I'M writing to tell you of my experience with the wild boar last Tuesday.

I live in Ruspidge. I walk my two dogs three times a day in Abbots­wood. We had been for our first walk at 6.30am and we were on our second walk at around 10.30am.

We had got to the part of the wood where there is a gate along the road from where Bevan's buses had their garage.

We were walking through the trees on a path leading to a main ride. The main park was quite some way away when I saw three boars with their young. Straight away I told my dogs to go back, which they did very quietly. I stood a few seconds thinking which way to go as they walked through the trees. I thought 'we can't go up the path we had just come down' because they were heading that way, so I turned to follow my dogs. I turned again to see where the boars were. They were still walking up through the trees. I just wanted to get away from the area because they frighten me, not just for me but for my dogs. I turned again to go on along the path, then a quick look back and two adult boars were running towards me. I turned to hurry away but I knew I couldn't. The ground in parts is very uneven as a tractor had been there some time ago when trees were being cut down. So I turned to face them with a stick, waved my arms and shouted 'go, go!' and thank God they did. I was so shocked, frightened and shaking from my head to my toes. Even my insides seemed to be shaking. I had to climb up a rough, steep path and climb over some rocks. I didn't put my stick down until we got to the quarry.

I phoned the Forestry office to report it and Sue in the office was so kind and sympathetic when I got so upset. Thank you again Sue. So that's another area I'm too scared to go with my dogs. We used to go over the other side of Ruspidge to run because the paths are longer and wider over that side, but the boar spoilt that for me too. So, Mr Robin Ward, I do respect and love to see wildlife. I love running or walking my dogs. I enjoy the forest. What I don't enjoy is the wildlife running towards me and frightening me so badly. My dogs are good. They enjoy their walks without tearing around and barking madly but it seems the boar have more rights. It would be interesting to see how steady your hands would be on your camera if you had two boars bearing down on you! – Pauline Partridge, Cinderford.