I have read with interest the response of your correspondent Ian Coghlan (Wilton Secondary Modern) to my letter on the pride of English men and English women born and bred in the Forest of Dean (such as myself).

He points out that not all those playing for Berry Hill RFC are 'necessarily Foresters born and bred' and that in the same way not 'everyone who lives in Dublin is Irish and called Paddy' (including me, a Forester born and bred from Central Lydbrook). Of course, Ian Coghlan is right. Rugby clubs are highly sociable places, inclusive and not exclusive, and always willing to accommodate new players from whatever background (although few Old Etonians  have ever put on the famous black and gold of Berry Hill RFC).

The only Berry Hill player I know is Ian Morgan, the son of my cousin Robert Morgan, MBE, the inspiring leader of Lydbrook Band over many years. Admittedly Ian is from Lower Lydbrook, but I am proud of his efforts for Berry Hill RFC, although sorry to see that he was only among the replacements for the match against Cullompton RFC, formidable on their own Devonian turf (red clay, as I recall from many holidays in Dawlish as a young boy). Congratulations to Cullompton RFC  on their 27-20 victory. I wish them well on their visit  to Twickenham to play Tyldesley (Lancashire).

But the spirit of a rugby XV (or XXII) is determined above all by pride in identity. Hence the record of Munster is more formidable than that of Leinster (a brilliant team on its day, and still with a great love of the Leinster blue, so magnificent in the 1970s). As we all know, Munster  is built upon the famous clubs of Limerick (Shannon, Young Munster, Garryowen, Thomond, etc.) and Cork (Con, Dolphin, UCC). I am sure that Berry Hill RFC went to Cullompton proud in their heritage as Foresters and in the famous history of the club.  Perhaps you can tell me how many Foresters were in the team.

But I did not disparage the pride of any Englishman outside the Forest of Dean. I simply said that the pride of Foresters was the equal of that to be found anywhere. I did so because it has been customary to patronise Foresters from the Forest of Dean and to fail to give them their due. Indeed, a story a few weeks ago referred to the locating of Cinderford and Lydney in Wales by some ignoramus. It is time for us to give Foresters their due. We might begin with the heroes of the Imjin River from Ruardean and Cinderford. – Gerald Morgan, Trinity College, Dublin.