GET AWAY FROM IT ALL IN THE FOREST OF DEAN

 

Ross and District U3A returned from their summer break to a September meeting with a talk about the versatility of the Forest of Dean, our own local forest.

 

Pete Ralph gave us an enthusiastic exposition of the many facets of enjoying this super area, and it's just on our doorstep.

 

We were treated to a potted history of the people, places and industries of the forest over the years, including farming, hunting, foundry working, mining, woodworking, and charcoal burning.

 

Clearwell caves are an example of human endeavour being former iron mines and even now producing "ochre" which was first mined in the 12th century.

 

The area is endowed with many water features, lakes, meres, pikes, ponds and rivers. People and wildlife take full advantage with rafters, canoeists and even scuba divers vying for space with ducks, geese, swans and their myriad offspring.

 

The forests provide habitat suitable for many wild flowers as well as the trees, and the bluebells are prolific.  There are also more formal gardens to look at, featuring  azaleas and rhododendrons.

 

For those active people who are not water enthusiasts, there is much land based fun - orienteering, cycling, mountain biking, abseiling, rope walking through tree tops,  off-roading mountain boarding, and of course walking, through a maize maze if that is your wont.

 

The animals are in evidence everywhere and some of the more unusual inhabitants are camels and llamas. Birds fill the air, and the peregrine falcons at Symonds Yat are famous nationally.

 

The forest is still looked after by the verderers, who have been meeting since 1208 some 800 years, and they still have the power to deal with miscreants by hanging or whipping!

 

This time of year we are all looking forward to seeing the great autumn colours , so go to visit the forest now - it is a forest for all seasons.