FOLLOWING a recent public meeting a new organisation calling itself 'Dean Forest Voice' has set up a provisional steering group in the Forest. Further public meetings will be held when the foot and mouth is over and at that time the group structure will be reassessed and strengthened. Meanwhile anyone interested in getting involved now is welcome to the next group meeting at The Miners Hall, Cinderford, on April 6.
The group's main objective is: To promote and maintain the 'Vurester' identity, enhance pride and culture and in connection with this, work towards creating a powerful voice capable of being heard and taken account of, particularly at all levels of government and other administrative organisations involved in the Forest.
While the group wishes to include people who have integrated into the Forest culture and become 'Foresters at Heart' it is emphasised that the intention is to build up an organisation for those whose voices have not recently been heard and we would ask existing interest and pressure groups to respect this.
It is hoped to set up a Forest-wide network of people from every community to act as a catalyst to promote the objective within their own locality and we would urge anyone interested to get in touch as soon as possible.
The group's immediate projects are to: commence a campaign to re-establish the right to be born in the Forest, and an exercise to put 'uniqueness' into words. Look out for further announcements. – Mike Jones, Redbrook.