Locals are being invited to explore the industrial history of the Forest with a celebration of the 19th century pioneers whose legacy helped shape the area, the Mushet family.

Cinderford-based charity Wyldwood Arts is running a two-day “creative and cultural” celebration of the Forest’s industrial heritage in Coleford next week, which will see a series of events and activities taking place to highlight the achievements of local father-and-son metallurgists, Robert and David Mushet.

Coleford was “at the heart of a revolution” in the production of iron and steel during the first half of the 19th century, largely thanks to the work of the Mushet family.

Wyldwood says their “exciting” programme of events, which has been has been developed in association with Coleford Town Council, Foresters’ Forest and Coleford Library, will explore the significance and impact of the “remarkable” family on the social and economic development of the local area.

The celebration gets underway with a premiere screening of an illustrated audio drama about the family, ‘The Mushets’, at the Studio Cinema on Tuesday (February 22).

The “fascinating” historical drama has been produced by Wyldwood as part of the Foresters’ Forest ‘Community Celebration’ programme, and features a community cast which help “bring the Mushet history to life”.

A description of the production on their website says: “Written by Bristol-based screenwriter Mike Akers and directed by Wyldwood Arts co-founder Rachel Adams, The Mushets is based on the fascinating story of Robert ‘Forester’ Mushet who, working closely with his wife Mary, discovered an industrial invention that changed the shape of global transportation and development.”

The premiere screening will be followed by a Q&A with a panel of cast and crew, hosted by BBC broadcast journalist and podcast producer, Jo Durrant.

Then, on Wednesday (February 23), local author and industrial history enthusiast Dr Cherry Lewis will lead a talk at Coleford Library on the “remarkable” contributions made to the emerging field of geology by David Mushet in the early 1800s.

During the “exclusive” event, Dr Lewis will reveal “the fascinating story of how the industrial, social and physical landscape of the Forest of Dean was shaped by pioneering geological explorations led by the ‘Father of Iron and Steel’.”

In addition, local history expert Ian Standing will be running guided tours of some of Coleford’s most iconic Mushet-related landmarks on both days of the celebration, with a unique literary twist

Alongside the events, a ‘Spotlight on Heritage’ light installation in the town centre will “dazzle and delight” those passing through Coleford on Tuesday.

The clocktower and the ‘Men of Steel’ mural in Mushet Walk will both be lit up, while a montage of historical images will be projected onto the surrounding buildings.

There will also be an exhibition called ‘Our Forest’ over the whole two days at Coleford Library, featuring interactive workshops, the streaming of media and a display of self-portraits created by local school children, which showcase the “scale and diversity of the next generation of Foresters”.

Liz Bell, Company Producer at Wyldwood Arts, said: “This exciting two-day event is not only the culmination of a huge amount of work from local people, communities and organisations, it is also an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary legacy of a family whose contributions to the industrial and social development of the Forest continue to affect us all to this day.”

Tickets for the events are free of charge but must be reserved as spaces are limited.

For event times and to book, go to www.wyldwoodarts.co.uk/mushet.