We don't like to keep writing letters to the press, firstly its a bit “look at me” for Councillors but also its usually a negative and not a positive response to something
However , for the second time in a couple of weeks we simply must respond to the current ( at time of writing) leaders of the FODDC article where this time he berates those that dare to ride their push bikes in the Forest.
It's fairly clear that Forestry England is aware that there are some bad apples out there and many people have witnessed some idiotic use of our great and wonderful forest. Let them deal with it.It is their role and they will call on assistance from relevant organisations if they need to.
It doesn't need the council leader to add his pennorth and just like his views on young people is just plain posture politics. He has no idea if the people using the wooded areas contribute to the local economy or not. Perhaps they buy a drink and a sandwich locally, perhaps they don't but the Forest is and always has been for everyone to enjoy.
Very few things in life these days are free or cheap.
A bike ride in the forest can be for some young people their only release and can give people hope and drive.
Has he never heard of Charlie Hatton?
However , coming from someone of the same group that wanted to put all sorts of restrictions on motor cross events a few months back it brings other questions to the fore.
Cllr Birch and his colleagues have so far spent much of the year in the administration telling Foresters what they are against and the list is long
Anti car use in our towns,Anti tourist and visitorAnti travel,Anti businessAnti GrowthAnti national chains,Anti Leisure Centres,Anti development,Anti Ponds,Anti young people considered to be No HopersAnd now Anti woodland cyclists apparently.
Perhaps next it will be walkers or joggers. Perhaps the dangerous park runs with hundreds of runners wearing down the woodland areas with heavy running shoes or the environmentally damaging dog walkers who might allow their dogs off leads and who in turn may move away from the pathway, heaven forbid.
We make light of it but then there's the elephant in the room. How strange when so outspoken on the subject of Forest activity and lecturing all and sundry on the danger and evil of fossil fuels and carbon reduction the Greens never mention freemining, charcoal making or many other forest traditions that mean so much to Forest people.
Cyclists are perhaps an easier target than opening that particular can of ideological worms according to their spin doctor.
There's something going on here that goes a little deeper than people may realise just yet but will in the months or years to come. It's within these articles, within the policies and within the direction of travel .
So we will lay a marker down now, one that we can reference back to in the months and possible years to come and say this:
For generation after generation the Forest of Dean , its woodland areas has been a place of employment , of education , leisure and joy. Other than much despised FE car parking charges it is FREE for the people that use it and use it well and use it properly.
It's a very resilient place. It has survived much.
Those of us that have lived here all our lives and have this place in our blood and in our hearts do not need educating on how to protect it. We sense when it is in danger and rise to protect it.
Restriction on access or use , through the back door, through the front door , through the window or down the chimney will not be accepted whether put forward by national governments, Forestry England or ideological groups hellbent on some hybrid designation that limits access, allows for carbon off setting and rewilding. taking the area back to the middle ages
Sir You may lead the Council , but you do not lead Foresters.