COLEFORD celebrated the Forest’s links with the latest Star Wars blockbuster with a day of May the Fourth events.

May the Fourth – a play on the famous Star Wars catchphrase ‘May the Force’ – is marked by fans around the world. Puzzlewood near Coleford was a major location for filming of the latest in the series The Force Awakens.

Glen Webb, the manager of Steve Gooch estate agents in Coleford, initially made the suggestion for a May the Fourth celebration to Coleford Town Council.

Last Wednesday, businesses decorated their windows and had Star Wars-themed promotions.

People dressed as characters from the films, there was a parade through the town centre and a special showing of The Force Awakens at the Studio Cinema.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Nick Penny, said: “This is the first time Coleford has done something like but we couldn’t miss the opportunity on the back of Puzzlewood being a major location for Star Wars.

“A huge community of people has come together to make this something special.

“When we introduced the concept to traders in February there was some scepticism but so many traders have got behind the town council and have decorated their windows, come up with themed promotions and dressed up.”

He also thanked Helen O’Kane “for bringing Star Wars to the area.”

He added: “You have boosted the tourism economy of the Forest of Dean massively with your superb location.”

Children from St John’s Church of England Academy and Clearwell Church of England Primary School worked with local artist Vicky Thornton to create costumes for the parade.

A group of Star Wars ‘stormtroopers’ visited the many shops, which had decorated their windows, with the Mayor of Coleford, Cllr Paul Kay and Cllr Penny to decide on the best dressed shopfront.

The winner was Zigzags sewing shop with David Kear Opticians runners-up.

The best costume winner was Claire Lynam of Spa Rituals salon with Bidmead Cook the best dressed team.

The award for best initiative went to Glen Webb for kicking off the idea.

Clearwell Primary School won the class award for best costumes and the individual winner was Kelcee Chatfield of St John’s Academy with Matthew Failey, also of St John’s second and Rhiannon Blayney of Clearwell third.

For more pictures see our Facebook page. Search for theforestreview.