Review of the year - your top Forester stories of 2022, Part 2

LOCALS expressed dismay at the potential loss of Cannop Ponds due to the condition of its ageing dams following an announcement in July.

Forestry England (FE) announced that options for the future of the ponds - which were created in the early 1800s to supply water for industry - were being explored after “significant engineering issues” were identified.

A statement said inspections highlighted the need to “make provision for managing future increased water volumes” from more intense storms and increasing flood events caused by climate change.

FE said the options are to repair the dams or remove them completely, to return the valley “back to its natural form”.

It says the option to restore the Cannop valley is being considered as the “re-naturalising” of the site could create “exciting opportunities to do better for our flora and fauna”. 

Some locals initially supported the move but many did not, including the Yorkley and District Angling Club, which were told their lease of the ponds would be terminated following the announcement.

A campaign to save the ponds was established soon after. 

The Save Cannop Ponds group have protested against the dams’ removal several times since, both at the ponds and at the FE offices in Coleford, where they were met by Deputy Surveyor for the Forest, Kevin Stannard.

The campaign has also received the backing of Forest MP Mark Harper and local councillors.

FE said no decision would be made until after the new year.

LOCAL businessman Graham Wildin was jailed in August for refusing to tear down the leisure centre he built in his back garden without planning permission.

Millionaire Mr Wildin was sentenced to six weeks in prison for failing to comply with a court order issued in June 2021 after illegally building the ‘sanctuary’ at his home in Cinderford. 

It came as a result of him installing a bowling alley, cinema, squash courts, private casino and bar in the plush extension eight years ago without planning permission. 

A lengthy legal fight followed ending with a High Court judge handing down an injunction in 2018, and Wildin was initially given until the end of April 2020 to remove the 10,000sq/ft complex.

Last year, the Court of Appeal rejected his bid to quash a suspended prison sentence given for not removing the structure.

The court also set a deadline of March 10, 2022 to demolish it or warned him he would be jailed.

Prior to his imprisonment, neighbours had been outraged at not being able to park their cars in the street, after Wildin decided to park his collection of classic cars outside his home because of the council order.

He served half of his prison sentence and was given 18 weeks from his release to soft strip the complex. The deadline to do so is this month.

He has also appealed against the judge’s decision to send him to prison, which is due to be heard in court on March 1.

PEOPLE across the Forest shared their deepest condolences with the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September.

The announcement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday, September 8 triggered an outpouring of tributes, as people across the nation paid their respects to the extraordinary life and legacy of Britain’s longest serving monarch.

As well as formal ceremonies held by town, district and county authorities, silences were also observed at community events and sports matches throughout the Forest. 

District council Chair Julia Gooch led the main proclamation at the council offices in Coleford, in the presence of Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Mrs Dee Russell-Thomas. 

Flags were flown at half mast, books of condolences were opened and flowers and other tributes were placed at town landmarks. 

There was a particularly poignant moment that week for a Forest primary school, who received a letter from Buckingham Palace thanking them for Jubilee artwork they created earlier in the year - the day after Her Majesty’s death. 

Children and staff at Pauntley Primary School near Newent had mixed emotions upon receiving the letter from the Queen’s Lady in Waiting Richenda Elton, which said that Her Majesty wished to thank them for sending in “splendid” photographs of their Andy Warhol-inspired artwork.

Communities in the Forest faced being left without any public transport this winter after Stagecoach announced it was cutting six local bus services. 

Councillors said they were “dismayed” and “horrified” by the announcement in October, which prompted an outcry of concern about the impact on jobs, education and vulnerable people in the district. 

Gloucestershire County Council criticised Stagecoach for the withdrawal and said finding replacement providers would be “far from easy”.

And while replacements were found for several of the routes, including for a key service between Chepstow and Lydney, some of the lost routes could not be saved, and the county council has been promoting alternative options, such as its community bus service The Robin, in their stead.

Elsewhere, Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper was appointed Secretary of State for Transport by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, marking a return to the cabinet after a six-year absence. 

He has since found himself embroiled in a row over pay and working conditions for rail workers with the RMT Union, with industrial action having taken place over Christmas and further strikes planned in January.

CAMPAIGNERS who formed a community group more than four years ago to try and save the George Cafe in Newnham celebrated a major milestone in November after finally buying the building for the village. 

The purchase was completed with the support of more than 200 local shareholders, and works are now underway to convert it into a thriving village hub with a café, bakery, business centre and rooms for hire by local groups.

Plans are also being made for a range of cultural events to be held in the upstairs gallery and performance space. 

Meanwhile, the success of another community campaign was celebrated at the re-opening of The Rising Sun in Woodcroft. 

Locals led the 10-year campaign to save the village pub from being converted into apartments, which saw hundreds of thousands of pounds raised by nearly 250 individuals and groups of friends. 

The campaign was supported by Forest MP Mark Harper, who attended the re-opening along with dozens of local people. 

At the launch event, a ribbon was cut by the Chair of the Save Our Sun committee, Dr Michelle Hayes, who is a GP at Yorkley.

As well as a traditional pub, the plan is to make the Rising Sun a community hub offering a place for local people and groups to meet.

LAST month saw Foresters bring in the festive season in style at a host of community events and activities throughout the district. 

Celebrations included pantos in Lydney and Cinderford and nativities at local primary schools including Parkend and Yorkley. 

A carol concert featuring Lydney Town Band was well attended at Bathurst Park bandstand pre-Christmas, as was Chepstow Male Voice Choir’s concert featuring Cinderford Band.

December also saw a lucky Forest resident finally put in a claim for a £1 million lottery prize.

The search for a £1 million winning Lotto ticket - matching five main numbers and the Bonus Ball - began in November, with the National Lottery appealing to the community to help unite the lucky ticket holder with their prize. 

After the claim was put in on December  5, the process of validating the ticket began, while it was left to the winners to decide whether they wanted to go public with their life-changing news.