NOW watch your step! The right to free grazing locally took a twist this week when it was revealed discussions are taking place to allow cattle and horses to be turned out within the Statutory Forest.
It would be nothing new. In years past both grazed freely on greens and open spaces on the edge of towns and in the villages.
Responding to an enquiry from the Review, Commoners' secretary Mr Mick Holder confirmed talks were taking place with the Forestry Commission.
"We are in the early stages of negotiation with the Commission. However it is true that one commoner has expressed an interest in turning out cattle and another has asked if it is possible to turn out horses," he said.
Mr Holder said that both cattle and horses were once commonplace in the Forest.
"In the 1950s cattle were grazed on the edge of Cinderford and ponies were once common enough," he said.
Mr Holder said it appeared there was nothing to stop either horses or cattle being turned out.
"For obvious reasons it may be that ponies and horses would have to be tethered," he said.
Mr Holder would not be drawn on what areas of the Forest the animals would use.
However the Review understands the request for horses to be turned out has been made by a resident near Coleford and the enquiry about turning out cattle has come from a resident near Littledean.
Confirming horses were once commonplace in Cinderford a letter writer to the Review, published four years ago described a small herd that once roamed in the Littledean Hill area.
The writer described the animals as "pretty wily".
"They would lift latches and push with their chests to open gates," she wrote.