FOLLOWING the survey carried out in the Review regarding the return of the sheep, I would like to respond, as requested, regarding the return of mountain bikes. Unlike the sheep, mountain biking is not an ancient pastime. The woods derive no benefit from the activity, whereas the sheep assist in keeping the grass verges down. Having said that, I have no problem with the return of mountain bikes, any more than I have with the return of the sheep.

What is the problem is the control of both.

I believe that any free roaming sheep should be registered and tagged. The gratuities normally paid to Badgers should go to supplying pens for the sheep at night and for cleaning up their mess, as well as policing a new sheep policy which should now be agreed.

As for the mountain bikers, they should be confined to the waymarked route in the Sallowvalets Inclosure, the skills area at Cannop, the cycle track and stone roads only. Forest Enterprise should prosecute any cyclist not conforming to this policy, and it would then be possible to identify those cycling anywhere else in the woods.

In an ideal world this is easily possible except for one fact – namely Forest Enterprise. Unfortunately, in my opinion, certain members of the current staff at Bank House are anti-sheep and pro-mountain biking, giving cyclists all they demand without consideration to other users. While the status quo remains, sheep nor bikers will be policed or the woods maintained in their natural glory, and in less than 20 years the Forest as we know it will no longer exist. – Trevor Payne, Mile End.

Bring 'em back!

We support the return of the sheep all the way, in the Forest and in the fields.

Long may they thrive as they were a part of our Forest heritage. Bring them back. – Mrs B. Watts, Tracey Watts, Wendy Watts.