As the last major alterations to the harbour were conducted during the 1870s, lydney is a rare example of an unspoilt 19th century harbour, built to accommodate sailing ships so its historic importance is disproportionate to its size. A glance back at lydney docks by neil parkhouse alibris uk. Lydney docks and harbour, naas lane, lydney forest of. Our membership is still growing and we are proud of the way we fulfil our mission of helping people to enjoy and know more about the rich local history of our area. It was commisioned and constructed by the government in 1940, and it was built to produce technical aircraft and marine plywood for wartime requirements. Paper railwayana refers to maps, posters, timetables, drawings and paintings and even old luggage labels. Home about us events news publications new regard books reprints leaflets view all resources learn about the forest mining heritage. However, the shipping history of lydney can be traced back much earlier than that and the final chapter in the harbours working history was not written until 1977. Lydney tide times, gloucestershire gl15 5 willyweather. This onemile canal in gloucestershire runs inland from the river severn to lydney. This is perhaps one of the most diverse and fascinating categories, as many of the items are from old or obsolete railway lines and give a. Lydney became the principal sea outlet for coal mined in the forest of dean. An illustrated history of the severn and wye railway the.
However, the shipping history of lydney can be traced back much earlier than that and the final chapter in the harbours working history was not written until. Turtle bunbury awardwinning travel writer, historian. Lydney is situated on the north bank of the severn estuary where the river first begins to widen out. The environment agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over. Another one follows on the approach to the long lost severn bridge.
They may well include the names of other locations or areas. Lydney photos explore and buy nostalgic photos of lydney everything old photos old maps books memories. The population was about 8,960 in the 2001 census, reducing to 8,766 at the 2011 census. There is a very pleasant and easy walk around the docks and harbour. This book seeks to document the story of the port of lydney and bring to life some of. Old photos of lydney, gloucestershire browse nostalgic, historic local photos online. Welcome to the forest of dean local history society. Welcome to the forest of dean local history society website. Banks of coal sidings ran along the docks, serving nine coaling stages. Lydney harbour history and heritage in or near lydney in. Volume 5 from the severn and wye railway history focuses on lyndey docks and its railways. This website provides a window to much of that history, as well as highlighting.
Barges would continue through 3 locks and up to lydney canal. Pine end works occupies a 14 acre site in harbour road, a couple of miles away from lydney, next to the severn estuary. Lydney, gloucestershire a glimpse of gables after a short walk around the restored docks at lydney when i watched mist lift from the river severn, i walked back towards the industrial estate under a virtually cloudless sky. Lightmoor press books a glance back at lydney docks. A glance back at lydney docks lightmoor press books. Lightmoor press forest of dean lines and the severn bridge. The inner basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. Lydney docks will appear in volume 5 and the severn bridge railway and sharpness docks in volume 6. These are all the names of all the administrative units which we have associated with lydney, and you must judge whether all or even any of them are variant names for the place. It was once connected by a horse drawn tramroad to pidcocks canal which brought materials down to the wharves by tubboat.
A newspaper, the lydney herald, was published for a few months in 1863, and another, the lydney journal, appeared between 1865 and 1867. It was opened in 18 to transship iron and coal from the forest of dean. Turn right at the post with the red arrow 2 and walk to the boulder on the riverbank 3. Lightmoor press forest of dean lines and the severn bridge gloucestershire railways vol 2 glosrlys2 for this second volume covering the railways of gloucestershire in colour author neil parkhouse has once again assembled a remarkable and extensive selection of pictures, collected over the last fifteen years, which are further illustrated with. Lydney harbour has played a full part in making the severn estuary the gateway from the south west to the rest of the world. Photographs and information on lydney harbour in the forest of dean. Ralph, the operaloving short order cook at the diner on pier 46, helps to save his favorite singer from the clutches of tough rat kidnappers. Lydney harbour, a place steeped in history and heritage. There is a very pleasant and easy walk around the docks and. The casual visitor to the forest of dean will no doubt find it a pleasant, though unassuming, area in which to escape the pressures of everyday life, the absence of splendour in the landscape being more than compensated for by the tranquillity to be found in its lush and gentle greenwood. Lydney was the main port loading coal from the forest of dean onto coastal vessel. Owen served as a fireman on the railways throughout the 50s but eventually became a water bailiff and fisheries officer.
In 1998 the lydney docks partnership was established to create a sustainable future for the harbour. Turtle bunbury is an awardwinning travel writer, historian and author based in ireland. During the war it was used to produce wooden aircraft panels for the mosquito fighterbomber and the. Detailed monograph on the railways and docks of lydney and its harbour. In 1980 lydney harbour was designated as an ancient monument as it is a rare example of an unspoilt 19th century harbour the last major alterations having been carried out in the 1870s, and in 2002 a major scheme to refurbish the docks was begun. In a book woven throughout with riveting novelist detail and illustrated with photographs that capture the frenetic energy of the place, bill sharpsteen tells the story of the people who have made this port, the largest in the country, one. Lydney docks music fest 2017 lydney festival facebook. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Owen hudson with lem gardiner operating a winch or sluice gate which may have been connected to the lock gates. Buy a glance back at lydney docks first edition first printing by parkhouse, neil isbn. After training as a marine engineer, david often sailed from liverpool docks on his many voyages to south america with the pacific steam navigation company. For cities, the associated administrative units will usually include parishes, especially ecclesiastical parishes, one of whose names is the.
Welcome to the website of the forest of dean local history society, the oldest society in the county. Pine end works, lydney october 2009 derelict places. The town has been bypassed since 1995 by the a48 road. At their peak, the docks handled up to 406,400 tonnes of coal annually. Topography gloucestershire from sedgeberrow books of. Lydney docks and harbour, naas lane, lydney forest of dean the docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. For these reasons it has always held a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of lydney. The boulder shows the direction to the site of the lydney roman temple and alvington church. Lydney junction 1st lydney junction st marys halt lydney town norchard low level norchard high level severn bridge station sharpness 1st woolaston sharpness 2nd gatcombe whitecroft berkeley parkend awre junction. This is a timely new guide book from the acknowledged authority on gloucester docks, with the further redevelopment of the quays to the south of this well loved. A look at the modern dean forest railway is accompanied by a visit to many of the numerous colliery lines which were hidden in the forest. Lydney docks and harbour, naas lane, lydney forest of dean.
The journey starts at berkeley road and dwells at length at sharpness docks, which had two swing bridges. The rising severn tide swept the vessels up the river past sharpness docks and straight into pier 17, which disappeared in a large bang and a fireball along with the bows of the boats, five of the nine crewmembers, two spans of the bridge, and the gasmain to lydney. Up until fairly recently this area was very run down as, when the docks closed in 1977, the tidal basin was walled in and the lock gates fell into disrepair. This website provides a window to much of that history, as well as highlighting resources to. The docks is an eyeopening journey into a giant madhouse of activity that few outsiders ever see. Large quantities of silt were removed and the outer lock gates, sealed since 1976, were opened. Lydney harbour 2020 all you need to know before you go with. Lidney, or lvdney, a small town, a parish, and a subdistrict, in the district of chepstow and county of gloucester. The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. It would then be loaded on to barges that would travel up the river to either lydney harbour which is a lovely little spot or sharpness docks, where it would then be carried across the severn to the harbour. History of lydney, in forest of dean and gloucestershire. Ships would carry huge hardwoods from west africa to avonmouth.
In 1825, the north pier was extended to facilitate navigation into the basin. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Buy a glance back at lydney docks by neil parkhouse online at alibris uk. David paul was born and brought up in speke, liverpool at the end of the second world war. Tinworks junction otters pool junction norchard colliery severn bridge tunnel sharpness docks tufts junction sharpness south. Detailed forecast tide charts and tables with past and future low and high tide times lydney tide times, gloucestershire gl15 5 willyweather. Books go search hello select your address todays deals christmas shop vouchers amazonbasics best sellers gift ideas new releases gift cards customer service free delivery shopper toolkit sell. Printed on gloss art paper, casebound with printed board covers. Comparing them with pictures in the book a glance back at lydney docks and estimating my grandparents ages i reckon these two scenes at lydney docks are from the 1930s. Aylburton was not named in domesday book but in 0 was thought to be ancient demesne. The lydney observer, a weekly, was begun in 1875, fn.
His work also includes extensive articles relating to travels in sri lanka, zimbabwe, mexico, europe. When the light is right, the huge sky and the sweep of the river can be quite breathtaking. To be honest the best bit about lydney docks is the view over the severn. I love visiting lydney harbour on a nice day the views are great you can see the severn bridge nice to. What a lovely peaceful place to spend a few hours either sitting and chilling out or having a gentle stroll and reading the. It is on the west bank of the river severn, in the forest of dean district, and is 16 miles 25 km southwest of gloucester as the crow flies. Mystery on the docks by thacher hurd, hardcover barnes. Lydney is a small town and civil parish in the english county of gloucestershire. Lydney harbour 2020 all you need to know before you go. Photo prints old maps folded maps calendars photo books jigsaws mugs tableware tea towels cushion covers gift. There has been a port here since roman times, to ship out the iron ore and later coal that had been mined in the forest of dean.