Virtual Noticeboard

We’re excited to invite you to a Stakeholder Implementation Session to help bring theForest of Dean LGBTQIA+ Community Climate Action Plan to life.

The plan was co-created with LGBTQIA+ residents in the Forest of Dean to address the real challenges they face, from transportation and housing to healthcare and safety, all of which are made harder by climate change. Working with the Climate and Communities team at the Forest of Dean District Council, the plan is built on months of workshops, research, and lived experience, and it offers practical actions to make the Forest of Dean more inclusive, resilient, and connected.

Climate action should work for everyone. That means making sure LGBTQIA+ voices are part of the Forest of Dean’s journey to Net Zero and beyond.

At this session, we’ll:

• Share the priority actions in the plan: building stronger communities, better mental and physical health and protecting nature
• Explore ways to work together
• Identify next steps
• Build momentum for lasting change

Date: 12th Sept 2025
Location: Forest of Dean District Council Offices - Second Floor Meeting Room
Time: 10 am - 11.30 am
RSVP by: 31st August 2025

This is an opportunity to connect with others, shape plans, and ensure that no one is left behind. We’d love to have you in the room. Please share with anyone you think would be interested.

Artspace Brochure

Artspace Cinderford are delighted to announce our new Autumn programme of arts courses, for all ages and abilities, is OUT NOW. From painting to pottery, from drama to drawing and from circus skills to textiles, we have a really exciting programme of fully inclusive, accessible creative opportunities. We have courses for adults and for young people, on weekdays, evenings and Saturdays.

Bookings can be made directly via our website, by using the QR link in our brochures, by calling 01594 825111 or popping into the centre. We are open 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday - Friday.

We offer a range of places, from FREE fully funded (for those who meet course eligibility) to concessions and full fee places. Please call us if you need help choosing the right option.

Please note, our courses can be popular and as such we operate a first come first served system and our programme is subject to change dependent on fluctuating funding.

What's On?

call 01594 825111or email info@artspacecinderford.org for more information

Hoarding Group

Group Rules:

1. Confidentiality. What is said in the group, stays in the group!

(Unless something of a criminal nature is disclosed where we have a duty to report)

2. Always be respectful.

3. Listen without interrupting. We value everybody’s input – but also understand that some people may not feel confident in speaking within a group setting.

3. Do not judge.

4. Be supportive and encouraging

5. Only share what you feel comfortable with sharing.

6. Please refrain from using any offensive language!

We aim to provide a confidential safe space for people with hoarding behaviours to support each other. We can offer practical advice, empathy and understanding - however it is your lived experience that will provide a unique insight and understanding of this complex issue affecting approximately 2.5% - 6% of the population.

Welcome to the Coleford Hoarding Support Group

Forest of Dean District News

Listening to businesses across the district

As part of our Listening to Business initiative, we took a trip to businesses in Newent, Cinderford and Coleford to discover what’s going well and to understand some of the challenges they face.

We spent time with Greenhills Coffee House, Forest Tailoring, Scoff's Coffee House and the Dog House in Coleford, as well as The Museum of Board Games in Newent.

If you are part of a business and interested in meeting officers and councillors to discuss business in the Forest of Dean, please get in touch by emailing: regeneration@fdean.gov.uk

Forest of Dean District News

Support for victims of domestic abuse

As part of the 16 Days of Action campaign that started on the 25th November 2024, we've been working to publicise the support that is available for victims of domestic abuse across the district.

Officers have been working with local businesses, including pubs, cafes and restaurants to promote the 'It happens here too...' initiative. This includes putting up posters on their premises to highlight the different forms of domestic abuse and the help and support that is available.

We've also been working with partners from the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) to highlight the training and advice that is available for both residents and businesses.

Forest of Dean District News

Help available for those affected by flooding

If you're a resident who has been affected by the recent flooding, we will assist with freecollections of bulky household items, including sofas, white goods e.g. fridges, freezers, washing machines. We cannot collect bricks, tiling, flooring or DIY waste.

The full list of items that can be collected can be found here.

Remember that if you've been affected by flooding, please report it on the Gloucestershire County Council website. This will help with preventative measures moving forward.

For highways updates, please check the Gloucestershire Roads page on Facebook, or at the by clicking here.

‘Pedal Eazy’ by borrowing an e-bike

^{Residents are being invited to borrow an e-bike for up to three months in a new scheme to promote sustainable travel in Gloucestershire.}

^{https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershire-county-council-news/news-november-2024/pedal-eazy-by-borrowing-an-e-bike/}

Appeal Launched for Imjin Memorial to Honour Brave Glorious Glosters from the Forest of Dean

Coleford, 21 October 2024: An appeal has been launched to raise funds for a memorial to commemorate local veterans who fought with 1^st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment (Glorious Glosters) in the famousBattle of the Imjin River in Korea, 22 – 25 April 1951. The Imjin Veterans’ Memorial will honour fifteen men associated with the Forest of Dean to recognise their bravery in battle and unwavering camaraderie and spirit to survive over two and a half years in the inhumane conditions of the prisoner of war camps in North Korea. The list of names will include Roy Mills from Cinderford, who sadly, passed away this month, and veterans from Coalway, Coleford, Dymock, Littledean, Mitcheldean, Newnham, Ruardean and Ruspidge.

The Battle of the Imjin River is widely recognised as one of the most fierce and intense military actions involving British Forces and is revered to this day in the Republic of Korea for saving Seoul, the country’s capital, from communist occupation.

The memorial is being overseen by the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Steering Group, which was formed following aForest of Dean District Council motion on the 70th Anniversary of the battle. The group comprises Cllr Julia Gooch, Chair; Roger Deeks DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant; Anny Reid, Royal British Legion Trustee and National Memorial Trustees Chair; and Andrew Gardiner, author and veteran engagement representative.

“Following the70^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Imjin River, it became clear that we need a place where the actions and bravery of our veterans - who were just young national servicemen in April 1951 - can be remembered for future generations,” said Roger Deeks DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant. “Sadly, the recent loss of Roy, whom we all remember with so much respect and fondness, has added an extra degree of poignancy to the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Appeal.”

Julia Gooch, Chair of the group and District Councillor, “I hope everyone who loves the Forest, and its rich history will dig as deep as they can into their pockets and help raise the £18,000, we need to make this brilliant and much-deserved memorial a reality.”

The walk-through memorial, which has been designed by Andrew Gardiner, will be built by local company,Grail Engineering, and installed in theCyril Hart Arboretum, near Speech House, Coleford. The design was inspired by the ‘freedom archway’ through which the veterans passed when they were released from captivity in 1953. Also featured are three plaques to bear the names of the veterans, commemorate Forest of Dean freedoms and rights, and honour the special relationship between Gloucestershire and the Republic of Korea. It is hoped the location of the memorial will make it a popular place for remembrance and an excellent option for school educational visits.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the appeal can do so by visiting theImjin Veterans’ Memorial page on the Forest of Dean District Council website fdean.gov.uk/ImjinVeteranMemorial orJustGivingjustgiving.com/crowdfunding/Imjinmemorial.The names of all donors will be recorded.