Geoff

A grandfather from the Forest of Dean builds a cardboard pirate ship during lockdown. See this BBC report

A new arrival to Parkend is a railway truck in Parkend Deep Navigation Collieries livery. The truck is sited on a newly restored section of the siding that once served the loading wharf at Marsh Sidings- just past the Fountain Inn in the distance.

Parkend Deep Navigation owned and operated several local collieries.

The inscription on this stone which looks as though it was carved yesterday says:
MADGE
A FAVOURITE MARE
DIED 20TH MARCH 1897
THIS IS TO HER MEMORY
BY P. & I. M. B.
LET HER REMAINS REST UNDISTURBED
SHE WAS AN HONEST AND WILLING SERVANT.

The P. B. was Philip Baylis, Deputy Surveyor of the Forest of Dean from 1893 to 1906. The I.M. was Isabelle Marguerite Baylis. The Deputy Surveyor was a crown official that lived at Whitemead Park.

Philip Baylis left memorials to several of his beloved animals in the Whitemead grounds, notably Satan, Nellie Bly, Towser and Madge.

TOWZER
A DEAR LOVER OF HORSES
FOR OVER 11 YEARS
A FAITHFUL GUARDIAN AT WHITEMEAD
DIED AUGUST 7TH 1904
THIS TO HIS MEMORY BY PB

THIS SUNDIAL PLACED IN THE GARDEN OF WHITEMEAD PARK, DEAN FOREST OVER THE REMAINS OF SATAN … HE WAS BORN IN 1894 AND DIED AT WHITEMEAD PARK ON SUNDAY 25 FEB 1906. HE DEARLY LOVED THE SUNSHINE.

A large teapot made by local potter and artist Mary Rose made a cameo appearance in the final of The Great Pottery Throw Down. Our walks often pass Mary Rose’s gallery where the teapot is now back on display.

A recent walk after heavy rain from storm Dennis passed a small paddock that excess water flow has temporarily converted into a pond.

Nearby rivers, the Severn and Wye have reached record levels so for the next few days it is prudent to check for flood warnings before travelling.