TOP national awards for studies into local history have been made to two members of the Forest of Dean Local History Society (FLHS) at a prestigious dinner in London.

Former chairman Ron Beard from Coalway received the prestigious British Association for Local History Personal Achievement Award, while Lydbrook’s Dr Cherry Lewis was presented with the David Hay Memorial Award for the best of all articles published in more than 100 history journals nationwide.

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 FLHS.

He has worked to help the Forest society into the electronic age by producing the Miners’ Memorial CD, and the Laura Morse Scrapbook CD which lists many of the local men killed in action in the First World War.

Mr Beard has also produced the Photos of a New Century CD highlighting local buildings of historic importance and assisted with the ‘Roll of Honour’, listing mining and quarrying fatalities.

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

Bristol University geology expert Dr Lewis received the association’s ‘Long Article’ award for her research into the role played by early 19th century Forest industrialist and ironmaster David Mushet, and his “map that changed the world” 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.

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

She has continued her research with the recent publication of The Enlightened Mr Parkinson, telling the story of the life and work of James Parkinson after whom Parkinson’s disease is named.

FLHS chairman Simon Moore said the awards were well deserved and further examples of the high regard in which the society was held.

“I like to think that over the course of a year we produce a little something to interest everyone, and with membership now at more than 300, I’m sure we must be doing something right,” he said.