Review by Laura Jones on 17th May, 2009

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It would do us no harm to take a leaf out of Robin Morgan’s book and reuse and recycle in the way he has done in order to open Hopewell Colliery as a working mine. His Heath Robinson approach was extraordinarily inventive, using a giant secondhand steam boiler as a tunnel into the mine, reusing rails and telegraph poles all measured and calculated exactly by this clever man, one of the few remaining Forest Freeminers. His anecdotal style as a guide is amusing and informative, he has an incredible store of mining and geological knowledge. The Open University Geological Society group I went with were amazed when he casually picked up a fossilised Lepidodendron trunk from the side of the shaft and showed them this beautiful 3 hundred million year old object. The limitations of working at depth underground with little mechanical assistance and the only light provided by your headlamp, speak of the sheer physical labour and determination required by a Forest Miner in difficult and dangerous conditions. Robin’s safety precaution against carbon dioxide build up was to take a lighted candle at all times, if the candle went out, get out fast! His lovely story of his son’s face to face encounter with the otter made us all long to see one of these wonderful creatures. When we came to the fresh water stream draining from the mine we were astonished at the volume and clarity of the water as we exited through a perfect stone tunnel, like a Basilsk’s lair in a Harry Potter book. Then there was light at the end of the tunnel and we were out through the barred gate into the beautiful leafy Forest of Dean. There is a car park, toilets, shop and a cafe with home made cakes at the mine. Hard hats with lamps are provided to be worn underground. It can be chilly so wear warm clothes and stout shoes or boots. Phone to book your visit. Laura Jones

Date visited: 2nd May 2009