Park Gutter Colliery by Eric Rice.

Contributor: G Davis

This is a photo taken by myself in April 2023 at the Great Western Railway Museum in Coleford. It features a watercolour painting by Eric Rice and is signed E J Rice 89 (1989) The painting hangs in the Museum – which although small is packed with exhibits, most of them local. It may be a print? or the original painting? The same image also appears on the Bream Heritage Walk.

The photo was taken through glass and is slightly distorted and affected by reflections. The quality of Eric’s work speaks for itself. Imperfections in colours, tones etc. are due poor photography and clumsy editing by myself.

The following was posted on facebook by Harry Hale:

Part of the building next to the road is still standing & in use to this day. The building was dismantled by my father & taken to his plot of land. It was joined to one of the winding engine sheds from Cannop Colliery & rebuilt. It was taken on a Thames Trader lorry belonging to Arnold Cowmeadow of Steam Mills. The buildings was a workshop for Hale & Yemm. The company is still trading & is now Grail Engineering. The company is now 56 years old still using part of Princess Royal & Cannop Colliery.

Harry Hale (from Facebook).

Eric was principal of Lydney School of Art.

In his Autobiography “Across The Yard” by Eric J Rice – 2001 published by The Forest Bookshop Eric wrote:

… Classes in technical subjects and art held in the Town Hall proved so popular, needed more space and a permanent home. A group of influential people met to discuss the problem, the County Education Authority was supportive, so with grants, donations and subscriptions, a penny a week from the wages of the Tin Plate workers, it was possible to go ahead. The Institute was built and opened in 1897. The occasion was marked by exhibitions, trade shows and concerts throughout the week, extra transport was laid on for the large crowds. Such was the appreciation of the people from a wide area. With increased accommodation numbers grew and a secondary school was formed in 1902 superseded by Lydney Grammar School in 1932. A joint body continued to govern the Art School and Grammar School.

Across The Yard” by Eric J Rice – 2001 published by The Forest Bookshop, Coleford.

The Lydney Institute building was demolished in 1993.