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.

Yes, we are talking about that road, there are old Quarry workings either side of the road, on the brow of the hill between the Orepool Inn and the Toll House. A Footpath used to go from just above Clearwell Cemetary up through the Quarry on the Toll House side (have walked it many times). There is also some old Quarry workings at the back of The Firs (mentioned earlier) and forgive the pun but its just a stones throw from the caves.

Alison

Are we talking about the road that runs along the front of the Miners arms, past the toll house and onto the Orepool?

If so I guess the quarry would be somewhere opposite the Miners above Clearwell caves?

Regards

Tony

Please let me know how you got the Info re Peyter Jenkins Free Quarryman.

Regards

Tony

My GGrandfather owned a cottage at 'The Rocks' Clearwell.

The cottage was passed onto my Grandfather who lived there until abt 1926.

The are is I believe where Clearwell caves are now located.

Once again thaks for your help.

Tony

Area looks about right for the daily walk from Clearwell.

Rgds

Tony

or GOOGLE Map with the post code - for traditional map, sat image, or hybrid ....

Thx

Tony

Any suggestion on how I can pin point?

Rgds

Tony

map ref SO 59744 08602

Birch Hill Quarry, located at Firs, Chepstow Road, Sling, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8JE

My family are based in Clearwell. The 1851 and 1861 census indicate that both James Payne (a stone merchant from Coleford and Richard Rosser a Labouer from Newland are from the same area.

During the 1950's I recall old quarries at Fetter Hill and Ellwood could it be any of these as I think that Littledean/Elton may be too far for the daily commute?

Regards

Tony

< I'll do some more research>

The nearest quarries would, I suspect, be at Shapridge or on Popes Hill (?)

Does any of this fit ?

however, Birch Hill is saying Sling/Coleford to me !

There is also a Peyter JENKINS registered as a Free Quarryman in 1838, living Clearwell, aged 59

1841 Clearwell
Peter Jenkins abt 1781 Gloucestershire, England Newland, Gloucestershire Stonecutter
Esther Jenkins abt 1786 Gloucestershire, England Newland, Gloucestershire
Esther Jenkins abt 1826 Gloucestershire, England Newland, Gloucestershire

The document was copied from a Gloucester Archive copy of a document held by National Archive ref F16/40 XC0912

Thx Tony

The plan of the quarry is sub dived into plots

The names on a number of plots are

32a Peter Jenkins 2 lenghts no owner ??????????
?? James Jenkins let to Alfred Williams
32 Richard Jenkins let to Harry ?????
?? James ????? dia let to Richard Rosser
26 ???????????????? let to James Payne.

I believe the map to be dated abt. 1850

This may be the location of my ancestors stonecutters.

Can any one help with the location of Birch Hill or Tile Quarry Hill

Many Thanks

Tony Jenkins