Coleford Mushet Celebration
22-23 February 2022
Wyldwood Arts presents a two-day celebration of industrial heritage in Coleford, with a focus on the legacy of the Mushet family.
In the first half of the 19th century, Coleford was at the heart of a revolution in the production of iron and steel, largely thanks to the work of father and son metallurgists, David and Robert Mushet.
This exciting programme of creative and cultural events, produced by Wyldwood Arts in association with Coleford Town Council, Foresters’ Forest, and Coleford Library, explores the significance and impact of this remarkable local family on the social and economic development of the Forest of Dean.
Event programme
‘The Mushets’ screening
The Studio Cinema, Coleford
6.30-8pm, Tue 22 Feb
An exclusive premiere of The Mushets, a community audio drama produced by Wyldwood Arts as part of the Foresters’ Forest ‘Community Celebration’ programme. The production will be screened along with accompanying visuals/subtitles and BSL interpretation and will be followed by a Q&A with a panel of cast and crew.
Written by Bristol-based screenwriter Mike Akers and directed by Wyldwood Arts co-founder Rachel Adams, The Mushets is based on the fascinating story of Robert ‘Forester’ Mushet who, working closely with his wife Mary, discovered an industrial invention that changed the shape of global transportation and development. The story is told from the perspective of Lisowna, their eldest daughter, who at 16 years old, took a radically brave and life changing journey to right what she saw as being a huge betrayal on her family.
All ticket-holders will be invited to a private post-screening evening reception at Coleford Library (with refreshments served) from 8-9pm.
Tickets for this event are free, but places are limited so booking is essential.
‘How the Mushets shaped the Forest’ talk
The Library, Coleford
7-9pm, Wed 23 Feb
David Mushet was famous for his ground-breaking experiments on iron and steel, but little is known about his remarkable contributions to the emerging field of geology in the early 1800s. In this exclusive evening event, special guest speaker Dr Cherry Lewis will reveal the fascinating story of how the industrial, social and physical landscape of the Forest of Dean was shaped by pioneering geological explorations led by the ‘Father of Iron and Steel’.
Selected items and archive material, including letters and objects from the ‘Mushet Collection’ held at the Dean Heritage Centre, will be on display throughout the evening. Refreshments will be served and there will be opportunities to meet and chat with other guests while exploring and enjoying the items on display in the library space.
Tickets for this event are free, but places are limited so booking is essential.
About the speaker: Dr Cherry Lewis lived in the Forest for many years, becoming fascinated with its industrial history. She is the author of several books on the history of science and geology.
‘Inspired by Mushet’ walks
Meet at Coleford Library
1-3pm, 22 and 23 Feb
Join local history expert Ian Standing on a guided tour of some of Coleford’s most iconic Mushet-related landmarks - with the opportunity to turn your experience into a poem!
Each walk will be accompanied by a poet to facilitate creative reflection and encourage interpretation of the experience through poetry.
Two walks are available, both start/finish at The Library, Coleford. Please select one of the options to book your ticket.
Tickets for these walks are free, but places are limited so booking is essential.
‘Spotlight on Heritage’ light installation
Coleford Town Centre, 5-9pm, Tue 22 Feb
On the evening of Tuesday 22 February, a fantastic light show on and around the clocktower and Mushet Walk will dazzle and delight those passing through Coleford.
The famous clocktower and the ‘Men of Steel’ mural in Mushet Walk will both be lit up, while a montage of historical images celebrating the social and industrial heritage of the Forest of Dean will be projected onto the surrounding buildings.
This free, public installation will be launched at 5pm on the evening of 22 February and can be viewed until 9pm. There is no need to book - just pop by and enjoy the spectacle!
‘Our Forest’ exhibition
The Lab, Coleford Library, 10am-4pm, 22-23 Feb
Running over the whole two days, this pop-up, multimedia exhibition will feature interactive drop-in workshops and on-demand screening/streaming of podcasts, short films and other media related to the Mushet family and/or produced as part of the Foresters’ Forest project.
A series of images curated through the Wyldwood Arts ‘100 Forest Faces’ project will be on display, including a collection of self-portraits created by Year 6 children from primary schools across the Forest of Dean.
Visitors to the exhibition will have a chance to take part in drop-in audio recording workshops with podcast producer Nikki Ruck, as well as having a go with some of the fantastic tech and kit available at The Lab - including virtual reality headsets and an immersive audio pod!
This exhibition will be hosted in the Innovation Lab at Coleford Library, and will be available to visit free of charge between 10am and 4pm on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd February 2022. It is suitable for all ages and there is no need to book.
