THE DATE of June 30 1949 is written boldly in the history books of the Forest of Dean.

For it is on this day when a disaster which could have cost countless lives was narrowly avoided by the courage of men working at the old Arthur and Edward Colliery at Lydbrook, which was more well known by the name of Waterloo.

Now, exactly 70 years on from that fateful day, an exhibition is being held to recount the heroics of the brave souls and how they narrowly escaped tragedy.

Stephen Carter, whose grandfather Ron was one of the pit deputies who helped the men working their shift to safety, will be displaying photographs and maps at the Hopewell Colliery on Speech House Road from 10.30am until 4pm on Sunday June 30.

FULL FASCINATING STORY IN THIS WEEK’S FORESTER