Mitcheldean

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mitcheldean is a small town in the east of the Forest of Dean, in the county of Gloucestershire, England. Mitcheldean had been a thriving community for many centuries due to the town's proximity to iron ore deposits. During the 19th Century the town grew on the back of the brewing industry, while in the 20th Century the town further grew due to the Rank Xerox photocopier factory. This industry significantly declined during the latter part of the 20th Century, and is now only a shadow of its former self.

Today Mitcheldean is significantly less prosperous than it was, but its wealthier past is evident in some of its buildings in the town centre, particularly the Church of Saint Michael.

The town has a secondary school (Dene Magna), which performs consistently well, often doing better than comparable secondary schools in the Forest. The school does not have a sixth form, so year 12 students have to go to either the Royal Forest of Dean College (RFDC) near Coleford, Gloscat in Gloucester, Newent or one of the grammar school-based sixth forms in Gloucester.