ABOUT eight years ago I was privileged to lead a walk for the Forest of Dean Local History Society around the top of the Plump Hill, near Mitcheldean.
It was on this walk that I met a female descendant of Joseph Ferris of Pope’s Hill who, in 1877, was killed in a tragic mining accident along with a fellow miner named Thomas Gardner.
Both were crushed to death by the falling of a huge stone weighing 15 tons while mining iron ore underground .
John Ferris, Joseph’s sibling, was similarly killed by the falling of a large stone in the same mine, the Westbury Brook Iron Mine, in 1870.
Since the walk I have managed to find out quite a bit more about the fatalities but cannot pass details on to the lady from Westbury as I have lost all contact details that I had. However, I can be contacted by her, if she wishes, on 01594 824343 to pass on the new information.
– Dave Tuffley, Cinderford.