The couple in the photo above are James Brain born 1842 (son of Moses Brain born 1811) and his wife Eliza. James married Eliza Hale in 1864 (both died 1924). Iris added (Sept 2006) " They used to run the 'Bush' pub at Hawsley, Joys Green (there was another name but I always knew it as The Bush) ".
The top photo is an early photo of The Bush with members of the Brain family outside. James and Eliza Brain are on the far right of the photo. The photo was taken before 1924.

Iris continued "Their son Giles born 1869 married Sarah Goode in 1893 at Forest Church, Drybrook. (She is with her older sister Esther in the left hand photo above). Sarah gave birth to 6 children - she died on the day her son Sidney Brain was born - 16th March 1906. Sidney was brought up by his father's brother, William Brain and his wife Francis (Sidney was my father - he died June 1972 aged 66). Sarah Goode was the daughter of George and Mary Goode George was Chairman of the Forest of Dean First Miners Union, the Secretary being Timothy Mountjoy who wrote a book mentioning George Goode A.M.A. 1870's".

The right hand photo shows" Lennard, Ethel and Sidney (Sidney being on the right of the photo) walking down the path at the Bush. Lennard, Ethel and Arthur although cousins were Sidney's 'additional' brothers and sister

"William and Francis, who brought up my father, lived in a cottage either attached to the pub [The Bush] or in the grounds. Francis moved the family down to Central Lydbrook where they lived over a shop almost opposite the Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales had stopped being a pub - pubs were being closed because there was just too many of them. The Brain's family crest is on the fire place surround at the Littledean Guest House. There is a big connection with the Brain's and Littledean Hall"

In October 2006, The Bush is still a pub, but now called "The Masons Arms". It is only open at weekends.
Photo: Geoff Davis