HOW many times in my lifetime has this tricky subject been debated?

In 2026, I will be 100 years old, so I don't expect to be worried about any developments.

Lydney, however, used to be a thriving little town. Policemen by the dozen – now if you see one it's an event. There were lots of bakers, grocers, butchers, fishmongers, chemists, ironmongers, newsagents, shoe shops, dress shops, outfitters – and excellent bus services to almost every town and village in the Forest of Dean – a town band, church choirs, public houses, about 15, now only about five left, a hotel (The Feathers) now demolished. One young man did have the initiative to petition for a Greggs and won – they do sell great varieties of bread, pies, sandwiches, cakes and always have queues in their shop.

Lydney could have become the 'gateway' to the Forest and Wye areas – but apart from a few small independent shops, the three supermarkets take care of everything else. We do, however, have Bathurst Park, the lake, the 13th century church, the docks (still needing help and funds), Dean Forest Railway, excellent sport facilities, rugby, football, cricket, swimming, tennis, bowls and golf.

Lydney appears to have "died the death" and is fast becoming a satellite town for Bristol, Newport, Cardiff, Monmouth, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud – basically because it is cheaper to buy a house here and drive to work in other towns.

With all the 'new build' in Lydney in the next year or so, the influx of people and families, schools, doctors and dentists, will all need to be embraced!

Why is Chepstow so worth visiting – even though the bus service is minimal? This small?Welsh town has so much going for it – you feel the energy when you go there in the shops and restaurants. There are a coffee shop, several restaurants, dress shops, shoe shops, art shop, bakers, greengrocers, florists, antique shops, jewellery, travel agents, WH Smith, Boots, Peacocks, Greggs, Wilk­insons, Herbert Lewis Department store, and, of course, they do have the castle, the museum, the racecourse, bringing in revenue – also Tesco and Co-operative supermarkets.

At Christmas, the main street of Chepstow is so beautifully decorated and has a tree lit from top to bottom, choirs and bands and schoolchildren entertaining throughout the period. Brass plates are inserted in the pavement for history, there are sculptures and plenty of places to sit!

What do the Welsh have that we don't? Perhaps a sense of community, sadly lacking in Lydney except for perhaps a few stalwarts, holding clubs and associations together!

Oh well, I will watch developments, as will many of us 80 plus citizens, over the next few years.

Perhaps when the walkway from town, by the side of the River Lyd to the lake, is finished, it will be something!

– M.V. Russell, Klondyke Avenue, Lydney.