Odd facts about the Forest

Local Customs still exercised

There are a few "Foresters rights"and privileges that are still in existence,"sheep-badgers" are allowed to graze their sheep freely within the forest, and pig keepers are allowed to graze their animals in the forest during the autumn, to allow them to feed on the acorns {Pannage of pigs and commoning of sheep}.

"Any male person born and abiding in the Hundred of St.Briavels, aged 21 or over, and having worked for a year and a day in a coal or iron-mine within the hundred of St.Briavels, may apply for registration as a Free Miner.

Every qualified Free Miner has the exclusive right to claim from the Crown a 'Gale', or place to mine, for profit iron ore and coal within the Hundred of St.Briavels or stone within the forest perambulation."

Celebrities born in the Forest of Dean

Dennis Potter: author, playwright and son of a Forest Miner; famous for plays such as "the Singing Detective", "Pennies from Heaven", "Karaoke" and " Black Eyes"

Sir Jimmy Young: one time singer and currently still a Radio 2 presenter

Edna Healey: wife of former politician Dennis Healey and herself an author in her own right.

Winifred Foley: author of the famous forest trilogy: "A Child in the Forest", "Back to the Forest" and "No Pipe Dreams for Father"

William & James Horlick: co-founders of the malted milk drink still popular today

Robert Forester Mushet: who perfected Bessemer's steel-making process here in the Forest of Dean.

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© Forest of Dean Tour Guides 2002-2006