I WOULD like to use your medium to pay tribute to a bunch of Lydney folk who rescued us from what could have been a very traumatic experience.

On the way home from our annual Forest caravanning holiday, my wife, grandson and I encountered something truly extraordinary and wonderful when the car engine died in the middle of Lydney town at about 12.30pm.

We were at, perhaps, the busiest junction in Lydney – in the middle of a working rush hour and traffic was, as usual, very heavy with working and tourist traffic.

Not a good time to stop so many busy people getting on with their daily routine.

We thought that we were not going to enjoy the wrath of these busy strangers – they had every reason to be angry.

However, we had miscalculated the public spirited nature and generosity of a number of Lydney folk who just happened to be at that junction when our disaster struck.

In what appeared to be no time at all, a gentleman with a Western Power Landrover offered to tow the car across the busy main road to the safety of a car park while another disconnected the caravan onto the side of the road to ease the massive jam.

While this was happening a lorry driver stationed his vehicle to shield the caravan and another person bravely acted as ‘PC’ on traffic control.

Then without hesitation a local caravan owner very kindly towed the caravan away from the junction to the car park.

This whole operation was orchestrated with true military calmness and precision by a guy known to us as ‘Pete’ (known to his friends as ‘Shaggy Pete’ on account of his hair style).

We are very sorry for the chaos caused on that day, yet sorrier that we didn’t get the names of all the people who responded so generously so we could thank them more warmly – but they know who they are, including the hospitable ladies in The Swan.

The RAC got us on our way, to Devon, about five hours later.

On reflection we believe that we experienced something very comforting and special -the great Lydney spirit.

Thank you all for your kindness.

– Eric and Charmian Cowen and grandson Euan, Devon.