INCREASINGLY here in the Forest we are facing privatisation schemes both by local and national government to sell off police stations, educational facilities and public woodlands. Against this background, while officially appointed 'Forest Champion‚ by the district council, it has been an honour to serve the public in this environmental role. Unfortunately, these sell-off schemes are being driven because of the enhanced land values associated with change of usage of nearly 200 acres of Statutory Forest development land and buildings.

My objective, along with public organisations, is simply to maintain the integrity of the Forest of Dean woodlands and to enhance the environment associated with our heritage and culture. I believe one can only progress toward these objectives by being transparent and open and to take no financial gain in the process.

However, increasingly here in the Forest, we are encountering disturbing elements that are beginning to assuage and suppress media coverage. Indeed the majority of county and district councillors are being totally marginalised outside their cabinet systems. The most recent example of this being the media coverage when three local newspapers were only notified of an incident, after the event took place, to remove young homeless people from the Wilderness Educational Centre. The only 'fanaticism' associated with this group at the Wilderness was their enthusiasm to dig the gardens, maintain the chapel walls, develop heritage seed collections and hold public events ready for the return of wildlife centre activities.

However, on Thursday April 19 I responded early in the morning to a call from a distressed lady concerning the eviction of her friends from the Wilderness. I instantly notified the chairman, Rob Garnham, of the Police Authority, of this before setting out to the Wilderness. I had an understanding with Rob and Superintendent Phil Haynes that I was best placed to be present should any eviction take place. This is because I have been working with the group and because one of those concerned is my grandson.

I had previously liaised with the Chief Executive of the Forest of Dean District Council concerning the speciality seed heritage collection the group had accrued for the return of the Wilderness Wildlife Educational Centre. Further, on behalf of the Wilderness Group, I had liaised with Mr Bernie Frasier to supervise these young folk in rebuilding the ancient and adjacent chapel stone wall and infrastructure.

Furthermore, I was aware of the excellent goodwill built up between the WG locally around Mitcheldean, including the local farmer and indeed the local police.

In all this groundwork of understanding, the Leader of the county council, Mark Haw­thorne, was the only exception and his corresponding replies through the leader of the district council and those of his officials in the media were extremely negative and disappointing. They are quoted describing these young folk as merely squatters. We should also note that it is government policy to accord travellers and such groups with their chosen address and therefore Foresters should be treated with equal respect.

Immediately following the call to Rob Garnham, I hurried up to the Wilderness only to find my way blocked by a police sergeant and police van across the road. I requested for him to move the vehicle, but he refused.

I explained that I was the first point contact for the young folk they were evicting and therefore was going about my elected and lawful duty. Next I moved my car a short distance to a lay-by down and opposite a second access road which is about half a mile from the Wilderness.

I then walked up the route to the Wilderness and was immediately met by two police officers. I informed them I wished to walk up the road about my legitimate business and one officer replied that I would not be allowed to do that. He pushed, shoved and wrestled me until his sergeant walked down the road. I asked the constable whatever was he doing and he said that he had been ordered by his sergeant to prevent me from walking up the road.

I reminded them that this was the Forest of Dean and that I was going about my legitimate duty. This can all be verified because the police were videoing everything.

While being interrogated by the assembled officers, I told them their behaviour was disgusting and they and MP Mark Harper and the Gloucestershire County Council should be more concerned about the wholesale privatisation going on around them which included three local police stations. Furthermore, that driving young homeless environmentalists back out into the woodlands is more akin to the jack-boot governance usually found beyond the shores of England.

For the record, this was a well organised paramilitary style action from start to finish and totally unnecessary as the group of environmentalists had already promised they would leave the Wilderness and hand over to the Friends of the Wilderness group.

However, this costly event organised by the county council has driven another nail in a democracy that is being replaced by a level of control and arrogance that I have not previously witnessed in 44 years of local government service.

Finally, I have no animosity toward the young constable who stated that he was merely carrying out orders. Yet, his unwarranted assault on me, a 75-year old man, carried out under the guise of duty, was utterly shameful.

– Andrew Gardiner, Forest Champion.