New exhibition - Beyond the Books: Forest of Dean Writers Collection

Catherine Drew Spring Poem

Catherine Drew's Night Cap

Fred Boughton Diary Entry

Harry Beddington Footing The Bill

Valerie Grosvenor Myer Portrait

Over the past two years, the Forest of Dean Writers Collection Project has brought together an extraordinary new archive of papers and ephemera celebrating Forest poets and authors. Now housed at the Dean Heritage Centre, this remarkable collection spans almost 200 years of literary life in the Forest and features material relating to Catherine Drew, Leonard Clark, Harry Beddington, Valerie Grosvenor Myer, Humphrey Phelps, Gladys Duberley, Ralph Anstis, and Ian Claridge.

The new Beyond the Books exhibition offers a glimpse into this vast archive of more than 1,000 individual items, alongside selected material from the Centre’s existing Dennis Potter Archive. Visitors will encounter original handwritten manuscripts and early drafts, notebooks, play scripts and scrapbooks, as well as previously unseen unpublished poems and novels. Personal correspondence and objects bring the writers vividly to life – including Catherine Drew’s lace cap and Humphrey Phelps’ instantly recognisable pipes.

Alongside book cover designs and illustrations are artworks created by the writers themselves. Particularly striking are the dozens of sketches, line drawings and paintings by Harry Beddington, revealing an artistic talent that emerged as one of the project’s most exciting discoveries. Also on display are a 1960s portrait of author and academic Valerie Grosvenor Myer, who grew up in Soudley, and illustrations by Gladys Duberley, who once lived in a cottage on the very site of today’s Dean Heritage Centre.

The main exhibition will be hosted in The Old Smithy, next to the Heritage Coffee Shop at the Dean Heritage Centre. As well as exploring the artefacts and learning more about the writers, visitors can try deciphering Leonard Clark’s handwriting, have a go at translating Forest dialect, and watch a series of specially commissioned short films about the writers and the collection. A trail then leads through the wider museum, linking Forest writers’ work with existing displays, including installations inspired by the new Forest of Dean Writers Collection by recent artist-in-residence John Slater.

Across the two days of the exhibition, the museum will also host a programme of readings, talks and performances. Highlights include a performance-reading of two of Harry Beddington’s one-act comedies written in Forest dialect, presented by members of The Wesley Players, and an appearance by poet Catherine Drew 'herself', embodied by Mary Dutson in period costume, reading newly discovered poems now held in the collection.

Entrance to the exhibition is free, thanks to the support of National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is supported by the Dean Heritage Museum Trust and the University of Gloucestershire. Donations are welcome to go towards the museum's expenses. Our thanks also go to the many volunteers involved in the project, and to the generous individuals who donated material to help make this collection possible.

Find out more here