FOREST TOWN
The village
That grew
Today (2008), Forest Town is a rapidly developing village situated on the busy B6030 between Clipstone and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. One hundred years ago the scenario was very different, the road was little more than a dusty track that wound its way through areas of agriculture, woods and heath land. The occasional farm and cottage was the only sign of habitation, however the landscape was soon to change forever when men and machines moved in and began the search for coal.
The
Bolsover Colliery Company, (a Derbyshire Company) sank the shafts of the Mansfield Colliery in 1904, and coal was reached in May 1905. The colliery was soon being called 'Crown Farm', or 'Crownie', because of its close proximity to a local farm which was named Crown Farm. James Newton, a tenant farmer of the Duke of Portland, lived there with his wife and young children.As the pit shafts were sunk and head stocks erected, accommodation was needed for the miners, and a whole new village was established. Houses that were named 'The Avenues', were built in a grid pattern. A school was erected for the children, along with shops on the main street and a Co-op on Main Avenue. A Workmen's Institute built in 1908 provided facilities for the miners to drink and enjoy sporting or reading pastimes. The music of the Mansfield Colliery Band was often heard playing in the Institute Grounds and taking part in band contests. Sporting events such as cricket, football, and tennis were enjoyed there, and the cycle track held many exciting cycling events.
The Drill Hall, built in 1909, was where both the Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade met. They participated in gymnastic activities, parades and they had a bugle band. Social and drama events for the village community also took place in this hall.
The
religious needs of the miners and their families was an early consideration in this new Nottinghamshire village. The first Anglican Church was a wooden building, erected in 1905, it was know as St David's Mission Church. A number of years later the stone church of St Alban's was built, and the mission church then served as a church hall. The Methodist faith was quickly established in Forest Town when the Primitive Methodist built a chapel schoolroom in 1905 and the Wesleyan Methodists erected a chapel a few years later..
The first people to live in Forest Town came from near and far. They were the pioneers who helped to establish a strong village community, they were united because of the need for coal. The families knew each other it was a close community and they shared both happiness and sorrow. For them all World War One, was a particular challenging time. Many young men left the village to fight for their King and country, some did not return. As the local community watched hundreds of young men leave, they soon became aware of another side of the Great War, as thousands of soldiers moved into the area. The soldiers were billeted and did their training at a newly erected army camp, built on the outskirts of Forest Town. The camp was
Clipstone Camp, and it is in Forest Town that there is still evidence of the camp. Twenty nine soldiers and one nurse from the camp are buried in the churchyard of St Albans Church, they and the people who lay at rest around them are just part of Forest Town's fascinating history.Although
my family and I have lived in Forest Town for over thirty years, my main interest was researching our Family History. In 1992 I became interested in researching and recording the village history. Since then many libraries and archives have been visited and contact has been made with people both near and far (some in Australia and Canada). This has resulted in large collection of photographs, postcards and other documentation which proves of great interest to many people. Additional information is always welcome from people who have a connection with, or knowledge of, either Forest Town, 'Crown Farm Colliery, or Clipstone Camp.PUBLICATIONS
on Forest Town's History
'DISPLAYS & EXHIBITIONS'
on Forest Town's History
Pauline Marples Local Historian