Today's 'Open Country' programme was all about the revival of freemining in the Forest. It can be heard again on BBC Radio 4 on 20 Nov at 1.30 p.m., or by Listen Again at:

www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml

One big problem is that local maternity units have been closed and all hospital births are directed to Gloucester. This means that the qualification of being born (in the 100ths of St. Briavels ?)for a freeminer can only be realised with a home confinement.

Gordon

.... being born (in the hundred of St. Briavels and worked in the mine for a year and a day )for a freeminer can only be realised with a home confinement.

Funny how times change - a home confinement was the norm for many of my (freeminer)ancestors :-)

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

I've missed today's programme so will try to hear it on 20th.
HB

I've realised I won't be able to hear it so will now take the link you gave and listen to it sometime tomorrow.