THREE local men have thrown their hats into the ring in the first election for a Verderer to take place since 2011.

The election begins at 11am on Wednesday, February 15 at Gloucester Cathedral and is organised by the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire and funded by the Forestry Commission.

For 800 years there have been four Verderers elected to protect the ‘vert’ and ‘venison’ tje environment and animals of the Dean in a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Chairman of the Freeminers Association and Hands Off Our Forest (HOOF), Richard Daniels, freeminer and retired mining engineer Spencer Thomas and retired engineer Malcolm Walker, from St Briavels are all standing for the voluntary position.

Under Sheriff Nicholas Tanner said: “The ceremony will be attended by High Sheriff the Rt Hon The Countess Bathurst and will be filmed by the Forestry Commission. Every freeholder in Gloucestershire, outside of Gloucester City, is eligible to vote and the election will take place with a show of hands after each candidate has given a short presentation.

Richard Daniels, chair of the Freeminers Association and Hands Off Our Forest (HOOF) said: “There have been three attempts to sell or dispose of our Forest in the last thirty years. The pressure of development and housing is squeezing our Forest as never before. This is despite legislation that should be protecting it.

“If our Forest is to flourish we must elect Verderers who will protect it for all people, for nature and for forestry. They must have vision for the future whilst appreciating and understanding our heritage and traditions.”

Malcolm Walker says the priority will be keeping the Forest open to the public. He said: “I was brought up playing freely in the fabulous Forest and quarries of Ellwood. I support freedom of our Forest for everyone.”

Spencer Thomas said: “I am a qualified freeminer of 40 years standing, and was the third generation to work in my family business of coal mining, quarrying and ochre extraction throughout the Forest.

“In summary, I am an enthusiast in all matters connected with the Forest, its environs, animals and community both present and future. I hold strong views, particularly on over commercialisation of the Forest, but I am a team player and worker, and I would take particular notice of the views of the Forest community.”

Free transport is being arranged to Gloucester for the ceremony from Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney. To book a place, visit the website www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Verderer.

The vacant position of Verderer was formerly held by Ray Wright, owner of Clearwell Caves and secretary of the Forest of Dean Freeminers Association, who died in 2015.