e occupation of stone-quarries within the Forest, was laid before the
Commissioners, pleading in few words for similar rights and customs in
respect of stone-quarries as were claimed in regard of mines. The names
of thirteen quarrymen were attached thereto.

Upon the 9th and three following days of June in the ensuing year (1835)
the Dean Forest Commissioners, at meetings held in London, received
letters from the Bishop of the diocese, from the clergymen of the Forest,
and of the Lea and Flaxley parishes, recommending the parochializing the
Forest for ecclesiastical purposes, either by means of curates with small
chapels, or by dividing the whole into a certain number of distinct
districts severally provided with a church and an incumbent. The
Commissioners reported unanimously in favour of making the Forest
parochial; and for all spiritual purposes they recommended an assignment
of districts to each of the churches already built, as also the erection
of a church and parsonage at Cinderford, with a stipend of 150 pounds
annexed, to which amount the salaries of the three existing ministers
should also be raised. They further recommended the enlargement of the
Lydbrook school-room into a chapel, with 80 pounds stipend to the
clergyman serving it; and they likewise advised forming Viney Hill,
having a population of nearly 800, into a district, or annexing it to
Blakeney, the church there, and minister's salary, being enlarged
accordingly. They also suggested that the 150 persons residing on Pope's
Hill should be united to Flaxley, with 20 pounds added to the clergyman's
stipend; and that the Lea Bailey, with its 100 inhabitants, should be
annexed in the same manner, and under the same conditions, to the Lea
parish.

In the second place, as to the relief of the poor inhabitants of the
Forest, the Commissioners were of opinion that it would be impossible to
raise a fund for this purpose by means of rates on property, as so much
was in the actual occupation of the Crown, or connected with mining, or
the holders being too poor to bear the burthen. They advised, therefore,
that about 1,600 acres of the Forest land should be enclosed and let out
for the purpose of furnishing such a provision, to be dispensed at the
discretion of a Board composed of the constable of St. Briavel's Castle,
the verderers, clergymen, and deputy-surveyor, and the magistrates acting
for the Forest division, and six inhabitants as coadjutors. {122}