I WRITE in support of Mr Owen and in response to the article Making mischief in last week’s Forest Review.

I first met Mr Owen, along with Mr Brian Pearman of Lydney, at a planning inquiry at Coleford.

We were all in attendance opposing development on the east of Lydney.

It is perhaps somewhat surprising, therefore, that Cllr Pearman became chairman of the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan when he was opposed to development in Lydney in the first place.

In retrospect, it appears that this was a case of ‘not in my backyard’.

Unfortunately, a few years ago, Lakeside Avenue experienced serious flooding, the likes of which had never been seen before.

At this time, while others pondered, Mr Owen along with myself, unbeknown to many, were instrumental in arranging the removal of the offending timber which caused the devastation and for the clearance of the site to make it safe for the future.

At that time, several bottles of wine were presented to us by a current serving member of Lydney Town Council in appreciation of our efforts.

Residents must consider themselves grateful for Mr Owens’s actions at that sad time.

For many years, until very recently, Mr Owen has been a regular attendee at both planning and full council meetings of Lydney Town Council.

He probably has a better attendance record that many councillors themselves.

He has been a regular contributor in his pursuit of questions and has often been the target of criticism – so yes he knows what it is like to be criticised, even though he has not been a councillor.

All the aforementioned facts can be ascertained and verified from the minutes of these various meetings.

Of course ‘Onlooker’ with your apparent familiar knowledge of Lydney Town Council procedures, perhaps through feedback and association, there is no need for you to consider becoming a councillor which you have suggested Mr Owen to do.

I take your letter regarding Mr Owen as merely an affront.

– Gordon Blake, Lydney.