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Bream, Sun Green and Jubilee Pool

Bream, Sun Green and Jubilee Pool (29k)

Although this photo has faded badly, it clearly shows the Jubilee Pool, with Green Cottage beyond.
A retaining bank can be made out on the far side of the pool. This bank was breached to allow the pool to drain leaving an marshy area which was colonised by rushes.
This photo was taken from Sun Tump looking north. The pool was 2-3 feet deep. An article from the Lydney Observer of 1887 describes the background to the land at Sun Green becoming a recreation ground :
"The Jubilee- The Jubilee year will not be allowed to pass in this parish without some permanent commemoration. At a meeting held at Bream Schools on Thursday evening, May 5th (1887) to consider the question of levelling, draining and beautifying Sun Green as a Public Recreation Ground, and of protecting a valuable well (Jubilee Well) upon it was started and met with unanimous approval. This choice was further strengthened at a second and much larger public meeting held in the Schools on Monday evening May 9th. A committee was elected consisting of the following : The Vicar, Rev. H. E. Dandy (Chairman), Mr W. Mullan (Secretary), Messrs. T. Ames, T. Batten, W. Camm, J. Dobbs, J. Hughes, T. Morse, W. Trafford, R. Watkins, T. Watkins, G. Webb, W. Worgan representing the ratepayers and Messrs. A. Jenkins and F. Camm representing the the young men of the parish. Communications have been entered into with the Woods and Forest Office, through Sir James Campbell, Bart. and Mr. Laver was instructed to measure the ground which is bounded on all sides by a high road. It is intended that immediate steps shall be taken to start the work of putting the well in order. At the present the ground is in an unsightly state being but little better than a swamp most of the year and to all appearance like a ploughed field, whilst one part has long been the receptacle for the waste material of the place. It is manifest therefore that it is unfit as it is now for a parish playground. The committee intend it shall soon assume a better aspect and become a useful piece of land and a capital spot for cricket, football, sports, school treats, and other healthful recreations. Subscriptions are earnestly solicited and will be gratefully received by any member of the committee".

Rev. H.E. Dandy subsequently wrote on May 10th 1887 to G Culley Esq of the Office of Woods, Whitehall, London..
"Sir,
I have been directed by a Public Meeting of the inhabitants of Bream to ask you to grant to the people of Bream and Bream's Eaves the use of a piece of waste land called the Sun Green situated on the Western side of the Forest to be drained, levelled and made into a public Recreation Ground as a suitable memorial of the Queen's Jubilee, on the same conditions as you have granted a piece of land to the inhabitants of Cinderford in East Dean. I have laid the matter before Sir James Campbell, and he has referred me in the first place to you.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
H. E. Dandy
Vicar of Bream and Chairman of the Meeting"

On 16th July 1887, George Culley granted permission for the use of the land for the purposes of "cricket, football and recreation". The document went on to state : " I have no objection to you surrounding a wicket-pitch for cricket with a temporary post and chain fence. but should the commoners raise any objection to the enclosure it will have to be removed. The trees on the ground must not be injured. An annual sum of 5/- in acknowledgement of the Crown's rights must be paid on 1st of July of each year during which the permission continues."
Permission was given to three people representing the village :
Rev. H. E. Dandy
Mr. R. Watkins
Mr. W Camm

In 1903 the Rev. George Cass requested that the permission be continued by granting it upon three new representatives :
Rev. George W. Leonard Cass.
William Camm,
Thomas Morse Snr.
The following new condition was added "..the water in the adjoining well is not defiled by persons using the ground". The well in question was the Jubilee Well.

The Jubilee Well was housed within a small building. This building was approx. 8 feet long and 6 feet wide and 5-6 feet high. The dressed forest-stone walls were easy to climb and the concrete roof had a narrow pitch. Inside, the edge of the well was paved with slabs. The low arched entrance faced across the cricket pitch. Local children played many games upon the structure, such as turf-fights and king of the castle. Unfortunately the building was not respected by the people of the village and by the 1930's was filled with rubbish, the well itself being reduced to a muddy pool.. School children would go to the "Jube" to settle their differences after school. The protagonists would arrive and their classmates would gather round to witness the fight. The building was eventually taken down around 1950 and the Bream's monument to queen Victoria's jubilee disappeared.
Below are 2 artists impressions of the building :

An artist's impression of the Jubilee Well (27k)

An artist's impression of the Jubilee Well (31k)

In 1907 Rev Cass again wrote to the Deputy Surveyor and mentioned the subject of building the Institute. The tin institute building was built upon the present site in 1908.


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