Hello,
I am trying to find out if there were any annual festivities that happened in the Forest and if any photographs were taken. For instance was there an annual Freeminers celebration or anything like that which may have been documented harvest festivals and the like.

Thank you.

This is part of a letter my x Great Uncle Rev W S WICKENDEN (born Awre) - from the Gentleman's Magazine Vol 92, Part 2, July 1822

Mr Urban

Blakeney ....

On a small green near the abovementioned village, a large party of rustics were engaged in their Whitsuntide amusement of Morris dancing, and the appearance of the dancers covered with ribbons gliding at intervals through the vistas formed by the fruit trees, had a very pleasing effect....

....

They literally cover their bodies and hats with ribbons of all colours, and, preceded by two persons bearing a flag and two rusty swords, a Tom Fool (as they call him), and a Maid Marian, they cut the most ridiculours capers and contortions, and actually fulful these lines of Goldsmith.

"The dancing pair that simply sought renown, By holding out, to tire each other down."

(also talks about Christmas) - will add...

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William WICKENDEN christened Awre 26 (or 6th) April 1796, parents: John and Ann nee (STEPHENS)

(assume he added S - for STEPHENS)

Continuation of same letter July 1822

'The foresters, from their secluded situation of this part of the country, and by not mixing much with their more enlightened neighbours, have a great many superstitious customs among them, of which the following are the most remarkable.

They implicitly believe old Christmas (5th of January) to be the real Christmas Day, and no argument whatever would convince them of their error. On that night (they say), exactly at twelve o'clock, the herb rosemary blossoms, which is a proof that our Saviour was born at that hour. The oxen likewise kneel down at the same time; and some will go so far as to say they have actually seen these prodigies.

On old Christmas Day they will not suffer any females to enter their houses, and during the above day and the eleven succeeding ones, they will not suffer any fire to be taken out of their houses. If you ask them their reasons for observing the above customs, they will tell you it is unlucky to break them, and recount several strange accidents which have happened to persons who have been presumptuous enough to do so.

At the new Moon they turn the money in their pockets, thinking it to be lucky.

They believe in witchcrafts, and wonderful are the tales they relate of wizards, apparitions, and enchanters.

..... and goes on to say, If you admit this paper into your Miscellany, I shall at some future time give you a more detailed account of Dean Forest scenery and manners, for the subject is far from being exhausted.'

W. S WICKENDEN

Wow, great history there, thanks M.

And also from you this excellent resource, see https://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=39719

Certainly the Harvest festival was always celebrated, as a kid I loved it at our church in Cinderford. Altho' it seems a bit odd seeing as most of the Forest isn't an agricultural area, altho the old miners invariably grew their own veg etc.

For photos as well as the Gallery on this site, I suggest searching "festival" and similar words on the Sungreen site, which I see gives dozens of hits for "Harvest".
https://www.sungreen.co.uk/Sungreen-Search.htm

The Baptist movement was also very keen on Church parades. There were definitely miner's Galas and Sports too, on Bank Holidays, held at Speech House if I recall correctly.

Another word to search would be "customs", searching this forum gives this thread about Roping newlyweds and "barring the way".
https://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=42631

Probably also worth searching the old newspapers, this old forum page should help in this respect. I think "curiosities" would be a word favoured by the Victorian newspaper editors.
https://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=46941

PS sorry should have said, no idea why but these links are sometimes best viewed by opening into a new tab or window.

Very true Jeff, I have some photos from Bradley Hill with healthy looking veg plots in the past. Also read some accounts from the 1870's/80's of 'village fetes', incl. a couple of mine at the bran tub. Whilst the mines were there, very little aforestation, like now, as evidenced by the popular postcard views around 1900. Same now where I live although never an industrial area.

Thank you for that interesting article, I am desperate to find out anything I can with reference to the forest and its free miners.

Not unique to the Forest of course, but a quick browse thro' the excellent (and free!) Welsh Newspapers site looking for all things related to "Dean Forest" also gave me these old newspaper clippings, for example.

"DEAN FOREST.
All the collieries, mines, iron and tin works, mills and manufactories in this district were closed for the day, and even harvest and agricultural operations were suspended. The feature at Cinderford was the Baptist Sunday-school treat and demonstration. The 1,605 scholars and 65 teachers, with members of the church, made a formidable procession, which, headed by brass bands, paraded the streets, and then led the way to Double View, where there was a big tea, followed with a variety of amusements, and, finally, some fireworks. At Coleford the Foresters' Friendly Society held their annual meeting. After a public dinner in the Town hall there were sports, for which about £40 value in prizes were offered. At Newnham there were very similar proceedings, except that the scope of the undertakings was of a more limited nature. At Lydney the only attraction was the public tea in the park, kindly lent by Mr Chas Bathurst, and promoted for the benefit of the Cottage Hospital.
The Horse Show at Ross, where £350 was offered in prizes, and where all-round amusements were provided, attracted a great many Foresters; as also did the Berkeley Hunt Agricultural Show."

Cardiff Times, 6th August 1892

And also

"DEAN FOREST.
SABBATH SCHOOL CENTENARY:- On Thursday the Nonconformists of the Forest of Dean joined in a Sunday-school centenary celebration. Upwards of 5,000 children assembled at the Speechhouse. The schools taking part in the procession were from Coleford, Cinderford, Lydney-on- Severn, Whitecroft, Yorkley, Bream, Soudley, Oldcroft, Ruspidge, Blakeney Hill, Viney Hill, Berry Hill, and Nidsley Green. Special trains were run by the Severn and Wye Railway Company. The children and their teachers assembled, headed by several bands of music and banners. There was a general holiday through the Forest, and it was estimated that 20,000 people assembled. The surrounding woodlands are very massive and beautiful. Many of the visitors inspected the giant oaks, and rambled in the inviting shades where the ferns are especially luxuriant. The children were served with a bountiful supply of plum cake and tea, and subsequently addresses were delivered by the ministers and others, presided over by the venerable Mr Thomas Nicholson, the Forest philanthropist. In the Forest they had 10,000 Sabbath-school children of the working classes, 500 teachers, and 100 working men acceptable local preachers. The Rev T. Williams B. A., of Coleford; Rev C. Griffiths, Cinderford; Rev G. Clark, Lydney; Mr J. H. Best, and other gentlemen addressed the assemblage. Mr J. T. Adams, as hon. secretary, ably discharged his duties, and the celebration passed off successfully."

Cardiff Times, 21st August 1880

see http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3420569/3420577/238/dean%20forest%20parade

The Baptist parades were still very popular and well supported many years later, as shown by this photo from 1910.
https://forest-of-dean.net/joomla/index.php/cinderford

'Get-together of sorts'

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Article mentions my Great Grandfather, William WICKENDEN, butcher of Blakeney

Gloucester Citizen

Saturday 17 March 1883

William WICKENDEN butcher, of Blakeney, was charged with having, on the 27th of February, assaulted Albert COLEMAN
("Happy Albert"), a member of "The Free Mission Army", residing at Lydney.
COLEMAN was charged with assaulting Richard WILLIAMS, a labourer, -
Mr PARKER, of Newport, appeared for COLEMAN, and Mr CHAMPNEY, of Gloucester, appeared for WICKENDEN and also for WILLIAMS.

It appeared that on the night in question the FREE MISSION party had been holding a service on the "square" at Blakeney, and were on the point of starting for their hall, COLEMAN, MINETT and another were heading the procession.

There was a large crowd, the mission people being added to by some sixty others who had been contemporaneously entertained by a " CHEAP JACK" holding forth in the upper part of the "Square" near the church.

As the mission leaders were walking backwards one of them came into collision with WILLIAMS, and it was sworn that WICKENDEN came up and knocked COLEMAN down, and that although he got up, apparently unhurt and shouted "HALLELUJAH" he afterwards for a period of twenty minutes assisted in conducting the service at the Mission Hall. He became unconscious and was taken to Lydney in a vehicle where for many days he was under medical and had not now fully recovered.

Dr CURRIE, of Lydney gave evidence as to the injuries, and stated that the found COLEMAN on the 28th of February suffering chiefly from nervous shock with slight swelling on the left side of the mouth, and that the symptoms were consistent were the result of a fall on the head.

In the charges preferred by WILLIAMS aginst "Happy Albert" it was sworn that WILLIAMS was first knocked down by COLEMAN.

After a long hearing WICKENDEN was convicted in a penalty of 20s., and costs, and the summons against COLEMAN was dismissed.