IT WAS good to hear that after so long foot and mouth restrictions will, with luck, be lifted in about four weeks. Hopefully we shall once again see cattle and sheep peacefully grazing the now empty fields.

On the reverse of the coin we shall also be cursed with Forest sheep ranging over the roads and gardens. About the only bright spots in this sadly mismanaged affair has been the ability to go out in the car and leave the gates open until return knowing that the garden will not have been decimated and filth left all over the paths, or being able to drive along the A48 without the risk of some unseen animal wandering across the road into fast or busy traffic.

In times past the ability for people to run a few sheep in the Forest often meant the difference between hunger and a decent meal for poor families. Those days are past and far fewer badgers run ever larger flocks making a useful profit at little cost to themselves and vast cost and annoyance to many other people.

Many of the sheep are neglected and wander round with nasty injuries from traffic, and corpses are frequently left to rot and stink at the roadside. Thanks to constant new house building in the Forest towns and villages the nature of the area has changed much over the last 20 years or so. These householders also have their 'rights' and are entitled to have their property respected.

I remember discussing the problem with the late Charles Laughlin MP back in the 1960s and he said it would be about 30 years before anything would be done. The 30 years are up, so what about it?

If the sheep must be allowed back then they should be under firmer control and their straying areas well defined. Owners of animals found outside these areas should be punished with swingeing fines and perhaps also made to pay compensation for damage caused. – B.C. Baker, Allastone Road, Lydney.