Ruardean

Ruardean is a village in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England.

History

The village has been, in times past, an important centre of iron and coal mining, though little evidence remains of this aspect of the village's history. The main historical landmark of the village was a large Norman castle, near to the present site of the parish church, but the castle has since been destroyed. Like much of the surrounding area, Ruardean has historically been relatively poor; the 1831 census records 127 families, with half the population employed in agriculture and 160 people on poor relief.

Today, St. John The Baptist's church, dating from 1111 AD, is the village's centrepiece and main landmark, including a nave, chancel, tower and spire added in the 14th century and a chapel added in 1798. A manor house which once stood in the field behind was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell's troops in the English Civil War.

The church's inhabitants in the 19th century were Reverend John Horlick and his descendents, James and William, who are today known worldwide for their hot malt drink Horlicks. The shed in which they first developed the technique of producing dried milk with malt still stands behind the Malt Shovel public house on the high street. [http://www.fweb.org.uk/dean/towns/ruardean.htm Ruardean - Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire ] ]

A notable event in the town's history occurred in 1889, when two French circus bears were killed locally. The incident caused a long-term feud between the inhabitants of Ruardean and nearby Cinderford, as the initial reporting was inaccurate. Many Cinderford citizens were prosecuted and fined. [ [http://www.fweb.org.uk/dean/towns/ruardbears.htm Ruardean - Who killed the bears ] ] When you visit the Malt Shovel in Ruardean, be a little wary about asking "who killed the bears". It will revive a hundred year old animosity between the villagers of Ruardean and Cinderford..... but we will leave you to find out the whole gory story for yourself.

Ruardean is a small village to the west of Cinderford. Situated on a hillside with views west towards the mountains of South Wales. Little now remains of the village's industrial history, but once it was a centre for iron ore smelting furnaces, forges and coal mines. The Norman castle, now little more than a mound, commanded the shortest route from Gloucester Castle to the Welsh Marches and the Wye Valley.

Education

Ruardean's first school was established in 1774, providing 43 places in 1833. Modern day Ruardean contains one school, the Ruardean Church of England Primary School, with 90 pupils. The nearest secondary school is the Dene Magna Community School in Mitcheldean. There is also a second primary school nearby, in Ruardean Woodside

References

External links

* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3687346 photos of Ruardean and surrounding area on geograph]