FOREST of Dean F W Harvey enthusiasts are on the trail of "off the cuff" verses composed by the famed late poet and solicitor.

Following the recent discovery of three previously unpublished poems by Harvey made by David Price, landlord of Newnham's Railway Inn, the Harvey Society's Roger Deeks says he is more convinced than ever there are others to be discovered.

A new line of investigation has been opened by Mr Alan Beddis, of Pillowell, who said that in the 1940s competitions for bands and choirs were regularly held at Whitecroft.

Mr Deeks said: "Alan has told me that F. W. Harvey wrote a poem in praise of the Berry's who ran the New Inn and particularly remembered the line about Cliff, the older member of the family, described as the 'Elder-Berry'.

"In his later years Harvey became noted for his ability to compose 'off the cuff' poems for all sorts of events."

•If you know the full 'Berry' poem or any other odes to local people by the poet, contact Roger at The F W Harvey Society on Dean 517053.

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Sitting Beneath a Tree

Sitting beneath a tree

My hand caresseth grass

And the tree and the grass and the flowers

Are kind and comfort me.

Though men I love full well

Far from all men I lie

Enjoying just touch and smell

And the sight of sky.

Amid earth-thrusting beauty

Flowers, grass and trees

Fulfilling destinies

In breeze.

They reach perfection and die

(or so it would seem to be)

In many things worthier

Than You and Me!