Mitcheldean

Mitcheldean
Gloucestershire
St Michael and All Angels, Mitcheldeam
Location
Grid reference:	SO663185
Location:	51°51’53"N, 2°29’25"W
Data
Local Government
Council:	Forest of Dean District
Parliamentary constituency:	Forest of Dean

Mitcheldean is a small town in the east of the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. It wealthy tradition, derived from iron mines and brewing, is evident in some of its buildings in the town centre.

There are several shops in the centre of the town, including a post office, a new, larger supermarket, a butcher, a greengrocer, a hairdresser, a pharmacy, a florist and several fast food outlets serving Chinese food, fish and chips, and pizza. There are also a library, a surgery, a town hall and three pubs, although the George Inn is currently closed.

Church of St Michael

Monumental brass in St Michael’s

The parish church is St Michael in the heart of the town. The size of the church shows the wealth which once belonged to this little place.

St Michael’s contains an interesting monumental brass in remembrance of the wives of Sir Thomas Baynham (d.1499/1500)

History

Mitcheldean was a thriving community for many centuries due to the town's proximity to iron ore deposits. During the 19th century, the town grew due to revenues produced by the local brewing industry, while in the 20th century the town grew further due to the Rank Xerox photocopier factory. Although this industry significantly declined during the latter half of the 20th century, much of the former Rank Xerox site (now Vantage Point Business Village) is now occupied by small businesses, new manufacturing and distribution businesses.

Housing developments

A new housing estate was completed in 2008 and construction of a second estate is due to be finished in spring 2015.

Sport

Football: the club has Two Senior men's Team, also a ladies' team and several youth teams.

The club currently runs Two teams in the North Gloucester Football League.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Mitcheldean)

• Mitcheldean
• Pictures of Mitcheldean and the area on Geograph.co.uk
• Mitcheldean Soap
• The Churches of St. Michael and All Angels, Mitcheldean; St. Michael, Abenhall ; and St. AEthelbert, Little Dean, by J. H. Middleton. Published in: Transactions of the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, Vol.6, 1881-2, pp.269-279