MY wife and I have been very regular visitors to the Forest for some 50 years or so and have seen many changes that have taken place during this period.

Many things have disappeared and many new items have been put into place. We have seen the demise of the old railway system with its loading bays and the adjacent footings of the mineral tramways in Marsh Sidings in Parkend, the removal of the last traces of the large railway goods yard and Coleford Junction branch beyond Parkend station and the last traces of iron and tinworks and collieries that were around the area.

Looking back we think the peak of the beauty of the Forest's flora and fauna was at its most apparent between about 1988 and 1990.

The floor of the Forest was generally in a tidy condition even shortly after tree-felling and the old tramway and railway lines had been converted to cycleways.

Cannop Ponds and the lake at Mallards Pike were certainly at their best. The autumn colours both on the ground and the trees also seemed to be more prolific than of late.

Since that time a gradual decline seems to be overtaking the Forest. Man-made attractions have been put in place. So-called art forms in timber such as near Speech House.

No doubt they have been put into place to attract a certain type of tourist who needs more than just the natural forest beauty.

Where felling has occurred – now by contractors – the forest floor in many areas has not been cleared of the small branches and debris.

The depredations of large areas of forest floor by the rapidly growing numbers of wild boar which are not being properly controlled.

The damage to miles of footpath by the passage of bicycles which have upset the drainage pattern thus making some parts unusable at certain times of the year.

Some measure of control can surely be provided here. The traces of the old mineral tramways, the lines of twin-holed stones which held the rails are slowly being overgrown and lost.

Are these historic remains so important that the industrial heritage of the Forest can be forgotten? A good example was the recent cleaning and tidying of the Mushet Dark Hill ironworks.

The ancient forests of our country are some of the most beautiful places to spend time wandering in.

I do accept that a forest is constantly changing in its appearance as a natural progression and it is these natural changes that make it so inviting.

So we plead with Forest citizens to act and help retain the beauty hereabouts and not allow it to decay and become an ugly blot on the landscape.

Although we are now quite elderly we hope that by grace and good fortune we may be able to visit our favourite forest many more times.

– Forest lovers.