There is some confusion to the validity to the reference of Richard Wilden as tenant of the Miners Rest given in the 1891 petty licensing book. The census of that year gives the age of Richard as being only 14! However, it is likely that Richard shared the same name as his father.

Richard Heath was the owner of the Miners Rest in 1891 when it was trading free of brewery tie. In the next twelve years it came into the ownership of the voracious Arnold, Perrett & Co. Ltd., who were rapidly buying out pubs to add to their increasing number of houses. In 1903 the Miners Rest had an annual rateable value of £12.0s.0d. (unchanged since 1891) and closed at 10 pm. It had beer house status.


Gloucester Citizen, Thursday 20th June 1907 – Gloucestershire Licensing Committee, Coleford District: The Miner’s Rest, Bream Tuffs, West Dean (owners Messrs Arnold Perrett & Co, licensee William Drew. Supt. Griffin said that within a radius of 200 yards there wre 27 inhabited houses. This house was difficult of supervision. Cross-examined by Mr Corner: when the iron mines were opened at Oak Wood he thought the license would be necessary – Other police evidence was given, – Mr Corner intimated that he had several witnesses, but after what the Superintendent had said he should not trouble them with other than trade figures and a memorial from the district. – Evidence was given the tenant and Charles James Wolffe, manager for Arnold Perrett & Co., Lydney, who stated that the trade in beer in 1904 was 223 and a quarter barrels. In 1905 176 and a quarter barrels, and in 1905 170 and three quarters. The decrease in beer was accounred for by the increase in cider.

The Justices’ retired, and on returning the Chairman announced the refusal of the licence of the Miners Rest, Bream Tuffs.




Landlords at the Miners Rest include:

1891 Richard Wilden

1893,1895 William Baker (aged 21 in 1891 census. Also listed as a collier in 1893)

1903 Alfred Harry Phillips

1907 William Drew

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