Forest of Dean FHT Forum - Dennis POTTER's "The Changing Forest" on BBC Radio

Dennis POTTER's "The Changing Forest" on BBC Radio (reply)

Jefff — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:09:09 +0000

This week my favourite radio station, BBC 4 Extra, will be serialising a reading of Dennis Potter's book "The Changing Forest", first published in 1962. Dennis describes a visit to his home area around Berry Hill, Coleford, while up at New College, Oxford in about 1957. As a fan of this book I look forward to these broadcasts, particularly the opening section describing his journey by Red & White double decker from Gloster, with a stop-over at Cinderford's "Telebar" cafe, home of the "Forest's first jukebox". This claim "tickles" me; I was born in '62 just yards below this Cafe and the adjacent Red & White bus garage where my dad worked briefly, and I'm a lifelong fan of 1950s rock & roll music and am the proud owner of a 1957 jukebox. As a huge fan of 50s music & culture and Dennis Potter's works, I think it's great that the only thing he could find appealing about my admittedly less-than-attractive home town was a loud coffeebar & some friendly locals, I was definitely born too late !. For anyone else with a penchant for those days, by happy coincidence yesterday Radio 4 Extra also aired an interesting documentary discussing the early careers of such as Tommy Steele and Terry Dene who are mentioned in Dennis' great book.

The reading will be serialised daily all this week, broadcast 2.15pm with a later repeat. All broadcasts will be available to "listen again" via the BBC iPlayer upto a week after first broadcast.

Listen here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00d6lc3

http://intranet.yorksj.ac.uk/potter/JG_changing_forest.htm

To listen-again to the music documentary which hopefully evokes some good memories for those who were lucky enough to be teenagers in the headly late 1950s, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zq9vm

------------------------------

I'm delighted to see Potter's documentary film "Between Two Rivers" has very recently been posted on Youtube. I wouldn't be surprised if it is removed from the site due to copyright laws, so please catch it while you can.
This documentary was made and narrated by Dennis in 1960, shortly after graduating to become a BBC journalist, quite possibly describing the same visit as the above book;
Returning to the Berry Hill roots of his childhood, Potter used interviews with locals (including his parents) to show changes in the working-class traditions of the Forest of Dean, where "the green forest has a deep black heart beneath its sudden hills, pushing up slag heaps and gray little villages clustering around the coal."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-18719146

http://deanweb.info/dennis%20potter.html

Once again a personal highlight is the scene in a Coleford Cafe complete with obligatory classic 50s jukebox, perhaps not as stylish as my US-built Rock-Ola, but it's probably far less temperamental too !!.
http://www.sungreen.co.uk/Coleford-Glos/Between_two_rivers.html
The Coleford jukebox was a BAL-AMi Model "J" first introduced in 1959, British-made from American roots via Ilford, Essex. Like mine it had a rotary carousel capable of holding one hundred 7"singles giving "200 plays", and valve amplifier and large speakers for a great depth of tone. Love it !
http://bal-ami.com/balhtml/modelj.shtml

Here's a short clip about the making of the coffee-bar scene, narrated by one of the local lads who appeared in the scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcG_0hfGmmM

Watch the film here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv-qUNhU9HI

UPDATE APRIL 2018 - Not unexpectedly and rather sadly Youtube have removed this film, I'll try and upload it again sometime.

Jane HAWKINS 1868 Top Lonk (reply)

llangrove — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 08:50:11 +0000

Jane Hawkins Wale's younger sister, Miriam Hawkins (listed in census) is pictured in the Berry Hill section of the photo gallery, as Miriam (Hawkins) Baglin. She was Dennis Potter's grand-aunt.

http://www.forest-of-dean.net/gallery/berryhill/

Christopher WALE 1870 London (reply)

slowhands — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 02:53:50 +0000

1901 19 Chancellors Road
Christopher Wale abt 1870 London, England, London, England Head Fulham London
Jane Wale abt 1868 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife Fulham London
Alice M Wale abt 1899 London, England, London, England Daughter Fulham London
Frank Wale abt 1897 London, England, London, England Son Fulham London
Frederick Wale abt 1900 London, England, London, England Son Fulham London
Nellie Wale abt 1895 London, England, London, England Daughter Fulham London
Ralph Wale abt 1896 London, England, London, England Son Fulham London

1891

1881 4 Munster Tce
Eliza Wale abt 1827 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Head Harmmersmith London
Arthur Wale abt 1862 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Son Harmmersmith London
Christopher Wale abt 1870 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Son Harmmersmith London
Emma Wale abt 1860 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Harmmersmith London
Marion Wale abt 1858 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Harmmersmith London

1871
George Wale abt 1825 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Head Hammersmith London
Eliza Wale abt 1827 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Wife Hammersmith London
Arthur Wale abt 1862 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Son Hammersmith London
Christopher Wale abt 1870 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Son Hammersmith London
Emma Wale abt 1860 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith London
George Wale abt 1851 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Son Hammersmith London
Minnie Wale abt 1858 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith London
Ralph Wale abt 1863 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Son Hammersmith London

1861
George E Wale abt 1825 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Head Hammersmith Middlesex
Eliza Wale abt 1827 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Wife Hammersmith Middlesex
Alice Wale abt 1856 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith Middlesex
Eliza Wale abt 1849 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith Middlesex
Emma Wale abt 1860 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith Middlesex
George Wale abt 1851 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Son Hammersmith Middlesex
Marion Wale abt 1858 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith Middlesex
Sarah Wale abt 1853 Middlesex, England, Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith Middlesex

1851
George Elijah Wale abt 1825 Middlesex, England Head Hammersmith Middlesex
Eliza Wale abt 1827 Middlesex, England Wife Hammersmith Middlesex
Eliza Wale abt 1849 Middlesex, England Daughter Hammersmith Middlesex
George Jas Wale abt 1850 Middlesex, England Son Hammersmith Middlesex

1841 Queen St
James Wale abt 1787 Middlesex, England Hammersmith Middlesex
Sarah Wale abt 1788 Middlesex, England Hammersmith Middlesex
Ann Wale abt 1827 Middlesex, England Hammersmith Middlesex
George Wale abt 1825 Middlesex, England Hammersmith Middlesex
Henry Wale abt 1806 Middlesex, England Hammersmith Middlesex
Jane Wale abt 1823 Middlesex, England Hammersmith Middlesex

Edward POTTER 1851 Hillersland (reply)

slowhands — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 01:56:15 +0000

1871 nr Rock Inn Hillersland
John Churchill abt 1815 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Churchill abt 1823 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Jane Potter abt 1847 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Boarder West Dean Gloucestershire
William Potter abt 1856 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Boarder West Dean Gloucestershire
Edward Potter abt 1851 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Boarder West Dean Gloucestershire

1861
Thomas Potters abt 1785 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Jane Potters abt 1823 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Mary Potters abt 1792 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Providence Potters abt 1818 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Edward Potters abt 1851 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Grandson English Bicknor Gloucestershire

1851 Hillersland
Thomas Potter abt 1785 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Head English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Mary Potter abt 1796 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Wife English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Dennis Potter abt 1825 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Son English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Potter abt 1822 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Daughter English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Jane Potter abt 1831 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Daughter English Bicknor Gloucestershire
John Potter abt 1832 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Son English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Providence Potter abt 1818 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Son English Bicknor Gloucestershire

1841 Hillersland
Thomas Potter abt 1791 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire Farmer
Mary Potter abt 1791 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire
Dennis Potter abt 1828 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Potter abt 1824 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire
Jane Potter abt 1830 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire
John Potter abt 1832 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire
Providence Potter abt 1821 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire
William Potter abt 1826 Gloucestershire, England Bicknor English Gloucestershire

see also
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=4663

Jane HAWKINS 1868 Top Lonk (reply)

slowhands — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 23:47:41 +0000

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=731#p2157
FYI...the Jane Hawkins born abt.1868 (listed below)was the grandmother of Dennis Potter!

Name: Jane Hawkins
Name: Christopher Wale
Year of Registration: 1891
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Fulham
County: United Kingdom
Volume: 1a
Page: 424

1891 ?
Jane Hawkins abt 1867 Gloucestershire, England Servant Kensington London

1881 Lonk nr Coleford
Asenath Hawkins abt 1848 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Edwin Hawkins abt 1872 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Elizabeth Hawkins abt 1874 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Morkins Hawkins abt 1879 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Sidney Hawkins abt 1876 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England

near neighbour
Richard Hawkins abt 1829 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Fanny Hawkins abt 1836 Lydney, Gloucestershire, England Wife Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Fanny Hawkins abt 1871 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Frederick Hawkins abt 1866 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Henry Hawkins abt 1873 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Jane Hawkins abt 1868 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Miriam Hawkins abt 1876 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Richard Hawkins abt 1860 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England
William Hawkins abt 1878 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Lonk, West Dean, Gloucestershire, England

1871 Lonk
Richard Hawkins abt 1830 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Fanny Hawkins abt 1834 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Ellen Hawkins abt 1862 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Fanny Hawkins abt 1871 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Frederick Hawkins abt 1865 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Jane Hawkins abt 1868 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Richard Hawkins abt 1860 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire

Name: Jane Hawkins
Year of Registration: 1868
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11a
Page: 29

Mary Jane HOWELLS 1882 Joyford Hill (reply)

slowhands — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 23:30:23 +0000

1891 Joyford Hill
Thomas Howells abt 1852 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary A Howells abt 1854 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Florence Howells abt 1880 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary J Howells abt 1883 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Nora B Howells abt 1891 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Walter Howells abt 1876 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire

Name: Mary Jane Howell ?
Year of Registration: 1882
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11a
Page: 28

1881 Joyford Hill
Thomas Howells abt 1852 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary A. Howells abt 1854 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Florence Howells abt 1880 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Kate Howells abt 1874 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Minnie Howells abt 1873 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Walter E. Howells abt 1876 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire

1871 Joyford Hill
Richard Howells abt 1811 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Howells abt 1811 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Thomas Howells abt 1852 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire

1861 Berry Hill / Bridewell
Richard Howells abt 1811 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Howells abt 1811 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Thomas Howells abt 1852 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Walters Howells abt 1841 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
William Howells abt 1846 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Parlor abt 1784 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Mother-in-law West Dean Gloucestershire

1851 Christchurch
Richard Howells abt 1811 Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Howells abt 1812 Herefordshire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Sarah Howells abt 1837 Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Walder Howells abt 1841 Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
William Howells abt 1846 Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Porton abt 1787 Gloucestershire, England Lodger West Dean Gloucestershire

1841 Berry Hill
Richard Howell abt 1811 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest Gloucestershire
Mary Howell abt 1813 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest Gloucestershire
Sarah Howell abt 1837 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest Gloucestershire
Walter Howell abt 1840 Gloucestershire, England Dean Forest Gloucestershire

George Thomas POTTER 1877 Christchurch (reply)

slowhands — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 23:24:31 +0000

1901 Joyford Hill West Dean Monmouthshire
George T Potter abt 1877 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head
Mary J Potter abt 1882 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife
Ellen E Potter abt 1900 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter

Name: Mary Jane Howells
Name: George Thomas Potter
Year of Registration: 1900
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11a
Page: 43

Year 1900
Month Apr
Day 14
Groom Surname POTTER
Groom Forename(s) George Thomas
Groom Age at Marriage 23
Groom condition Bachelor
Groom Rank or Profession Collier
Groom Residence Shortstanding
Groom Father's Surname Potter
Groom Father's Forename(s) Edward
Groom Father's Rank or Profession Collier
Bride Surname HOWELLS
Bride Forename(s) Mary Ann
Bride Age at Marriage 19
Bride Condition Spinster
Bride Rank or Profession [not stated]
Bride Residence Joyford
Bride Father's Surname Howells
Bide Father's Forename(s) Thomas
Bride Father's Rank or Profession Inn Keeper
Licence or Banns Banns
Date of banns
Signature or Mark Both sign
Witness 1 Richard Jones
Witness 2 Bessie Potter
Other witnesses None
Officiating Minister C. Barnes Vicar
Event type M

1891 Christchurch
Mary A Potter abt 1853 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Arthur J Potter abt 1883 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Edward Potter abt 1874 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Potter abt 1879 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
George S Potter abt 1877 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Sydney Potter abt 1885 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire

1881 The Lonk Christchurch
Edward Potter abt 1851 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Potter abt 1852 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Benjamin Potter abt 1875 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
George Potter abt 1877 Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Potter Gloucestershire, England, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire

Name: George Thomas Potter
Year of Registration: 1877
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11a
Page: 27

Name: Mary Ann Jones
Name: Edward Potter
Year of Registration: 1872
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11a
Page: 29

Dennis POTTER 1935 - 1994 Playwright Joyford

slowhands — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 23:23:34 +0000

1935 - 1994
http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/potter/

Dennis Christopher George Potter
born on May 17th 1935 at "Brick House" on Joyford Hill,Berry Hill nr Coleford
died June 7th 1994

son of Walter Edward Potter, and Margaret Potter (nee Wale)

Name: Walter Edward Potter
Year of Registration: 1906
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11a
Page: 23

Grandfathers George Thomas Potter and Christopher Wale

Grandmothers Mary Jane Howell and Jane Hawkins