Ruardean

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

[edit] 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 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.^[1]

Today, St. John The Baptist's Church, dating from 1111AD, 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.^[1]

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.^[2]

[edit] Education

Ruardean's first school was established in 1774, providing 43 places in 1833. Modern day Ruardean contains one school, the Ruardean C. of E. 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

[edit] References