Virtual Noticeboard

The Forest Volunteer Awards 2026 are here! It's time to celebrate the incredible people, groups, and organisations who go the extra mile to make the Forest of Dean a better place. Quiet heroes, bold changemakers, passionate volunteers — we want to hear THEIR stories!

7 Categories to Nominate In:

• Volunteer of the Year – People's Champion (PUBLIC VOTE!)
• Young Volunteer of the Year (21 & under)
• Grassroots Group of the Year
• Community Organisation Award
• Business in the Community Award
• Diversity & Inclusion Award (sponsored by FoD Dementia Action Alliance)
• Community Climate Action Award (sponsored by Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership)

Know someone who deserves recognition? A group making a mighty impact on a shoestring? A business that truly gives back to our community?

Nominate here: https://www.fvaf.org.uk/volunteer-awards

Closing date for nominations is Sunday 19^th July

Warm Homes Local Grant scheme

Do you want to feel in control of your energy bills?

You could be eligible for FREE energy-saving home upgrades through the Warm Homes Local Grant — helping you stay warm, save money, and reduce your energy use.

To qualify, you’ll need to:

• live in Gloucestershire or South Gloucestershire
• have a total household income under£36,000
• live in a home with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G (Don't know your EPC? No problem— we can check for you!)

Find out more and apply today:

severnwye.org.uk/upgrade

0800 500 3076

*subject to eligibility

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.