A SEARCH is on to trace the family of a former Forest of Dean colliery owner whose store of valuable documents were left for research at the Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley.

Letters and notes extending over 75 years are being carefully examined by museum volunteer Peter Bennett. His research is unearthing the life and times of pit owner George Oldland.

The documents date between 1824 and 1900 and refer among others to Hopewell Engine Colliery and Bicslade.

Mr Bennett says that the more he digs the more he discovers about George Oldland.

He said: "He appears to have owned Hopewell Engine Colliery and possibly a number of other mines in the Forest including Bicslade. He owned these collieries and let them out to people and appears to have spent much of his time chasing money he was owed by his tenants.

"But it is the detail that comes out in between these formal business transactions that is really fascinating."

The documents were handed over to the Heritage Centre in 1987 under a procedure known as "permanent loan."

However, says collections officer Nicola Wynn, such arrangements are no longer accepted practice. The Centre now wants to contact the donor to ask if the letters can be loaned more formally or taken permanently into the collection.

But there's a snag.

"We know that the items were loaned by a Rev T.O. Hoyle, of Washford Gardens in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. We believe he may be George Oldland's grandson," explained Nicola.

But investigations have so far failed to find Rev Hoyle or if he has any relatives in the Forest who may be able to help.

Nicola asks: "Can Review readers help to trace the Rev Hoyle or his family?"

•Anyone who can help can contact the Heritage Centre on 01594 822170 or email [email protected]">[email protected]