HISTORIAN Ian Pope, formerly of Cinderford, has received a national award for his contribution to Forest of Dean history.
He received the award at a ceremony in London at the weekend which was attended by members of the Forest of Dean Local History Society.
The award is presented annually by the British Association for Local History for the person who in their opinion has made outstanding and significant contributions to the subject of local history in their own area.
Mr Pope retired from his position as chairman of the Forest of Dean Local History Society in October 2001. During his time in office he worked tirelessly to encourage and develop the awareness of local history in the Forest.
In addition, in 1995 he took over the editorship of the society's annual journal The New Regard when it was a plain paper publication, and has worked to make it a much sought-after journal with glossy pages and a professional layout. This journal is now sent all over the world to universities and libraries as well as to individuals.
It is partly because of the journal that the membership of the society steadily increased during the years of his chairmanship from 200 to the present total of around 400.
Mr Pope has also brought the society into the computer age by developing and maintaining a successful website (http://www.forestofdeanhistory.co.uk">www.forestofdeanhistory.co.uk). To this he adds links to other sites of interest to society members and all those interested in the history of the Forest of Dean. Recently, Ian has added his own histories of the coalmines to the web for everyone to access.
His work in helping to capture two Lottery bids has meant that the society now has its own computer enabling the production of databases from members, such as a list of mining fatalities and an ongoing collection of Forest of Dean photographs with attached histories.
Along with this, Ian has given several well-researched talks to the society and the local community, sharing his passion for railways, coalmines and the town of Cinderford with everyone.
As if this were not enough, Ian runs a small but rapidly expanding publishing business and has helped many members of the society turn their research into well produced books which sell successfully all over the Forest and beyond.
The Forest of Dean Local History Society has also been recognised for the third year running for articles in The New Regard.
In 2000 Keith Walker won the BALH award for his excellent article on The First Severn Tunnel, in 2001 Christine Martyn was shortlisted for her well researched article on Dean Agriculture in the 20th century and this year Brian Johns has been shortlisted for his survey on Brockaditches.