THE letter from "Mr A. Tree" printed last week made entertaining reading, but was of little relevance to real life here in the Forest.

First of all, can I stress that people in the Forest out riding their horses are often not "the privileged," as Mr Tree would like to suppose. Owning a horse involves a lot of very hard work in all weathers at all times of the year. It also costs a great deal, and in our family we work long hours, and go without other things in order to find that money.

As well as two horses, we also have two dogs, which Mr Tree seemed to think relevant to the argument. I am not sure why, but then his letter was rather confusing. There is no-one but ourselves to look after our animals and I believe a survey of riders in the Forest would demonstrate that most riders are in a very similar situation. We are country people leading a country way of life.

A second ludicrous point made by 'Mr Tree' is that visitors to the Forest are unlikely to return, bringing business to the area, should they get their leisure clothing muddy. I really do believe that no-one in their right minds choosing to visit a forest in winter would do so without packing a pair of wellies; it would be akin to visiting Ireland without a waterproof!

One would expect, of course, that local people living in the Forest would be suitably equipped for walking in wet woodlands in winter. As for the leisure clothing getting dirty, today's clothing launders better and we are better equipped to deal with it than at any time in the past. In addition, I have yet to see a child or dog made unhappy by getting a little muddy. It is all part of our woodland scene, is it not?

I was born and raised in Ruspidge, and have ridden in the Forest all of my life. The paths and tracks surrounding Soudley were in inherent part of my upbringing and I know every inch of them so well. I am always absolutely polite, friendly, appreciative and deferential when I am out riding to every other user of the Forest. I give way to, and get out of the way of others in every circumstance. I believe that, with due regard for others, the Forest should be freely available for all to share and enjoy.

I leave home at 7.30am and return at 7.30pm all week, working to earn the privilege to ride at the weekend – that is after I have completed all of the other hard work bits involved! It is very sad that I am unable to ride out of our village on any of the paths that have been available all of my life, and I dread to think what will ensue if we are dictated to by people who have no real understanding of the Forest way of life.

So, 'Mr Tree,' if you would like a wonderfully civilised, mud-free walk in clinical surroundings, might I suggest that you try a park in Gloucester? Might I also suggest that it is not the visitors who are from another planet – look closer to home, 'Mr Tree'! – Sally and Brian Charlton, Soudley.