THE Forest of Dean Local History Society’s ambition to erect a permanent stone memorial to record the whereabouts and history of one of the district’s most celebrated deep mines has taken a major step towards fruition.

Jon Tainton, of Mine Train Quarry, near Cannop, has gifted the society a stone weighing three tons.

It is soon to be transported to the site of the former New Fancy Colliery near Parkend. Once in position a plaque will be fitted telling the story of the colliery from its opening by one of the Forest’s coal kings, Edward Protheroe, in 1827, until its closure in August 1944.

At its peak the long-lived pit employed over 400 men.

The stone will be placed near the colliery’s second shaft – recently made safe by the Coal Authority – and close to some pieces of mechanics and stonework which remain as reminders of the Dean’s mining heritage.

Though a hugely popular area for visitors, and ‘home’ to the highly regarded Geomap and the admired sculpture to honour those who worked in the local coal industry, there is nothing at the site to record its deep involvement with coal mining.

Opened 40 years ago as a picnic site and with its spoil heap now landscaped and best known as a bird watching hotspot, there will eventually be improved interpretation boards to guide visitors around the area.

The society has released details of its 2016 programme which includes walks, coach tours, a self-drive tour and a wide-ranging series of talks to be held at the West Dean Centre at Bream and the Assembly Rooms, St Briavels.

The walks are around Lower Lydbrook, English Bicknor and Pillowell.

January: LIDAR Archaeology in the Forester’s Forest (Justin Hughes); February: Forest Brass and Silver (Roger Deeks); March (2): Trade on the River Wye (Heather Hurley); Potter in Place (Jason Griffiths; April: Farming in the Forest, the Peasants of West Gloucestershire 1200-1540; September (2): Canal Women, their lives, children and crafts (Jill Ruize); History and Mystery of the Perry Pear (Jim Chapman); October: The Crawshays and their coal mines (Ian Pope); November: Highnam Court through the ages (Dr Roger Head).

Full details are on the society’s website.