Exploring in the the Forest of Dean

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Friday started dull and misty (again) despite a forecast of sunshine, so we delayed going out until 10:30 when we headed for the Forest of Dean. Had a bit of a wander along the Sculpture trail before heading to Beechenhurst Lodge for lunch and a coffee.
Beechenhurst Lodge (formerly the site of Speech House Colliery, closed around 1906) is now the ideal base for a family day out, the sculpture trail being only of many family orientated activities you can pursue from here. Very difficult to visualise the area once being an active coal area.


Freckled Dapperling (Lepiota aspera) We had hoped to see more fungi in the forest as well as more Autumn colours, so it was a bit disappointing to find almost no fungi, apart from this one. As for autumn colours, they were not as apparent as at home.


Dor beetle (Geotrupes vernalis) spotted by Rosey. It is a beetle neither of us had photographed before. 


Since 1984 The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust has raised funds to commission artists to celebrate and help us appreciate and understand the life of the forest. 
The Sculpture Trust works in partnership with the Forestry Commission which maintains the sculptures and trail. 
The sculptures are mostly constructed from natural material from the Dean - wood, stone and iron. They are interspersed along the trail through majestic oaks and towering Scots pine trees 


IRON ROAD by Keir Smith 1986.Twenty carved jarrah wood railway sleepers remind us of the train line that used to run through the forest carrying coal and iron. Each sleeper illustrates an aspect of the forest, from smelting to writing, charcoal to hunting. 


The Speech House was the administrative building of the Forest of Dean. The building was originally constructed as a hunting lodge for Charles II and the Speech House was authorised by the Act of 1668 as part of a reorganisation of the open land in the area, and its construction was finished in 1682] It hosted the "Court of the Speech", a sort of parliament for the Verderers and Free Miners managing the forest, game, and mineral resources of the area. 
It was severely damaged in the Revolution of 1688, but repaired soon thereafter. Around 1840 it began to be used as an inn, and by the late 19th century it was functioning as a hotel, which (as of 2013) it continues to do. 
I must confess that I had to Google the word `Verdeers` and the answer was "Verderers are officials in Britain who deal with Common land in certain former royal hunting areas which are the property of The Crown. The office was developed in the Middle Ages to administer Forest Law on behalf of the King. Verderers investigated and recorded minor offences such as the taking of venison and the illegal cutting of woodland, and dealt with the day-to-day forest administration. In the modern era verderers are still to be found in the New Forest, the Forest of Dean, and Epping Forest, where they serve to protect commoning practices, and conserve the traditional landscape and wildlife." 
So, something learnt! 


A small painted stone found in the forest on this stone marker. I was tempted to bring it home, but I decided against it. 


The stone marker was inscribed to commemorate the loyal service of Deputy Surveyor R G Sanzen-Baker. 
A short walk back to the car by which time it was getting very dull, so back to Monmouth, a bit of shopping before heading home for packing and cleanup, as tomorrow we head back to Suffolk 
Location: Speech House Rd, United Kingdom

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