Lydney St Mary the Virgin, Gloucestershire

Several generations of Burgums of the "FF" and "VV" family trees lived at Lydney in the Forest of Dean.

Lydney St. Mary the Virgin (picture above) is a large medieval church in the Early English style of architecture. Built of stone, it has a square western tower surmounted by a handsome spire (added in the early 14th century), with a clock and and a peal of 6 bells. It also has a nave, north and south porches and a chancel. It dates from the 13th century, although a church was recorded here in the 12th century and, almost certainly, in the Saxon period. The spire was rebuilt in 1784 and again in 1896.

The church was severely damaged by fire during the Civil War and remained without a roof until the 1660s when a major restoration took place.



Charles Taylor, vicar of Lydney at the time of the 1851 census recorded - "The Children assemble in the Schools Morning and afternoon on Sundays, but many of them live at distant parts of the Parish and only attend Church in the morning... We want £500 to re-pew the Church and we should have double the number in the congregation if you will send us the required... The present pews are awkward double exclusive pews."

There is a boys' and girls' school, educating about 250 children, hitherto supported by Charles Barthurst Esq. There are also places of worship for Baptists, Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists. Here is also a mechanics' institute. Fairs are held on May 4th and November 8th, and a general wool and stock fair on 25th June.

Lydney was once known for its ironworks and tin-plate manufacturing, with nearby forestry, mining and quarrying. Lydney had a canel and railways serving an important harbour on the River Severn.

The three photographs below are-
(1) Lydney Baptist Church
(2) Catholic Church of St Joseph, Lydney
(3) Lydney reformed Church

(1) © Copyright Jonathan Thacker and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.	(2) © Copyright Jaggery and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence	(3) © Copyright Pauline E and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The list below shows the baptisms, Marriages and burials that took place at English Bicknor St Mary.

Name	Date	Residence	BMD	Minister	FT
John Burgum	31 May 1786	Lydney	Burial	Morgan Evans
Rebecca Burcombe	24 Sep 1832	Lydney	Burial	H.C.H. Hawkins
Mary Burgham	08 Feb 1840	Lydney	Burial	Charles Taylor	VV
William Burgham	16 Apr 1841	Lydney	Burial	Frederick Stonhouse (1)	VV
Thomas Burgham	08 Nov 1846	Lydney	Baptism	Charles Taylor (2)	VV
Amelia Burgham	07 Aug 1851	Lydney	Baptism	Charles Field	VV
Edwin Burgham	12 Jan 1853	Lydney	Baptism		VV
Edwin Burgham	23 Feb 1853	Lydney	Burial	Charles Taylor (2)	VV
Elizabeth Burgham	26 Feb 1854	Lydney	Burial	Richard Wright
Elizabeth Burgham	28 Jul 1856	Lydney	Baptism	P=Richard + Elizabeth
Hannah Burgham	02 May 1880	Lydney	Burial	John J. Trollope	VV
Richard Burgham	29 Oct 1887	Lydney	Burial	John J. Trollope	VV
William Burgham	03 Aug 1900	Lydney	Burial	J.C.E. Besant (4)	VV
Edward J. Burgham	02 Dec 1900	Lydney	Baptism	J.C.E. Besant (4)	VV
Edward J. Burgham	24 Dec 1900	Lydney	Burial	H.B. Parker (3)	VV
Edward W. Bargham	31 May 1902	Lydney	Burial	J.C.E. Besant (4)	VV
Elizabeth Burgham	31 Oct 1902	Lydney	Burial	H.B. Parker (3)	VV
Richard W. Burgham	03 Dec 1904	Lydney	Burial	J.C.E. Besant (4)	VV
Jane Burgham	17 Sep 1918	Lydney	Burial	H.B. Parker (3)	VV
Jane Burgham	21 Feb 1920	Lydney	Burial	J.C.E. Besant (4)	VV

(1) Frederick Stonhouse received his B.A. at Oriel College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1840.

(2) Rev. Charles Taylor was vicar of Lydney St Mary from 1838.

(3) H.B. Parker served as curate at Lydney St Mary. He went on the to become vicar of Upleadon, near Newent, in Gloucestershire.

(4) J.C.E. Besant served as vicar of Lydney St Mary for over 35 years. He accepted the living at Lydney in 1893. He was responsible for the repairs to the spire after it was damaged and fell during a gale in 1896. He was also responsible for the oak screen in the chancel and by the installation of new windows. He raised over £10,000 during his tenure. He resigned in September 1927 due to failing health, and moved to Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire with his wife and four daughters. He died in Northhampton Hospital in 1932; he was 81.

Click here for more about Lydney and some of the Burgums and Burghams who lived there.