MEMBERS of the F.W. Harvey Society followed in the footsteps of the Forest poet in May.

Lots of people came along to visit places of interest to the poet in Yorkley and Pillowell as well as hear interesting facts and accounts.

Steve Cooper and Geoff Davies started the tour at Yorkley Village Hall where the first stop was 'Highview'; which is the old school house where the poet lived for 30 years. The pair gave an interesting account of when the famous poet found himself in court for breaching the 'black out' in 1941. While one of the members, Joyce Baxter contributed pictures and her own recollections.

The walkers followed the road to Lydney that F.W Harvey often followed when he walked to work at Bank House in the town. They then visited a number of sites in Yorkley Wood, before walking down into Pillowell.

Mary James gave the walkers a tour of Pillowell Chapel where they noted the Roll of Honour featuring many of the poet's contemporaries from the First World War.

Next stop was Grove House Cottage, close to the home of his solicitor friend Arthur James, where F.W. Harvey lived when he first moved to the area.

Following a look at Pillowell Woods immortalised in verse in the volume of poems under that title, the party travelled up Stag Hill to the Forest of Dean Brass where they entertained the walkers with 'Forest of Dean' and 'Dambusters' among several pieces.

Chair of Forest of Dean Brass, Gill Phelps said: "We were delighted to welcome the F.W. Harvey Society to our rehearsal. The musical and literary traditions of the Forest are closely linked and brass bands have played in our building since 1903. The walkers heard music played by the band including several young players who are the future of brass music in the area."

Roger Deeks, Chair of the F.W. Harvey Society said: "We are grateful to Steve, Geoff and Joyce who made this an interesting and entertaining walk. As we wandered around we enjoyed seeing the brass band rehearse in the pub. Companionship, music and literature were great treasures to F.W. Harvey and these traditions continue much as they did in his lifetime."