BORN at the Dilke in the snows of '47 and living the first seven years of my life in Cinderford I have always regarded the Forest as my home and have been proud to call myself a Forester! Although I have lived in exile just over the border for most of my life hardly a week has gone by that I have not returned.

Sadly, in the space of a generation the Forest has become a very different place. The sheep which by grazing the verges and open green spaces have done more than anyone to give the Forest its character and charm have been persecuted almost out of existence.

Now the boar have moved in and destroyed most of what remains of the forest's close cropped verges and open spaces.

For generations it has been safe to walk anywhere in the woods at any time of day or night. This is no longer the case. It is not now safe to exercise children or dogs in the woods for fear they may inadvertently provoke an attack by the boar. These are dangerous wild animals, unafraid of man and have no place in the Dean today!

A few minutes internet research will show that the boar are out of control throughout the Northern hemisphere and in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. If Texas with an estimated Boar population of two million and where everyman and his dog owns at least five guns, cannot control them, what hope is there for countries like ours?

Reportedly, France and Germany have given up trying to eliminate these animals and deal only with problem beasts encroaching on human settlements.

Regions of China are reported to be considering the reintroduction of wolf packs as no other natural predator exists. Now there's an idea for the council to promote. Imagine standing on New Fancy viewpoint at dusk on a summer's evening listening to wolves calling to each other across the Forest.

I fail to understand how those charged with looking after the Forest and its inhabitants, human and animal, could allow this situation to develop. The Forestry Commission wrings its hands, The District Council actively promotes the boar and the Verderers are reported to be maintaining a watching brief.

In this age of instant electronic communication these people must be aware of what has happened in other countries. Why would any true Forester be content to allow it to happen here?

Normally I would not advocate the killing of any living creature, and certainly not for sport, but the boar are different. They are affecting peoples lives and livelihoods. I urge the council, the Commission and the Verderers not to listen to those who wish to promote the boar and who will always put a positive spin on anything they do, no matter how bad. Experience elsewhere has shown that the only way to preserve the Dean as a pleasant and safe place for future generations is to eliminate the boar completely now.

Terry Haile

Monmouth