A UNIQUE Forest of Dean twist on the stories of immigration and emigration to and from Gloucestershire has been revealed to county historians at a meeting in Cheltenham.

The theme of this year’s annual Gloucestershire Local History Society open day was a challenge to society’s county-wide to explore the comings and goings in their areas over the past two or three hundred years.

In a series of depressions when work became scarce and poverty began to bite, waves of Forest of Dean folk left west Gloucestershire to seek their fortunes in other parts of the country and overseas. Many went to Australia and America.

But there was a unique affiliation established between the Forest and New Zealand – and it was all thanks to Lydney’s first Lord Bledisloe who was Governor General of the “land of the long white cloud.”

The link between the Forest and New Zealand still continues today and formed the basis of the display organised by the Forest of Dean Local History Society’s vice-chairman, Mary Sullivan, and the treasurer, Cecile Hunt.

While most members missed the Cheltenham event there will be an opportunity for local people to see the display and hear an account of how the Trust still works today when the society meets at the Memorial Hall in Drybrook on Saturay (3pm).

The chief speaker will be Daniel Howell who will tell the story of his role as deputy gaveller and explain how it has changed over the period from 1838 until the present day.

Afterwards the Forest of Dean’s New Zealand link will be explored.

The society is now one of the biggest in the west of England and holds a year-round programme of activities for the 300 members. Visitors are welcome.