Geoff – Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Tour Guides

Severn Bore at Minsterworth on 24 January 2019

The 3 star Severn Bore as seen near Minsterworth church today. Water flowed upstream behind the tidal waves that comprise the Bore at a rate of knots filling the channel within the next hour. Warming tea and coffee were on sale at the St Peter’s church along with delicious home made biscuits.

Minsterworth churchyard is the final resting place of poet F W Harvey and the recently installed stained glass Harvey window in the church is well worth seeing. The window was commissioned by the F W Harvey Society using funds donated by the public.

Estimated Wild Boar numbers in the Forest

Each year the Forestry Commission estimate the size of the Wild Boar population in the Forest of Dean.

The latest figure is for 2018 which estimated 1,635 wild boar were present in the area. The population changes can be seen in the graphic – from local paper, the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Review.

A graphic showing Estimated wild boar population in the Forest of Dean — Estimated wild boar population in the Forest of Dean

Walkers and dogs on New Year’s Eve 2018

Two Lakes and the Cyril Hart Arboretum.

More than 20 guests, several with their dogs, enjoyed a New Year’s Eve walk from the Speech House Hotel. The walk saw them visit Woorgreens and Speech House Lakes and the Cyril Hart Arboretum . The photo shows them on Spruce Ride near to Speech House Lake.

The arboretum recognises the contribution of Dr Cyril Hart to the Forest of Dean in the form of many published authoraive books and papers and his long service as one of H M Verderers. Dr Hart was present when H M The Queen planted a tree opposite the Speech House in April 1957. Interestingly, when the Duke and Duchess of Wessex planted new trees at the Speech House in 2014, they used the same spades that the Queen and Prince Phillip used exactly 57 years earlier. The spades are on display in the Speech House.

Winter walk from Whitemead

Walkers from Whitemead took advantage of a lull in the rain to enjoy the soft winter sunlight in the Forest.

After a day of rain and wind following a few dull days, the welcome sunshine illuminated the woodland with a delicate, soft light. Plenty of boar activity was evident near Parkend.

The visitors enjoyed the contrast between the Forest of Dean and their native N. Yotkshire and commented on the common theme of coal mining in both areas. Their 3 year old grandchild walked the whole route.

A photo of Whitemead on a December day. — Whitemead on a December day.

Dry spell in the Forest of Dean

The prolonged dry spell and hot weather continues in the Forest but the walkers from Whitemead are un-deterred. The dogs on the weekly walk were very glad of the extra water carried for them by their thoughtful owners. In the hot weather remember to leave out water for wildlife in your garden.