The recent world-wide meeting of AGMers (UKAGM) was held in a castle in the
Parish of St.Briavels in the County of Gloucester. The castle belongs to the Youth
Hostel Association and can be hired out by groups. It is located just on the English
side of the border with Wales, 800 feet above the valley of the River Wye, and the
Parish is encircled by Hudnalls Wood on the edge of the Forest of Dean. In Medieval
times St. Briavels was an important center for the smelting of iron ore and the
manufacture of arrow heads. St. Briavels The castle (mainly 12th century) was the administrative center of the Royal Hunting Forest of Dean; the free miners who worked the iron mines gave valuable service to the King as engineers in the armies of those days. The castle was the residence of the constable, who was also the warden of the Forest. The huge entrance gateway was fortified around 1275 to discourage the frequent invasions from the Welsh just across the border :)  Castle Courtyard There was once a great keep on the south side of the castle but this collapsed in the middle of the 18th century. Below the east tower, which flanks the entrance arch, is a dungeon situated below the level of the castle moat whose water then seeped into it. The western tower contained a prison on the first floor and the graffiti cut into the original plaster by 17th century prisoners can still be seen.  Lounge and Chapel buildings The moat (until recent times much deeper) was drained of water in 1864 and is now a park cared for by the voluntary Moat Society. The castle was visited by King John on several occasions and also by other earlier Kings. On our recent visit it was principally used for football and late night 'escapes'! :-)  The Moat Some 67 of us invaded the castle for the week of 7th to 14th August 1996 and proceeded to fill the place with fun and laughter! We have plenty of photographic evidence for you to enjoy! :-) During the week there were many activities undertaken by different groups and the week was topped off with a medieval banquet for all - in fancy dress! :-) |
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Activities: 1 2 3 Banquet: 1 2 3 Aouali keeps an archive of AGMers reports on these big meetings, and you can find out what AGMers had to say about the experience at UKAGM here. |
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