BBC Open Country - Scowles, mining & quarrying (Announce)

by RogerrGriffiths , Swindon, Saturday, January 30, 2016, 22:35 (3222 days ago) @ RogerrGriffiths

It was particularly interesting to me as my family was involved in iron mining in the Forest in the first half of the 19th Century. Clearwell, Ellwood and Soudley. The history of iron mining went back to pre Roman times. The industry died away as steel overtook iron. Actually, the Mushett's (mentioned in the programme)of Ellwood were fundamental in improvements in the steel making process. They were of Scottish origin. Cannon were produced at Soudley until it was stopped by King Charles II. Requisites, iron, trees for charcoal and water. It was a Royal Forest and too many trees were being cut down to make charcoal. It may sound odd for cannon production in forests. Yet I have seen drawings of the process in France.