I am both saddened and angered by the unwarranted attack on my character by Messers Edwards and Norris, in the pretence of responding to my letter in last week's Review.

These 'gentlemen' seem to think that they know me, the area in which I live and where I spent my formative growing up years. They have an advantage over me in this respect as I can honestly say that I do not know either of these 'gentlemen' and would ask where they obtained their information.

While it is very true that my roots began in Gloucester, I have not lived there since I was 17 years of age, leaving home to join the British Forces, with whom I travelled to several areas both in the UK and overseas. I do not intend to give a life history, suffice to say that circumstances brought me to the Forest of Dean in 1998, a place I fell in love with immediately, the people and the area I live in.

I have attended HOOF protests and supported my community by doing volunteer hospital driving, attend Neighbourhood Community Police Panel meetings and genuinely care for where I live and the people who live there. Now if this is trying to influence people into "my way of thinking", so what. If we all had a little more of a caring influence instead of grumbling, groaning and nit-picking, wouldn't this be a much better place.

It is appreciated that there are many people in receipt of Housing and Council benefit, (as quoted in "Inside Housing") most of these people – I agree not all – do so not by choice, but circumstances has put them in a position where they are forced to ask for help to keep a roof over their heads and those of their family.

However, would they not still be doing this if the FoDDC still managed housing? I, fortunately, am not one of those people. I pay full rent, council tax, support charges and service charges, (this comment only to stop anyone jumping to conclusions) so I guess I too am supporting those who do not currently pay charges...is this anyone you know?

– MS Gillian Robins.