I NOTED Paul Stevenson's letter in this week's Review titled getting bo(a)ring, however I think that the following should be of great interest and some alarm to, at the very  least, the residents of Lydney.

Yesterday I witnessed a surreal scene in my own garden at around 8am. The front lawn had been almost totally turned over and there were 6 adult boar with numerous piglets enjoying breakfast on the spring bulbs. You don't need another photo to imagine the mayhem I witnessed!

I was able to chase them off back through the hole in the fence they had created. At 3pm they were back with reinforcements, and this time they were obviously prepared for a standoff with me; I am not easily intimidated especially when I am angry, and eventually I was able to persuade them to return back through the hole in the fence.

This extraordinary encounter did not take place in some remote location in the Forest but 100 metres from Lydney Hospital, close to the Bream Road School, and adjacent to one of the busiest roads in the town. It is clear that there is a substantial breeding colony within a few hundred metres of Lydney town centre and if nothing is done soon, every green space in the town  either public or private will be at risk. Don't think that you are safe behind a garden fence as this is no deterrent to these animals.

Don't bother to call the Forestry Commission as they aren't interested and don't return your calls, so you are on your own.

Finally  a word of advice to motorists. Next time you are speeding into Lydney on the Bream Road, be prepared to meet an angry  elderly man waving a large stick and chasing an even angrier herd of wild boar out of his garden.

You have been warned as you may have an expensive and frightening experience if you fail to take heed of this advice.

– Anthony Midgley, Lydney.