HAVING attended the final meeting of 'The Great Forest Debate,' I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to Dean Forest Voice for providing this excellent forum in which ordinary people can offer their views and opinions. Thanks also to the panel for taking the time to attend.
This is a crucial time in the development and history of Dean and the decisions that are made in the coming years will shape the Forest for generations to come. The development of the former pitheads is an issue that has to be addressed as they are currently struggling for identity. Personally, I would like to see redevelopment of the sites only, with sympathy respect for the heritage and history of the mining buildings. I would certainly not like to see these developments as the thin end of the wedge that ultimately leads to huge tracts of the Forest being torn up to allow further development.
One of the key issues is the economic and environmental damage being done to the Forest by the significant percentage of people of who, through no fault of their own, leave the Forest every day to work (me included). If more jobs could be provided within the Forest this exodus could be reduced with all the benefits that come with it.
I appreciate that this issue is so complex that any letter or comment will provoke a response, however please be aware that this issue is crucial for all Foresters and we owe it to the past and future generations to get it right. If one thing is certain, there is passion and loyalty out there amongst the people of Dean. Graham Morgan and others proved that last week.
Could I just end by distancing myself from the comments made by a Ruardean parish councillor concerning Cinderford. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however I felt ashamed as a resident of Ruardean to know that one of my councillors had said that. It is a time to work together, not divide. I have the highest regard for the people of Cinderford, a town that was instrumental in the past and has a key role to play in the future. – Mike Wilks, Ruardean.