MEMBERS of the group formed to protect The Wilderness, the former county council controlled environmental centre near Mitcheldean, have called a meeting to discuss the wider issues surrounding the future of the Forest of Dean.

Kicked off the Wilderness site by a court order, the protesters have invited a wide range of speakers to a meeting to be held at Cinderford's Miners Welfare Hall this Wednesday (7pm).

Before opening the meeting to a discussion on the future of forests, members of the group say they will update people on the situation at the Wilderness – though, on Monday, they were still trying to establish what that was.

A member of the protest group said exactly what was planned was unclear. There was talk of the purchase of the centre by two local businessmen, the establishment of a Community Interest Group and an agreement with The Friends of the Wilderness.

It was hoped, he said, things would become clear by Wednesday evening.

The Cinderford meeting, he said, would

discuss environmental and educational projects around preserving the future of the forest flora and fauna and the community that surrounds it.

He said the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss other eco projects and publicise campaigns that needed the support of the community.