In what the Guardian quotes as being a "humiliating climbdown" [1] the Government has shelved plans to sell off the Forest of Dean. It claims that the consultation process was done in order to get the views of the general public on the giant sell-off of thousands of acres of state-owned woodland, and the fact that over half a million people signed a petition opposing it. It would appear "People Power" is not yet dead and buried. The Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, actually apologised to us all - which was nice of her, but leaves us wondering what she will do next! The Forest of Dean featured heavily in the news as the strength of feeling led to many protest marches along with placards and ribbons being displayed throughout the Forest. A new panel will now be set up to look at public access and biodiversity - so for the time being our Forest is safe!
The HOOF website [2] says that "This is your Victory! This was a campaign that cut across political and social boundaries and united us all in a shared love of our forests and in particular the Forest of Dean."