FEARS have been expressed over the future of Chestnuts Woods between Littledean and Flaxley.

The Friends of Chestnuts Woods will be holding its annual general meeting tomorrow (November 13) in Flaxley School Rooms at 7.30pm. Top of the agenda will be the mystery that surrounds the recent felling marks it is claimed that the Forestry Commission has placed on many of the iconic oak trees, planted during the Napoleonic era.

A spokesman for the Friends said: "Friends of Chestnuts Woods have received numerous enquiries about the marking of over 300 Napoleonic oaks in Chestnuts Woods on Popes Hill side, just above the main road to Littledean.

"We were informed by the Forestry Commission that the tariff squad were instructed to carry out some marking and measuring of trees in the area to give an indication of the thinning volume that could be generated as part of a thinning operation, as and when this can be carried out, but there are no plans to do so immediately. The Forestry Commission said that it wanted to get an idea of what is there and that operations are still on hold pending advice from Forest Research."

They added: "There is an uncertain future for Chestnuts Woods as it is not known when and whether the Forestry Commission will fell the trees. All are invited to the Friends of Chestnuts Woods AGM where this proposal for Chestnuts Wood will be discussed and everyone will be invited to put forward their views. "

Jackie Fraser, Chair of Friends of Chestnuts Woods, said, "These are the very same Napoleonic Oaks which led to the formation of Friends of Chestnuts Woods 25 years ago when a similar proposal came forward to fell them. I find it difficult to believe that we are being faced with this situation again."

Nobody from the Forestry Commission was available to comment when the Review went to press.