IT is again interesting to read the further rubbish written by J Gardener, purportedly of Tonbridge, in your edition of January 18.  As I said in a previous letter to you, a letter which you chose not to publish, Mr Gardener is either a relative or very closely connected to the trustees of the Angus Buchanan Trust.

As many local Forest people are aware, the bowls club has been established in the Recreation Ground for almost 90 years.  It has provided an activity for thousands of local people to enjoy.  Everything that is within their domain is kept in very good order, as many visitors will testify.

My bets are that the trustees, or the majority of the trustees, have moved to Coleford from other parts of the country and are not local people.  We still do not know how they became trustees, but it would seem they operate what seems to be a closed shop preventing other people from becoming elected.

J. Gardener refers to the many people he has met at the Recreation Ground and the information he has received.  I, too, have walked my dog there and have met a goodly number of people but in my conversations with them have never met anyone with anything derogatory to say about the bowls club. I feel absolutely positive that he is writing just what the trustees want him to say.

The bowls club has spent many thousands of pounds, both on the green and its surrounds and on the construction of the pavilion. J.  Gardener may possibly be correct in saying that the bowls club do not own the pavilion but they were the ones who paid for its construction.

In both of his letters J. Gardener refers to the £75 rent paid by the club, although I understand that it is about twice this sum, albeit still 'derogatory'. 

As he seems to be very much in the know perhaps he could tell us how the rent was arrived at.  Perhaps it is in their lease, the details of which must have been set by the trustees in the past, thus it is the trustees' mistake. 

I feel sure that the bowls club would be prepared to pay a more viable rent.

How often does J. Gardener visit Coleford and at what times of year?  If he goes to the Recreation Ground at any time in the summer he will find many people on the green, quite often in excess of 40.  These are bowls playing members in addition to others who use the club socially or during the winter months playing skittles, amongst other activities.  He will find it very difficult to find many places as busy within Coleford.

I hope that J. Gardener continues to visit the beautiful Forest of Dean.  He will meet all the people from whom he gathers his supposed information.  He will stay with his relatives who are perhaps the trustees.  He can possibly enjoy a cup of tea in the tea rooms, but I am prepared to bet he will be lonely.

A final request.  Can the trustees please identify themselves to the general public and prove to us what wonderful people they are?

– Richard Smith, Lark Rise, Ellwood.