholars and the public.

Category:Organisations based in Gloucestershire Category:History of the Forest of Dean