HOOF campaigners are urging everyone to start 2011 on a good foot – by coming in droves to a rally at Speech House Meadow.

On Bank Holiday Monday January 3, singers and speakers will entertain and energise masses of Foresters invited to "come and celebrate OUR Forest... which is NOT FOR SALE".

So far Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Jan Royall of Blaisdon, Ian Wardell from Forestry union Unite and the Bishop of Guildford, who lives in the Dean, are confirmed to give speeches.

HOOF is also hoping to enlist a high-profile environmentalist, alongside local speakers spanning the generations.

HOOF is appealing for representatives from various age groups and concerns, including schoolchildren, teenagers and other young people who want to address the rally.

They can contact HOOF through its website at http://www.handsoffourforest.org">www.handsoffourforest.org or call The Forester on 01594 820605, but should get in touch as soon as possible.

The rally will begin with a musical flourish. Forest of Dean Brass will lead a 500-metre procession from the Speech House Woodland car park on the B4226 road towards Cinderford at 12.30pm.

Musicians lined up to perform acoustic sets so far include Max, Asha Varia-Fare, Ghost of a Dog, Mike Edwards, Bob Smith and Dick Brice, and HOOF is hoping a choir will also perform.

Bob Smith and Dick Brice have confirmed they have written new protest songs against the Forest sell-off.

The rally will probably end at 4pm with a community sing-out. There is expected to be no entry charge (although donations will be welcome) and there will also be a bar.

HOOF chairman Rich Daniels said: "We're grateful to everyone who has offered their support so far, including Peter Hands from Speech House, Forest of Dean Brass and the performers and speakers.

"We would also like to express our regard for Cinderford Town Council, which ran an excellent public meeting last Friday."