FORESTERS have met up in some unusual places – remember our story of the two who ended up side by side in a Japanese prisoner of war camp? – and here is another example of a happy coincidence.

Keith Merrington, born at Sling, near Coleford, and Andy Thomas, born in Lydney, both joined the Metropolitan Police in 1976.

But they were blissfully unaware of each other until recently when they ended up standing next to each other on a police dog training course.

Both are Met police dog handlers, Keith working in South West London and Andy in North East London. They are, of course, now firm friends.

Keith, who went to Ellwood School, moved to Bristol as a teenager and before joining the Met. He is married with three daughters.

Andy lived at Alvington and went to school in Lydney. He moved to Gloucester at the age of 16 before becoming a police cadet in London.

Years ago there used to be a Forest of Dean Society in London. Does it still exist?