Birch Hill Sandstone Quarry, history (General)

by slowhands , proud of his ancient Dean Forest roots, Monday, October 06, 2008, 22:17 (5901 days ago) @ tonyjenkins

strange Google puts it between Lambsquay and the B4234 to Chepstow, not as far north as Puzzlewood and Coleford. Pretty close to Clearwell caves.....

Birch Hill Quarry was one of several along the valley (Quest Slade) east of Fetterhill, which worked the Pennant Sandstone (Upper Coal Measures or Westphalian) for building stone.

There were quarries here by 1877 at least, with a tramroad connection to sidings on the Severn & Wye Railway's Coleford Branch, which had opened in 1875. Birch Hill was taken over by the United Stone Firms Co Ltd, which was formed in 1910 to operate all the major stone quarries in the Forest. This firm went into liquidation in 1913, although the company continued to operate under the receiver. It was re-organised in 1926, but went into receivership again in 1931. Work continued under the receiver until 1939, when the firm was acquired by Forest of Dean Stone Firms Ltd.

Like nearby Point Quarry, Birch Hill probably closed at some time in this period. Working of the present Birch Hill Quarry began in the early 1960s by Taylor & Martin. There were originally three small quarries (one called Jackdaw), but the quarry has now expanded considerably. It is currently producing stone for walling, buildings and restoration work.

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