TWO Forest historians are set to be honoured at a London awards dinner after winning national recognition for their work.

Ron Beard of Coalway and Cherry Lewis of Lydbrook will be among the winners at a gathering of historians on Saturday, June 3 – Local History Day.

Born in Ruspidge and from a mining family, Mr Beard worked at Luton College as a geography lecturer until retiring and returning to the Forest in 1997, where he became involved in the Forest Local History Society (FLHS).

His award from the British Association for Local History is for ‘Personal Achievement in Local History’ and is described by a spokesman as “clearly well-justified.”

His achievements have included the development of the Sites and Monuments database; producing the Laura Morse Scrapbook listing the names of local men killed in the Great War; publishing Photos for a New Century, part of the Gloucestershire 2000 Photographic Archive project; and assisting with the ‘Roll of Honour’, listing mining and quarrying fatalities.

In 2013, he wrote the content for a special edition of The New Regard featuring his home town, Cinderford, and more recently has been working with the Coal Authority on an archive to mark mine capping activity.

Geology expert Dr Lewis is to receive the association’s ‘Long Article’ award for her research into the role played by early 19th century Forest industrialist and ironmaster David Mushet, who produced a map charting the geology of the Dean.

Mushet, a Scot who lived at Tump House in Coleford and who is buried in Staunton churchyard, built a coke fired iron furnace at Dark Hill and perfected the production of superior iron.

His map proved remarkably accurate and was later described as “the map that changed the world”.

Dr Lewis discovered it - 11 feet long and hand-coloured - for sale in a West Country auction, and immediately realised its importance both locally and nationally.

FLHS chairman Simon Moore said the awards were a justified acknowledgement of the high regard in which the society is held.

He added: “The great efforts made by our members to research, record and share the heritage of the Forest of Dean helps to elevate the importance of the Forest in British history, and this is of benefit not only to us but to the local economy as a whole.”