I AM writing to you concerning a recent letter in your paper written by a Pauline Partridge, and once again it's another petty complaint about the wild boar roaming the Forest. It makes me laugh because of the amount of people also complaining of the boar, most of which I expect say to their friends and family how they can't seem to get away from bikes, hooded louts, other dog walkers and the like, and yet despite all this so called nuisance they still manage to find a little slightly overgrown path completely peaceful and solitary in touch with nature.
Nature? Ha! They don't want nature they want every single living thing eradicated, deer, sheep, boar, grey squirrel, badgers, foxes, even all plant life. I've got a perfect idea for them – have a plain straight path made of wood bought on sale from B and Q and on each side walls made of plaster covered in nature-themed wallpaper.
The reason I'm so irritated by all this is because not so long ago the elusive white stag was killed, probably by some of the cast from Deliverance, the one thing that gave any mystery and magnificence of the woods. But when all hope was lost a miracle comes from out of the blue, wild boar in our woods – great! At last some spectacular creatures surviving and bringing people from all over to try and catch a glimpse.
If people like Pauline keep complaining, the boar will be culled and that will be another thing brought to a sudden and gruesome end. I've actually come into contact with these boar at least three times and not once have I been shaking from my head to my toes. I've actually been so excited to see them. But yes, I will admit once one boar did charge towards me, but that was only because it was protecting its young and I don't suppose it helped to have an incredibly curious border collie. Yet all I had to do was make myself large and shout at it to frighten it away. Might I also add that since the boar have been about not once attack has been reported and to have a report is as likely as me finding the so called black panther grasping its crotch and singing Billie Jean. I suggest that all that is needed is for the Forestry Commission to put up some common sense signposts informing ramblers to be cautious of the wildlife as it should be in most woods. A final bit of advice for the likes of Pauline Partridge – if you don't want to encounter these boar, don't walk in the woods. There's plenty of room in B and Q but I don't think they allow dogs. – Finlay Ward (18).