A LITTLE model ship built in the Forest by a boy and his father and launched on a requiem voyage following the man's death has completed a remarkable voyage over the Bristol Channel.
And even more remarkable, it fetched up on rocks outside Clevedon, several miles across treacherous waters, only to be picked up by an exiled Forester.
The little craft, launched by an anonymous owner, bore this touching message:
"I built this boat with my dad in the 1960s.
"He has now died and I launched this boat on its final journey on 2.5.99.
"I live in an apple house, in a fishy village, 'twixt the Severn and Wye.
"Happy Sailing."
Mike Matthews, who was born in Cinderford in 1931 and now lives in Weston-super-Mare after moving to Somerset as a lad, discovered the boat and its message three days after the launch date while he was out walking.
He told the Review: "The sails were slightly torn but the boat had survived a 25-mile journey – quite remarkable.
"I assume that the previous owner lives in Bream and wishes to remain anonymous, but I feel sure he must have wondered at some time what had happened to the boat.
"He could go on for years and years with that at the back of his mind, and I really would like him to have news of it to put his mind at rest.
"I am please to say that I have passed it to a model boat club member who is also an experienced yachtsman and who will refurbish it for his grandson. It has gone to a very good home."
Mike still has relatives in Ruardean and tries to visit them at least once a year. Coming back to the Forest is, he says, "like coming home", though he's sad to see some landmarks like Sarah Siddons' House in Lower Lydbrook looking the worst for wear every time he comes.
A member of the local Heart Association – he has suffered three heart attacks himself – he brings members on sightseeing trips to the Forest and always receives the comments that nobody knew such a beautiful place existed so close to big places like Bristol.