FOLLOWING the recent completion of an ambitious 55 miles of greenways within the Forest of Dean, both the project, and the leading lady who instigated it, have been recognised with a major award.

Jenny Carling of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Horse Riders and Carriage Drivers Association. and their Forest Greenways project were recently awarded the prestigious Access Achievement Award by the British Horse Society (BHS), whose Director of Access, Mark Weston, personally presented the award during a visit to the area last month.

The project started in early 2010 when the Association were given £17,000 from the Forest of Dean Local Action Group to create a feasibility study into the improvement of 'green' paths in the areas that could be used by horse riders, walkers, cyclists and, where possible, horse drawn carriages.

This completed, the group then successfully won a further £75,950 from the Local Action Group, and £15,000 from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, enabling them to develop four interconnected routes at Dymock, Huntley, Hope Wood and Blakeney.

In presenting the award, Mark Weston of the BHS said: "The efforts of Jenny and her team have resulted in a lasting legacy for not only today's riders and carriage drivers, but for future generations in the Forest of Dean. The British Horse Society was thrilled to present her with this Achievement Award."

Jenny has now stood down as chair of the group, which is now known as the Forest of Dean Greenway Association, and her place has been taken by Nikki Moore. The group continue their work, and are planning a new multi-user trail to extend the Greenways across the Forest, eventually to connect with trails in Monmouthshire.

Two websites are linked to the project: http://www.fodgreenways.co.uk">www.fodgreenways.co.uk gives information on the green trails that have been created and which are planned, while http://www.deanforestriders.co.uk">www.deanforestriders.co.uk has up to date information about the Association.