Freeminers film screening at Clearwell Caves

31 May 2008 – Don’t miss the chance to get a rare glimpse into the life of freeminers, when Melville Watts’ insightful documentary is shown at Clearwell Caves.

On Saturday 31 May 2008, Gloucestershire residents and visitors will be given the rare opportunity to get an insight into the life of Forest of Dean freeminers, when Melville Watts’ film Forest Life – The Freeminers is screened at Clearwell Caves.

‘Freeminer’ is an ancient title given to coal miners, male and born within an area known as the Hundred of St Briavels’, who earned the right to mine personal plots termed gales.

This acclaimed documentary shows freeminers as they worked in the area during the early 1970s, unveiling a relatively recent living history which was uniquely made using high quality 16mm film. Originally made for private circulation only, the work follows the few remaining freeminers of the time who, thanks to rights conferred in the 13th century, continue to work in the tiny coal mines of the Forest of Dean.

The coal faces in the mines were often so narrow that miners were forced to work lying on their stomachs, loading coal into carts by shovel before it was pushed out of the mine by hand, with workers emerging at the end of a day’s work covered in a grey film.

The film’s producer Melville Watts is best known as being part of the local family owning Watts Tyres and Watts Trucks, and in 1994 received an OBE for his community contributions, particularly in his work for Lydney Hospital.

Whether you’re a Forester or not, this special screening is sure to provide audiences with a rich and powerful insight into the very roots of The Forest of Dean.

Event: Forest Life – The Freeminers screening
Venue: Clearwell Caves
Date: Saturday 31 May 2008
Times: 8pm
Tickets: Cost £3 per person, with proceeds going to Friends of Lydney Hospital. For more information and to book in advance contact Clearwell Caves on (01594) 832535.

SoGlos.com
5 April 2008