VISITING my relatives in the Forest of Dean has led me to take a great interest in this area.

I became interested in the life of Angus Buchanan when I went to Brecon and saw his medals in the museum. He was a great scholar, sportsman, soldier and hero.

The park dedicated in his memory is a wonderful memorial from the people of Coleford. I don't know of any other VC soldier to have an open space dedicated in his honour.

I am appalled that the Angus Buchanan Trust have been taken to court by a bowls club who are, let's not forget, tenants on the Angus Buchanan grounds. The smear campaign that has been running for 12 months brought sensational headlines founded on inaccuracies.

The charity, in my opinion, have been bullied by the bowls club, your mayor and town council. This is just another example of the underdog being harassed by people who cannot get their own way and use methods which are quite distasteful.

I have read many headlines about accusations thrown at the Angus Buchanan Trust and they contradict one another. This would mean that these accusations come from people who don't really know what is going on.

For instance, I?have heard, when visiting the park which I do quite frequently, comments from park users, dog walkers and the general public, which in my opinion, makes it clear that the bowls club are not the best of tenants – they have not repaired their part of the track in many years, but now I see it is a good path and I have learnt that the Trust has paid for this.

Their rent of £75 a year is quite derogatory in this day. The trees are splendid and have preservation orders on them.

I have seen boy racers skidding in the car park. Why on earth aren't these magnificent gates closed at night? I can't imagine how the residents of Victoria Road put up with the inconvenience of these yobs.

I was told that the last captain (or was he the chairman) of the bowls club left the club soon after he made comments about the Angus Buchanan?Trust.

I walked around the playground and noticed broken glass and rubbish left by inconsiderate people (parents of young children) who should know better. After all, there are bins for this purpose. Someone was clearing up the mess and he showed me the remnants of drug paraphernalia left on the fringes of the big field. This is so dangerous for everyone especially children and dogs.

The new road and new play apparatus looks great and is well used.

I hope the Trust win their court battle.

– J M Gardener, Tonbridge.