Who is runner Jinny Goulding, who inserted the letter entitled Parochial views in last week’s Review?

Having scanned the informative list on the Lydney park run website, containing 535 names of entrants and personally spoken to runners no one knows the name.

Methinks ‘I smell a rat’ and despite stated as a fallacy, yes there are definitely rats at Lydney Lake and there is photographic evidence available as proof.

It, therefore, appears, without explanation, that Jinny is possibly writing with an assumed name.

With her Specsavers’ (not rose-tinted) glasses – and being able to watch “the bats swoop over the bug hotels”, with no lighting in the area – the statement: “I believe there used to be parking” is amazing.

Having visited the Lake for the past year at least three times a week, every week, surely Jinny, with this exceptional vision, must have noticed the demolition of the car park in May this year?

She must have also witnessed the destruction of the natural habitat along the bank adjacent to the bypass, which certainly attracted wildlife, as well as the overhanging trees and hedgerows of the demolished car park.

The latter actually destroyed birds’ nests, which is a criminal offence, as pointed out to Trustee Greenwood of the Green Party.

Bug hotels are specially designed, with roofs, to attract insects and the likes, not dead branches, ideal for nesting rats, stacked on each other to produce the looks of a funeral pyre, which is a fire hazard to neighbouring properties.

They certainly do not attract bats who feed on moths and the like.

These pyres have been constructed near the road and are low, an ideal environment for the natural predators: the local cats.

Jinny must also have witnessed the blocking up of residents’ entrances – they certainly   are not delighted to have a flowerbed adjacent.

The stunning display of wildflowers is now an eyesore exposing docks, nettles, bare patches and litter among the dead flowers. 

The residents feel extremely sorry for the angling club, who only signed a new lease a few years ago.

The anglers, from near and far, used to enjoy the use of the 50-year-old car park, which was not only convenient to their headquarters but adjacent to the Lake.

The substitute inconvenient car park is ‘miles away’ for them to carry their substantial, necessary equipment. 

This also applies to the many regulars and visitors, especially the elderly, who, prior to the demolition of the car park, were able to sit in their cars, have a cup of tea etc, particularly in winter and enjoy the activities and view at the ‘busy end’ of the lake.

This denial appears to be bordering on discrimination.

The initial cost of the demolition of the car park and construction of the garden cost thousands – £15,000 was transferred to Lydney Recreation Trust from Lydney Town Council.

In addition there is the supposed installation and ongoing costs of CCTV cameras, regular visits by grounds staff and highly salaried employees – even police patrols have been arranged to guard this ‘precious site’. and the ongoing legal fees concerning the issue of blocked entrances.

All of this, of course, is being paid for by the electorate – is this value for money?

Living by the Lake I have talked to hundreds of people who do not agree with your “newcomer’s” views whatsoever, Jinny.

They all want the car park reinstated. Of course, any future decisions will be the ultimate and sole responsibility of the trustees, who cannot seem to understand how they are being ill-advised.

Lydney Town Council is desperately looking for three councillors to make up its complement.

I suggest, Jinny, with your views, you would be a suitable candidate.

– Gordon Blake, Lydney.