MAY I, through your columns, pay tribute to Mr. Sid Nunn who passed away last month aged 91. 

He was a family man, a stalwart of Lydney council, but more importantly to people of my age (59) he was "Akela". To the uninitiated that is the leader of the cub pack. He began running the cubs in the early 60s with the whole-hearted enthusiasm that he put into everything he did. Word spread and Lydney cubs became so popular that there was a waiting list and eventually there were two packs.

Sid also ran the cubs' football team and qualified as a referee. We were very successful and unbeaten in the Forest.

He had just returned to the area to visit his family and unfortunately became critically ill before I had chance to rekindle our friendship.

There will be many men in their 40s and 50s whose lives had been touched by Akela.

– Clive Allen, Primrose Way, Lydney