Beyond the Books: Forest of Dean Writers Collection

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

The Beyond the Books exhibition offers a first glimpse into this vast collection of more than 1,000 individual items, alongside selected material from the Centre’s existing Dennis Potter Archive. On display are original handwritten manuscripts and early drafts, notebooks, play scripts and scrapbooks, never-before-seen unpublished poems and novels, and a fascinating range of correspondence and personal objects – from Catherine Drew’s lace cap to Humphrey Phelps’ iconic pipes.

Visitors will also discover an unexpected wealth of artwork. Alongside book cover designs and illustrations are works created by the writers themselves, including dozens of sketches, drawings and paintings by Harry Beddington, revealing a previously little-known side of his creative life. Other highlights include 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 is located in The Old Smithy, next to the Heritage Coffee Shop. As well as exploring the displays, 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 through the rest of the museum links Forest writers’ work with existing displays, including installations inspired by the new collection by recent artist-in-residence John Slater.

Across the two days of the exhibition, the museum will host a programme of readings, talks and performances. Highlights include a lively performance-reading of two of Harry Beddington’s one-act comedies written in Forest dialect (performed by members of The Wesley Players), and Catherine Drew “herself”, portrayed in costume by Mary Dutson, reading newly discovered poems now preserved in the collection.

Admission is free, thanks to the support of National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Dean Heritage Museum Trust (donations towards running costs are very welcome), and the University of Gloucestershire. With heartfelt thanks to the project’s volunteers and to everyone who generously donated material to help create this extraordinary collection.