FOREST OF DEAN FREEMINERS.

" IN THE SHADOW OF THE HILLS "
A film made in 1986 about the mines and Freeminers of
the Forest of Dean. To be a Freeminer it is essential that you
are born in the Hundred of St. Brevells, that you are male,
that you are aged 21 or over and that you have worked in
a mine for a year and a day. You may then go to the Deputy
Gaveller, who is the Crown's mining official for the region
and you may apply to be registered as a Freeminer.

[@MikeWellington-x9y]

Bloody good to see this! I was born in the Forest (Littledean) My dad was Vic Wellington who worked in the Northern Colliery. I left for Australia after national service but departed for Australia in the earl sixties, But I still have a piece in my heart for Cinderford and the Forest ever since, Cheers!

[@MikeWellington-x9y]

Wonderful singers! I'm commenting from Australia - but I still have fond memories from the Forest of Dean. Bloody wonderful place in my opinion.

[@Emmaliz-bz1lv]

I love cinderford, has a great history. Used to visit every year at Easter as a child to visit family friends. To this day I still go lots of memories. Still a lovely community.

[@user-cl5ib8xp1m]

What a lovely little film, I enjoyed it very much

[@anthonydavies5248]

This was on a recorded tape at my parents house all the time growing up, followed by songs of praise from the forest of Dean. Watched it many times as a child. Brings back allot of memories, thanks :)

[@pidster767]

I cannot believe that not many comments from forester's! I'm 48 and my mum was born in the dilke and my grandad was born and lived at No1 fair play cottages until he died .. godbless Harold Waite

[@AndersMcTee]

I’m sure that’s old Porky Morris. Used to have a pub out near the Pludds. I could be wrong as I’m going back 30 years and moved away long ago

[@foresterjikes9054]

Waw some of the faces on there is how i remember them , seem's like just a few years ago

[@jamesdaldry4734]

Real men

[@ritajames695]

Must have been awful for a youngster let alone an older man

[@jeramiahvanfisten2975]

No - they enjoyed their lives and community. I was the first generation in my family to go to college - grandad worked in the northern united lit for 55 years. His hands😅
Covered in the blue scars of the mine.