12 
PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 
1915 
from vandalism, and Mr G. Pavey Smith produced two fragments of what 
was once a conspicuous landmark. When the Club last inspected the stone a 
photographic illustration appeared in the “ Proceedings.”^ 
Mr Richardson said that at the time the Rev. H. G. Nicholls published 
his book on ” The Forest of Dean,” namely, in 1858, there were two menhirs 
in the Forest ; this one near Staunton, and the other ” a large mass of grit- 
stone from nine to ten feet high, standing in a field on the north side of the 
road leading from Bream to St. Briavels, also named ‘ the Long Stone,’ 
but sometimes ‘Cradock Stone.’” The latter — according to G. F. Playne — 
was purposely blown to pieces by gunpowder in 1875, and its fragments 
carted away into an old quarry. The St. Briavel’s ‘‘ Long Stone ” was a 
large block of the sandstone of the district and, according to Rudder, 10 feet 
high, 6 feet broad, and 5 feet thick. Playne has remarked that the St. Briavels 
Long Stone was situated five miles due east of the fine megalithic monument 
at Trelleck, and that the Staunton Long Stone is situated due east of the 
Buckstone, and that “ they may possibly have been set to mark the orienta- 
tion from these ‘‘ Highplaces.” 
Mr Frank Smith pointed out where a face had been carved on the side 
of the Staunton Long Stone (facing the road) by a passing sculptor in 1857, 
but it is almost obliterated now.'* 
In the wood on the right hand side of the Staunton-to-Coleford road, at 
its junction with that to Lower Berry Hill, is situated Robin Hood Pit, one 
of the few iron mines now in work in the Forest. 
After tea at the Speech House the Rev. P. M. C. Johnstone, M.A., 
Cheltenham, was elected a Member of the Club, and R. Adams Brewis, M.D., 
Dursley, and the Rev. J. J. D. Cooke, M.A., Churchdown, were proposed for 
membership. 
The Club is a ” Corresponding Society ” of the British Association, and 
Mr J. W. Gray, F.G.S., was elected to represent the Club at the British Associa- 
tion meeting to be held at Manchester in September. 
The return journey via Westbury-on-Severn, Minsterworth, and Highnam 
proved a delightful finale to a successful excursion, albeit the air was keen 
and suggestive of frost. Scores of orchards were passed, bright with bloom 
and the promise of a heavy crop. A fleeting glimpse was obtained of Mr 
Colchester-Wemyss’ Dutch gardens and the house to which they are attached, 
and admii'ation was kindled by the profusion of lilac, laburnum and chestnut 
bloom in the many gardens and shrubberies situated near the high road, from 
which also were disclosed some of the charms of Sir Hubert Parry’s estate 
at Highnam. 
Those present were Mr W. R. Carles, C.M.G. (Vice-President), Mr L. 
Richardson (Hon. Secretary), Messrs. F. H. Bretherton, O. A. Brown, G. N. 
Bruton, H. T. Brutori, H, W. Bruton, J. D. Crewdson, F. J. Cullis, T. S. 
Ellis, F. Hannam-Clark, J. W. Haines, H. H. Knight, J. W. Skinner, A. J. 
Stephens, G. H. Pavey Smith, A. S. Montgomrey, W. Thompson, Dr. J. 
Middleton Martin, Dr. Dixon, Lieut.-Col. J. C. Duke, etc. [W.T.] 
1 Proc. Cotteswold Nat. F.C., vol. xvi., pt. i (1907), pi. iv., fig. i, and page 34. 
2 See also “ Notes on Staunton Topics ” collected and arranged by Ernest G. Fraser. 1906. 
Privately printed. 
