FORMER colliery worker George Hogg took centre stage at the unveiling of a plaque to mark for all-time the location of a famous Forest of Dean coal pit closed down more than 70 years ago.

Mr Hogg, aged 90, is one of only a handful of surviving men who worked at New Fancy Colliery, near Parkend where he was a blacksmith.

Braving a constant downpour, he turned up unexpectedly at Saturday’s unveiling ceremony organised by the Forest of Dean Local History Society.

Baroness Jan Royall, the society’s president, carried out the dedication of a plaque fixed to a stone set above the Fancy’s number two shaft. The shaft has been capped and made safe by the Coal Authority.

Coal was first won at New Fancy in 1852 and the colliery continued to operate until 1944. Over the years, thousands of men were employed and 15 lost their lives.

The names of those killed were read out by Baroness Royall who paid tribute to the men employed in the Forest coalfield and particularly welcomed Mr Hogg to the dedication.

On behalf of the society, Keith Walker — a prime mover in organising the occasion — outlined the history of mining at New Fancy which is now a Forestry Commission amenity site and home to the Geomap and Miners’ Memorial.

Chairman Simon Moore welcomed guests and explained that until the plaque was fixed there was nothing at New Fancy to tell the story of its mining heritage.

The society has produced a New Fancy site guide, available on their website.

Mr Walker said it was planned to interview Mr Hogg to obtain a firsthand account of his working life.

Parkend Band, formed from the New Fancy colliery band, played before and after the dedication and included a performance of Parkend March, a piece written especially for them but not performed for over half a century.

They accompanied the singing of the miners’ hymns How Great Thou Art and All People That On Earth Do Dwell.

•The society’s next meeting is at St Briavels Assembly Rooms this Friday evening when Jim Chapman will explore the history of the perry pear, including the famous Blakeney red which grows prolifically round the Forest. The talk begins at 7.30pm and guests are welcome.