AS a non-driving oldie living alone in the resultant Ultima Thule of Tidenham, I have relied utterly upon service 73 – The Lydney to Chepstow bus – the area's sole bus, for years. For people like me, its loss must create severe difficulties.

Withdrawal will deny easy access to food shops, medical facilities and other trivia. Those who "don't" might consider some interesting wider impacts.

Unable to get into the county, Stagecoach will lose consequential revenue from my hitherto regular journeys to Coleford and Gloucester (so scoring an own goal in any "bus subsidy game"). One fewer head to count on future "passenger surveys" of such routes, also marginally reduces their profitability and, so, continued security of their services also. Gloucester and the shire will, perforce, lose business, both commercial and cultural. My Forest Rewards Card (which supports its shops), County Library card (for both books and computer access)  and  bus pass all become effectively useless.

Their loss also demonstrates "value" of some local political "initiatives." Hence, being a de facto philanthropic pensioner, my council tax rises remorselessly whilst benefits fall, an ever more questionable "bargain" however much political apologists "spin." Perhaps they, too, will come to "live in interesting times." – Geoff Mead.