Did herrings have a political significance in Cinderford? (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 00:50 (2469 days ago) @ JaneyH

On 7 February 1874 - election day - there was a riot in Cinderford. One of the main targets attacked was the Fleece Inn, Bilson Woodside, and the adjoining butcher's shop, both owned by a certain James White.

The Fleece Inn was a particular target as it was being used as the committee rooms for the Conservatives. Whether this was simply a generic/national political argument that became violent, or whether there was a particular local dimension to it I'm unsure. One particular comment in the newspaper "Let’s go to **** old Matthias’s and pull the **** church down; he’s been writing about us, and saying we earn too much money" is particularly interesting - was there some sort of controversy between the church and miners?

Wow Janey, great post !. Lots to think about there, especially as this Cinderfordian doesn't know of any hidden meaning to oranges and herrings ??? I would have thought the newspapers at the time would have tried to follow this unusual line of enquiry and if so surely someone would have known ?.

First things first, yes most certainly the Churches in the Forest were largely funded by the local wealthy families, so would have had political ties. I've read somewhere (sadly cannot find it at this time) that workers were very much expected to attend the same Church as their employers, eg
Bilson Woodside aka Cinderford's first Church, St Johns above the Bridge, was initially funded by Charles Bathurst of Lydney park, who thusfar I can find little about despite him being the father of Charles Bathurst MP aka Viscount Bledisloe, so I don't know his political leanings. However by c1850 the Church was attended & supported by Henry Crawshay who lived nearby, and hence his employees from Lightmoor Colliery.
http://way-mark.co.uk/foresthaven/historic/hstrus0a.htm

c1850 the building of Cinderford's Wesley Methodist Church on Belle Vue road was funded by Aaron Gould, who owned pits in the area including Broadmoor (aka Bilson, "duck").
http://way-mark.co.uk/foresthaven/livnhist/slide094.htm#
http://way-mark.co.uk/foresthaven/livnhist/slide099.htm#
I believe he was initially an owner of iron mines (St Annals) before that industry was overshadowed by coal mining.
http://way-mark.co.uk/foresthaven/livnhist/slide078.htm#

Gould also had St Annals House built next-door to the Wesley, more recently home to the Council Offices. Again, sorry, I know little more about Aaron or his political views, and would love to know more about his background please.
https://www.cinderfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/about/belle-vue-centre/
http://way-mark.co.uk/foresthaven/livnhist/slide079.htm#

"An important factor in the development of the town centre was new building in Flaxley Meend, part of the Flaxley Abbey estate, to the southeast. Wesley, a large chapel at the bottom of Belle Vue Road, was built in 1849 by Aaron Goold, who a few years later built St. Annals (formerly Belle Vue House) to the south-east as his residence. Both buildings were set originally in wooded grounds and gardens. The house became an institute in the early 20th century and was used as offices by East Dean and United Parishes rural district council and its successors from 1929 until 1991."
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/glos/vol5/pp300-325

c1842 Cinderford Baptist Chapel was funded by William Frowen Rhodes, who had been a grocer in Coleford before moving to Cinderford. I guess it's POSSIBLE he may have sold oranges, but surely not relevant here ???....
http://www.forest-of-dean.net/fodmembers/index.php?id=42610
http://way-mark.co.uk/foresthaven/livnhist/slide101.htm#
http://way-mark.co.uk/foresthaven/livnhist/slide102.htm#

Anyhow, some questions for you, please.
Your report mentions "old Matthias’s church - do you have any more info as to who he was, please ?.

Similarly, do you have any more info on James White, pub & shop owner ?. A quick search doesn't seem to find him in the past posts, or Trade Directories of the time.
http://www.forest-of-dean.net/joomla/index.php/resources/kelly-s-directory-1879/48-east...

Thanks, J