TOMORROW I return to Canada where I have lived for more than 50 years. I will hope to return to Lydney in December 2015/16, possibly my final trip, as age is catching up with me.

I was last here in 2010/11 and reading the letter from Dave Donahue in a recent Review reminded me of a letter I wrote to your paper on the same subject.

Sad to say Lydney is in a sort of time warp.

Nothing seems to have changed. The old Bus Station's still boarded up; no hotel, although there is apparently a motel; Chinese, Indian and a couple of other restaurants, takeaways by the half dozen, Chinese and Indian – such enterprising races of people!

While here I went to the switching-on of the lights at Coleford, Cinderford and Lydney. Such warm festivities in Coleford and Cinderford, then Lydney. Oh dear, even the Forest band playing in the Town Hall looked so dull in grey clothing, not a bit of festive colour – even some red hats would have made a difference!

Then lights. From the Town Hall there are none to past Tesco – those panels strapped to lamp posts are hit or miss, and the tree outside the Co-op – what a waste! Many of the bulbs were not working and only a few on the top of the tree.

Then, as on all my previous visits, I went to Chepstow – wonderful, as usual, lights everywhere, tree lit from the bottom, hotels, restaurants and shops festive and welcoming, shop assistants helpful and very Christmassy with their santa hats. In spite of the weather, days in Chepstow were alive with music, bands, choirs singing, dancers – so great!

I pray the next two years will perhaps bring new life to my home town. The green fields of my youth have gone now, but Lydney could again be the thriving, progressive town it was once – good luck

– Jane Howell, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.