THE ancient Celtic festival of Lunasagh is one of the topics under discussion at the July meeting of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Earth Mysteries Group. The meeting, which is to take place at the Courtfield Arms, Lower Lydbrook, is on Thursday July 5, starts at 7.30 – and admission is free.

The Earth Mysteries Group recently celebrated ten years in existence, and usually meets on the first Thursday of each month, but as usual, there will be no meeting in August.

The next meeting will be on Thursday September 6, when they hope to feature a 'prominent local author' who is due to publish a new book on the hauntings of the dean in the next few weeks: but whose identity is being kept under wraps. Further details are available on 0776 531 4223.

•The Earth Mysteries Group is presented by the Wyedean Pagan and Wiccan Society, whose Chairman, Tim Oakes, has been selected for the third year running to represent Pagans at the Interfaith Ordination Ceremony in London later this month. Tim commented: "The Interfaith organisation is an international body that brings together people of all faiths. They train Interfaith clergy, on a course that takes two years and which culminates in a dazzling ceremony to ordain the candidates. It is an absolute honour for me to attend."