April saw a strong focus on local talent and grassroots projects. Film lovers gathered at the Palace Cinema in Cinderford for the premiere of The Third Shift, a locally made paranormal thriller directed by Clive Barzillia and Ricky Gunter, marking a proud moment for the area’s independent film scene.

The month also brought positive news for young people in Lydney, after plans to revamp the town’s skatepark gained permitted development status, following months of work behind the scenes.

With the design approved, Lydney Town Council confirmed the project could move into its fundraising phase, and residents were encouraged to support the next steps through volunteering and community fundraising, reflecting strong local backing for the scheme.

Education and skills development were also in the spotlight, as Hartpury University announced the launch of a new Small Animal First Aid course.

Aimed at professionals and pet owners, the course reflected Hartpury’s growing role in supporting the wider animal care sector, offering practical, hands-on training designed to build confidence in emergency situations and improve animal welfare.

May continued the theme of community-focused services, particularly in animal care and transport. In Highnam, a new independent veterinary practice, Orchard View Vets, opened its doors, founded by experienced vets Maddie and Kate.

The launch was marked by an open day attended by TV star Dawn Steele, drawing local residents together and underlining the importance of accessible, personalised veterinary care in rural communities.

Elsewhere, improvements to public transport were welcomed in Cinderford with the launch of a new bus route operated by Newport Bus. Running twice daily on weekdays, the service was described as a step forward for residents who had raised concerns about limited and infrequent bus connections.

The experiences of Lydney resident Richard Wellington were brought to national attention. Living with an incurable brain tumour, Mr Wellington saw his concerns raised in Parliament after writing to Forest of Dean MP Matt Bishop as part of a wider campaign by The Brain Tumour Charity, highlighting the need for greater awareness and support.

June brought warmer weather and with it renewed warnings about the risk of wildfires in the Forest of Dean. Forestry England and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service urged residents and visitors to act responsibly after a small fire narrowly avoided becoming a major incident.

The warnings followed earlier concerns raised by Lydney Town Council about BBQ-related fires and served as a reminder of the vulnerability of the Forest’s woodlands during dry conditions, particularly during busy summer months.

A national newspaper named the Forest of Dean as one of the best places to live in England. The area scored highly across measures including NHS treatment times, school performance, amenities and community spirit, reinforcing what many residents already believed about life in the Forest.

Community action was further celebrated as Forest of Dean District Council praised 1st Royal Forest Scouts for their litter-picking efforts around Pillowell and Yorkley.

Collecting several bags of rubbish, the group was thanked publicly for helping to care for shared spaces and set a positive example for others.