Bream, Sun Green and Jubilee Pool

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 :

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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