Pillowell Recreation Ground 1921

Yorkley

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Paul Watkins has kindly sent us the following details. This is taken verbatim from an account written by Paul's father, Rex Watkins, as told to him by his Grandfather.

"The detail behind the photograph as related by my Grandfather. During the 1921 General Strike - mainly coalminers striking for better wages and working conditions. During this strike Lord Bledisloe who lived in the Mansion outside Lydney and owned all the land surrounding, gave a piece of land to the inhabitants of Pillowell to create a Recreation Ground. The photograph was taken during the levelling of the ground by the men who were on strike. The "rec" boasted a swing and a see - saw, a football pavilion and boasted a full sized and marked out football field having since fallen foul of vandals. There still is a Pillowell Recreation Ground Committee."

Photo courtesy of Forest Prints (Ian Thomas)