WITH all the turmoil of government activities at the moment, highlighted with plans to make us into "big societies," research reveals the Forest of Dean has always been, and will be, a "big society."

Music has always been near to my heart. In this respect there is nothing greater than the numerous choirs and bands throughout the Forest who give so much to maintain the culture of the area. Made up from ordinary folk they give up their time to sing or play an instruments guided by the academics, namely musical directors and accompanists.

Sitting amongst hundreds of choristers in Worcester Cathedral, it gave me profound encouragement to update you with all circumstances not least, of course, the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir of which I am a member.

Over the last five years in particular it has been a thrill to take part in mass singing at a number of cathedrals, including Gloucester and Worceser. The latest occasion was last Saturday when the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir joined forces with Birmingham Icknield, Churchdown, Cradley Gentlemen Songsters, Solihull and Warley MV choirs.

My first early memory is of the 1926 miners' strike coupled with the grinding poverty which existed causing the necessity for soup kitchens. Since then we have reached a relative state of comfort all because of the foresight of Sir Charles Dilke and Sir Stafford Cripps leading up to our wonderful welfare state.

My personal and total admiration goes to musicla director Tracey Gwynne and accompanist Hayley Marangon and Alex Kirk.

I have spent 60 years as a correspondent for local newspapers past and present and I am still very much in circulation with the publishing of my book "My Time?Of Life" in 2088 by Lulu and Co.

– Hubert Evans, Archenfield