I AM an Australian who decided to swap a hot Aussie summer for a cold Coleford winter, and, having been here for two months of cold, ice, snow and rain, I have certainly not been disappointed.

I have been a great fan of TV series set in small English villages and I was very interested to see if the reality matched my fantasies.

As I wandered around Coleford and talked to the shop keepers, heard the greetings and welcomes, and saw the smiles, I knew that I was in a very caring community and that village life was well and truly alive.

So it was with much pleasure that I saw the ladies of the Country Market were back in action on Friday morning after a well-earned Christmas break.

Standing beneath the clock tower, with a table full of home-baked goods, free range eggs and preserves in front of me, listening to the greetings of customers and their obvious appreciation of the available goods, it was what I thought a village was all about, and once again, I was not disappointed.

So, thanks for the re-assurance Coleford. Miss Marple would be quite at home here.

Lyn Rule

Gorsty Knoll