IN our minds there is no doubt – of course the sheep should be in the Forest!
The Royal Forest of Dean without sheep would be like the New Forest without ponies! The sheep are part of the Forest and how empty it has seemed over the last few months without them.
We can understand some of the badgers not having the heart to start again but apart from giving up their rights they would also be changing the whole character of the Forest and more importantly perhaps the habitat for hundreds of other creatures and plants. For those willing to try again we offer our thanks and best wishes!
We would welcome the mountain bikers back but with a big proviso – that they stick to the cycle tracks and leave the Forest footpaths to those on foot. If they were cycling in a town they would be liable to prosecution if they used the pavements as a cycle track and surely the footpaths are the 'pavements of the Forest'?
We can see that they are attractive to cycle along, especially those which are hilly, but after all they are signed with a picture of a walker and not a cycle. Anyone who is able to walk, from a toddler to a senior citizen, should feel able to do so on footpaths without having to scramble out of the way of inconsiderate cyclists! – Richard and Sue Peacock, Hangerberry, Lydbrook.