I MUST take issue with your regular correspondent B. C. Baker over the out of hours doctors.  This is not a matter for the district council and is not a new problem.  Twelve years ago we had a need to get the out hours doctor out and she came from Stroud. It is not a political issue but a management issue.

As I am writing I might stick in my two penneth about the parking fees. 

I don't mind paying 20p or 50p when I go to Lydney (or Cinderford and Coleford). Do I spend any less time there? No, because to be frank there is very little in Lydney to browse. 

I've been to Regents Yard a couple of times and frankly it has nothing I need. Lydney at the Newerne end has about five shops I regularly use and there is nothing else to hold my interest. 

It is not parking that's the problem, it's the shops. 

So am I ignoring the local towns altogether and flocking to Monmouth and it's 80p minimum parking? No more than I ever did, but Monmouth has a good range of shops in one place.

– Ian Coghlan.