I have been a Forest of Dean resident for over 40 years and this is the first epistle!
I refer to the increasingly vitriolic correspondence regarding the Angus Buchanan Recreation Field access issue. Obviously things are escalating beyond issues in the public domain but it seems that agencies, who have enjoyed relatively unfettered access feel that they now have a right to extend this.
The Trust have, quite reasonably, prevented others establishing 'rights' by closing access once a year, yet have found themselves having to repair damage caused by what would seem to be commercial activities by users.
The Town Council would seem to be exerting undue pressure on vulnerable trustees yet they would seem to be willing to use residents' finance to do this knowing that the ABT close access once a year specifically to control access.
As a resident, and ratepayer (council tax), I am not impressed and to this end I pledge up to £3,000 to the ABT should they require this.
John Osborne, Angel Field, Coleford.