Description
By: Terry Moore-Scott. Publisher : The Minsterworth Community History Project
Following on from his successful History of Minsterworth published in 2006, Terry Moore-Scott has researched and written in more detail about various aspects of the village in his new book A Minsterworth Miscellany. Terry starts by giving us a description of the village during the Victorian period comparing the life of wealthy inhabitants with the working class community. We are introduced to the social life of the local gentry and the lack of the same for the hardworking village folk. It could not have been all hard work though as Terry notes that the locals would have enjoyed drinking in the various cider sheds. The locally produced cider and perry was certainly noted in 1898 when an auction sale ‘amounted to 5,000 gallons of prime quality drink’.
The next chapter gives us a fascinating in depth description of Duni House built c. 1757 which ended its life as The Grange Hotel sadly being demolished in 1965 although the remnants of the old garden wall can still be seen. Later in the book Terry gives us an idea of some of the other buildings in the parish including local shops and many homesteads used by local trade’s people. Old windmills may have been a common sight in Minsterworth and although long gone by the early 19th century early maps still refer to the name ‘windmill’ field.
Continuing his research, Terry explores the history of the ‘Minsterworth embroidery’ which can still be seen hanging in the church today. He reminds us that this ancient chasuble survived the reformation and was even patched with part of an altar cloth from St. Peter’s church in Winchcombe. Like so many other areas of the Forest of Dean, Minsterworth was changed after the Wesley brothers brought Methodism to the area. After meeting for some years in private houses, a small Methodist chapel was built in 1845 at Calcott’s Green lasting until the middle of the 20th century. One of the many illustrations in the book shows a picture of ‘Old Chapel House’ in the 1900s which stands in front of the now vanished Wesleyan chapel.
In another chapter we are reminded of all the personal and natural tragedies which have befallen the village over the years including fires and loss of men during the two world wars. Obviously due to the close proximity of the village to the River Severn flooding has always been a problem from the time of the great 17th century flood to more recent times in 2007 when high water brought severe disruption to the local population. However, the river did provide work in many ways through fishing for salmon and elvers, and boat building was continued right up to the 20th century. There was even a ferry which crossed the River Severn to Elmore Back which was part of Minsterworth parish until 1894.
No story of Minsterworth would be complete without mention of some of the notable people with connections to the village. Terry gives us the whole life stories about an early 20th century Chaxhill lad, named Charlie Trigg who went on to become a famous jockey given the nickname of ‘Hellfire Jack’, and more recently he gives tribute to Bert Prosser the last of the country craftsmen whose family had lived in the village for generations. Bert who died in 1997 was a diverse tradesman and loved by all the community. Then there was Louisa Hawkins who lived at Lower Moorcroft Farm and married Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame, and of course most local people will already know of the link that F.W. (Will) Harvey the poet had with the village. Living for many years at the Redlands, Will Harvey epitomised the Gloucestershire countryside in his poetry and Minsterworth especially when in 1912 he wrote ‘I love old Minsterworth’. He went on to write much poignant poetry during his time in captivity during the First World War.
As with all his books Terry finishes with a comprehensive bibliography, list of references and index which is such a joy to historians. After reading Terry Moore-Scott’s latest book I am sure that you will feel like me that you have a true insight into the life of the Severn-side village of Minsterworth. Averil Kear – Noted local historian and archivist May 2012
