The National Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £133,873 to the project in 2023. Since then, the Dean Heritage Centre has added over 3,000 literary objects and documents to its collection. Our amazing local volunteers have taken great care in conserving and cataloguing many items. These include playscripts, draft manuscripts, poems, photographs, letters, notebooks, children’s stories, and artworks. Since November 2024, they have dedicated over 1,000 hours to this project.

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This project brings together a unique collection of material spanning more than 200 years, some written in local dialect, that reflects the landscape, people and places of the Forest of Dean. The literary heritage of the Forest of Dean is an important part of its wider cultural heritage. This new material demonstrates the incredible depth of creative talent that has come out of the Forest of Dean over the years.

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The new collection features unique materials, including:

• Previously unknown poems by ‘Forest Poetess’ Catherine Drew (1784–1867).

• Works by Leonard Clark OBE (1905–1981), a poet, biographer, and literary editor.

• Valerie Grosvenor Myer (1935–2007), known for her academic and biographical writing, wrote a never-before-seen novel.

• A memoir by Fred Boughton (1897-1985), a former collier and farmer, written in Forest dialect with a ‘Queen’s English’ translation.

• Forest Dialect playscripts and artworks by Harry Beddington, a playwright and humourist.

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The project has worked with two local schools, engaging and inspiring young people with the lives and work of local writers.​​ We have also carried out a workshop about the project with Gloucestershire University students.

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To engage with more people and spread the word about the distinctive Forest literary heritage we have showcased the literary works in local libraries and held talks about the collection and local authors. See below for more opportunities to engage with the collection.

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Lists of Works

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Ralph Anstis

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Fred Boughton

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Catherine Drew

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Gladys Duberley

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Valerie Grosvenor Myer

Click here to download a list of documents relating to the MINTEC Players

Click here to download a list of documents relating to the Ruardean Drama Group

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Leonard Clark

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Harry Beddington

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Humphrey Phelps

Click here to download a list of documents relating to Anthony Boden's research on his book about FW Harvey

 

If you would like to enquire about these items, please get in touch.

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Artist in Residence

John Slater has created exciting and engaging works to link the Dean Heritage Centre collection with the FODWC project. He has also worked with local youth groups, inspiring the next generation! 7 wonderful installations across the museum galleries and outside cover Forest history, Catherine Drew, Winifred Foley, Leonard Clark and FW Harvey.

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Engage​

• Article by Dr Jason Griffiths on the project will be in the FODLHS journal The New Regard in October 2026.

• Newly released podcast 'The Life and Times of Catherine Drew' can be found on the Reading the Forest podcast series on various podcast platforms. A fascinating insight into the life and works of Forest poetess Catherine Drew hosted by Jo Durrant and Dr Roger Deeks.

• New book published by Dean Heritage Centre on Catherine Drew 'The Complete Works of Catherine Drew A Forest Poetess' edited by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks available for sale at Dean Heritage Centre shop

• Gloucester Spring History Festival talk and book signing - Meet the editors of new Catherine Drew book on Sat 18th April 3.15-3.45pm at the Scriptorium Buttery at Blackfriars in Gloucester

• Beyond the Books exhibition in Gallery 4 at DHC 16th May to 30th August 2026 showcasing this projects work.

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To view the collection

You can view the Forest of Dean Writers Collection, but please make an appointment first. For questions about the Forest of Dean Writers Collection, contact Nicola Wynn, the Collections Officer, at Nicola@deanheritagecentre.com.