THE Forest of Dean Orchestra recently put on a bravura performance at the Forest Theatre, generously allowing FANS - Five Acres Not for Sale – which is trying to keep the theatre from threat of closure to reap a collection of £72, for which FANS is immensely grateful.  

That there is so much talent in the Forest, and an orchestra that plays with such energy and beauty is as heart-warming as it is tragic that they had to raise a grant in order to play at their own theatre.

The Forest Theatre is barely used now.   It costs an arm and a leg to perform there, and inevitably bands and performers are going further afield to towns like Ross, who seem to value the arts more.

This letter was in essence a thank you to the orchestra and to the audience's generosity that night, but I can't help but make a plea for support for the future survival of the theatre. Culture enriches our lives beyond measure and we must make a stand.

– Julia Sykes, Vice Chair FANS.