Pillowell and the 1921 General Strike (General)
Further to the picture of the Pillowell Recreation Ground 1921
http://www.forest-of-dean.net/gallery/fod_variety_1/pages/page_1.html
Paul Watkins has kindly sent us the following details. This is taken verbatim
from an account written by Paul's father, Rex Watkins, as told to him by his
Grandfather.
"The detail behind the photograph as related by my Grandfather. During the 1921
General Strike - mainly coalminers striking for better wages and working
conditions. During this strike Lord Bledisloe who lived in the Mansion outside
Lydney and owned all the land surrounding, gave a piece of land to the
inhabitants of Pillowell to create a Recreation Ground. The photograph was taken
during the levelling of the ground by the men who were on strike. The "rec"
boasted a swing and a see - saw, a football pavilion and boasted a full sized
and marked out football field having since fallen foul of vandals. There still
is a Pillowell Recreation Ground Committee."