In July, A Bream woman appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences, following the execution of a warrant at a property in Drybrook.

Several animals were seized due to concerns over their health and living conditions, with the case resulting in a suspended custodial sentence, financial penalties and an indefinite ban on owning animals.

Elsewhere, Beechenhurst launched a new Feel Good Forest Trail in partnership with WWF. Designed for children aged six to 12 and their families, the all-ability route followed the existing Glade trail and aimed to help visitors connect with nature through playful activities.

The initiative was welcomed as a way of bringing families together while promoting the positive wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors in the Forest.

Hundreds of music fans also descended on Nansfield Farm in Newent for the return of the New Heights Festival.

Spread across two days, the boutique festival once again showcased emerging talent across multiple stages. Highlights included a headline set from The Dunwells.

August continued the theme of community and sustainability. Hartpury University and Hartpury College students were praised after donating unwanted household items and clothing to support National Star’s charity retail team.

The partnership prevented items from going to landfill while raising funds to support young people with complex disabilities, and both organisations said the response from students had been overwhelmingly positive.

In Coleford, The Scarr Bandstand marked a landmark summer with confirmation that work was under way on a long-awaited permanent roof.

The announcement came alongside plans for the venue’s first-ever classical concert, featuring internationally recognised musicians.

Volunteers said years of fundraising and support from councils, charities and local organisations had finally secured the bandstand’s future as a year-round venue for concerts and community events.

Financial stability was also in focus after new figures showed Forest of Dean District Council had maintained a debt figure of zero over the previous 12 months.

At a time when councils across the UK were reporting rising borrowing levels, the authority said careful financial decision-making had helped safeguard services while continuing to prioritise local needs.

In September, Drybrook-based author Sarah Colliver spoke about how writing had become a lifeline while living with M.E., encouraging others to start writing at their own pace.

She also spoke about the inspiration she drew from the Forest of Dean’s landscape and the flexibility that independent authorship allowed during periods of ill health.

On the sporting front, Cinderford Rugby Club opened their league season with a bonus-point victory on their new 3G pitch at the renamed Bell Sports and Rugby Park.

The match marked a significant milestone for the club, with a strong performance earning a convincing win and setting a positive tone for the campaign.

New figures also showed construction work on new homes in the Forest of Dean had doubled in the year to April.

While the increase was welcomed locally, industry leaders and politicians said further action was needed nationally to address planning delays and improve access to affordable mortgages if housebuilding targets were to be met.