RESIDENTS on the Oakdale estate in Lydney have been consolidating their community spirit, by forming a new residents association.

Oakdale Links has been born out of the residents' campaign earlier this year to set up a bus link from the estate into Lydney town centre. That success has led to the formation of the new group, which represents tenants, tenant-owners and home owners.

To further their aims, they have also been awarded three grants, from the Forest of Dean District Council's community grant scheme, Bromford Homes, and a Small Sparks award from the Barnwood Trust.

They have also been forging links with the 'established' Lydney organisations, and this resulted in three members of the Oakdale Links group working on the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan, which will set out plans for the future of the town.

Physical projects are also blossoming – with the setting up of a kitchen garden where residents can grow their own food, and a children's gardening club, Oakdale Diggers.

The organisation is planning an Oakdale Community Day, which is taking place this Saturday, October 19, on The Green. There is to be a 'sharing meal' followed by craft activities, and the day begins with the unveiling of a new notice board for the estate at 11am.

More details are available from their new community website at http://www.oakdalelinks.org.uk">www.oakdalelinks.org.uk