Bream, Gloucestershire

Infobox UK place
country = England
map_type =
official_name= Bream
latitude = 51.75
longitude = -2.583333
unitary_england= Gloucester
lieutenancy_england= Gloucestershire
post_town= LYDNEY
postcode_area= GL
dial_code= 01452
constituency_westminster=
region = South West England
os_grid_reference= SO5973505912
postcode_district= GL15

Bream (historically known as Breem) is a sizeable village in the Forest of Dean, west Gloucestershire.

History

The actual age of Bream is not known, although there may have been a settlement before the Romans came to Britain. Iron ore was being mined here by Celts before they came, and the miners would most likely have lived near their work, so it is possible that they built shelters close to where they worked.

However, the first dwellings in Bream were recorded in 1452. [http://www.sungreen.co.uk/_Bream/BreamChronology.htm Bream Chronology] ] In 1505, the St. James' church, Bream or St. James chapel as it was then known, was built. The first actual house was established in 1637, later to become The New Inn. As of 1712, the population count of Bream was approximately 300.

In 1822, the church underwent a practical reconstruction. [http://www.sungreen.co.uk/_Bream/BreamChronology.htm Bream Chronology] ] [ [http://www.breamvillage.co.uk/4.html Bream Church history] ]

Today the population of the village has grown to over 3,000, with the new houses that have been built in the last thirty years. [http://www.breamvillage.co.uk/2.html Bream Village] ] Even with this it still has a village atmosphere.

The main employment in the village in the past was coal mining, farming, and forestry. Today with the mines closed, there is very little employment now in the actual village, although there are three garages and several shops. Bream is one of the largest villages in the Forest of Dean District with a population of 2,600 in January 2000. It is just one of a number of settlements which make up the Forest Ring of settlements on the fringes of the statutory Royal Forest. Positioned on the southern edge of the forest core between the towns of Lydney and Coleford, the village is set on a ridge of high ground, falling away on three sides. Development on these slopes is prominent within the surrounding open countryside. [http://www.breamvillage.co.uk/2.html Bream Village] ]

Population

Bream is one of the largest villages within the Forest of Dean, having a population of 2,600 residents as of January 2000. As of 2008, however, the population has grown to over 3,000. [http://www.breamvillage.co.uk/2.html Bream Village] ]

hops, Services & Amenities

Bream has a multitude of shops and services [ Old Photos of the Bream District [http://www.sungreen.co.uk/_Bream/_BreamPage1.htm] ] including a fish and chips shop and take away, a Chinese takeaway, convenience store, funeral director, motoring parts shop, florist, general DIY/gardening store, hairdressing and beauty salon, pet grooming salon, post office, website design [http://www.karllewis.co.uk] , two public houses, two mechanic garages, a farm and pet supplies store, a small arts and crafts store, library, community centre / village hall, Church of England primary school, butchers shop, newsagents, pharmacy, car sales and filling station, stonemason and a furniture shop.

Sporting traditions

Bream also has a rugby union team with rugby pitches and members bar and a local Cricket club, also with pitches and members bar.

References

External links

* [http://www.fweb.org.uk/Dean/towns/bream.htm Information About Bream]
* [http://www.sungreen.co.uk/_Bream/_BreamPage1.htm Old photos and information about Bream]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3679295 photos of Bream and surrounding area on geograph]