FOREST poet Mari­gold Pritchard has had a second book of her work published, Forest Leaves, following on the success of her first volume, Forest Gold.

Published by Fineleaf Editions of Pontshill, near Ross, it contains nearly 80 pages of her poems which range from observations of everyday life to humour and sadness.

In an introductory autobiography she notes that she was born at Speech House Cottages in the 1930s, at the depth of the depression.

She suffers from a painful joint condition, Fibromyalgia, and is visually impaired, but says "I feel I can express myself through poetry and I derive great satisfaction when I have finished a poem.

"Some of my poems are from personal experience but others are purely from my imagination.

"My family are very supportive, especially my grandson William who suggests some of the ideas. I lose myself when I am writing and am oblivious of what is going on around me."

She adds: "I still believe our beautiful Forest of Dean is the best place in the world in which to live and I consider it a privilege to have been born a Forester."

Her books are available from the publisher at http://www.fineleaf.co.uk">www.fineleaf.co.uk or via Amazon and also at the Forest Bookshop in Coleford in a few days. She will be signing copies at the bookshop on Saturday, August 1 from 10.30am.