My Great grandfather, William Wood, his wife Ellen (nee Lewis), and daughter Eve Ellen (who later married Charles Drew) and became publicans of the Malt Shovel Inn, in Ruardean (c1911-1923) appear on the 1881 Census (RG11/2521 – 325/1). The enumerator, John Crook, describes his route thus:

“The fifth remaining part of the township of East Dean commencing at The Old Bible Chapel, Drybrook, is bounded on the East by the road leading to Nailbridge to Aaron Meek's Public House including the same; on the south side by the Ruardean Hill Enclosure to the Pluckpenny Gateway, and on the West by the road leading to the Old Steam Mill House to Mr Bennett’s Shop on the Ruardean Road including all houses on the lower side of Ruardean Hill and those on the West of Drybrook.”

I would like to locate the site of the Old Bible Chapel mentioned as my ancestors, the Wood’s, were first on the schedule (all were shown as Ruardean Hill) so was their house next to the Chapel? I did visit the area recently but without local knowledge was unable to locate it.

Can anyone help me locate it, and the other landmarks given in the route? Do any photos or maps (OS 1:2500?) exist that might help?

This site gives a few historical details and identifies the Bible Chapel with Drybrook Methodist Church. (However,Old Bible Chapel might refer to it's predecessor, which might be a bit more difficult to locate).

http://churchdb.gukutils.org.uk/GLS890.php

This link will allow you to see enough detail without subscription to find the Providence Chapel (zoom out if it opens with the subscription invite).

https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/364550/217642/12/100203

The BNA Gloucester Journal Saturday August 29 1886 reports Aaron MEEK as the landlord of the Railway Inn beerhouse at Nailbridge – he was fined for opening his premises during prohibited hours on a Sunday.

Scrolling south on the map will let you see the Railway Inn.

Could it be http://www.myprimitivemethodists.org.uk/page/nailbridge_primitive_methodist_chapel

This is sited on the Ruardean Hill side of Morse Road, Drybrook. Using the same map on the link supplied by Mike Pinchin, it is west (left) of the word JUNCTION in MITCHELDEAN & FOREST OF DEAN JUNCTION RAILWAY line shown on the map.

The Chapel is sited just "north" of the site of Pluckpenny Colliery, hence the Pluckpenny Gate reference. It was/is known locally as "Sandy Bank" Chapel, or sometimes "Sunny Bank" Chapel. As shown on the link it was built in 1861. Now a private house.