Patron Saint - "Saint Briavel" (General)

by peteressex , Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 16:19 (4226 days ago) @ slowhands

St Giles is indeed listed as patron saint of forests, but when it comes to "foresters" and "forest workers" there are five listed on www.saints.sqpn.com. They are (I was enlightened to learn) Saints Gaucherius, Gummarus, Hubert of Liege, John Gualbert, and Simon the Apostle.

After what happened over the Ruardean bears, we'd better not go for anyone sounding French, so that eliminates Hubert (OK Liege is in Belgium but it's close and sounds it) and Gualbert. Simon the Apostle is a bit everyday, so I reckon it has to be Gaucherius or Gummarus.

I then learn that Gaucherius was born in France.

Gummarus doesn't sound very Gloucestershire, does it, unlike "Lorluvus"? He founded an abbey in Belgium, but nearer Holland than France. He served in the Court of Pippin the Elder (not everybody knows this) which I guess makes him have something very vaguely to do with apple trees. Of existing saints, however obscure, he's my man.

Perhaps it would be better if we invented a saint for the Forest. Thinks: this could run and run.

This thread did involve Happy St George's Day yesterday. The patronal colours of our chosen saint, with that and the Forest's history of bus services in mind, should obviously be red & white.