HANDS Off Our Forest is organising a celebratory party at Speech House, and everyone is invited to let their hair down and cheer the campaign\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n
Musicians and entertainers, who rallied to the cause of keeping our Forest in public ownership, will be singing songs \u2013 many inspired by the great HOOF battle – with a little poetry and comedy also included. It\u2019s hoped that everything from brass to lively acoustic music will help create a party atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Entry to the HOOF Celebration, on Saturday July 28 from 5pm onwards, in the Speech House marquee, is free. There will be a hog roast and full bar (there will be a charge for food and drink).<\/p>\n
Musical acts Bob Smith, Asha Faria-Vare, Max, Gorg n Zola, Cosmo, Muddy Summers, Mike Edwards and the lively trio Folklaw will take turns in performing, and Forest raconteur Keith Morgan will do a spot of poetry and comedy. Forest of Dean Brass, who so memorably led the procession through the Cyril Hart Arboretum at the winter rally in 2011, will perform at 6.30pm. Each act will perform songs – many self-penned – inspired by the HOOF campaign.<\/p>\n
Viv Hargreaves, the editor of The Forester, who launched HOOF in late October 2010 and designed its distinctive oak-leaf logo, will welcome people to the celebration. There will also be short addresses from HOOF chair Rich Daniels, Baroness Jan Royall of Blaisdon, and Forestry Commissioner Sir Harry Studholme, who was a member of the Independent Panel for Forestry which recently produced a report. Sir Harry, Rich Daniels and Baroness Royall will be on hand to answer any questions people might have about the report, the extent of HOOF\u2019s victory and the way ahead for the campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government has confirmed our Forest will stay in public ownership \u2013 so we have won a major part of our battle,\u201d said Rich. \u201cWe all need to let our hair down and have a good time after a long time campaigning.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019ve organised this party event as a thank-you to everyone who raised their voices and banners, signed petitions and wrote letters, which ensured our voices were eventually heard.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, HOOF\u2019s work is not yet done, as we also have to ensure our Forest is managed publicly in the future and the Government resource it properly, and also to secure permanent protection for our Forest.<\/p>\n
So while most of this event is a chance to party and congratulate ourselves on what we\u2019ve achieved, we\u2019ll also be explaining and having a short debate about what we still need to do. \u201cWe had a lot of help from musicians at our historic rally at Speech House, and also producing a compilation CD called Hands Off \u2013 while others helped with fundraising events and were inspired to write songs, and we\u2019re really chuffed most of them can make it to the victory party.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reckon it\u2019ll be a great party and I hope people will join us and have a good time. Everyone helped to make this happen, so let\u2019s raise a mighty Forest cheer!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cinderford\u2019s Triangle FM is providing the sound system. HOOF is also calling for feedback on the panel\u2019s report, which can be accessed from the website www.handsoffourforest.org<\/a>. People can either comment publicly on the website, or privately via email. See the website for details.<\/p>\n The programme:
\n5pm \u2013 doors open
\n5.30pm \u2013 welcome from Viv Hargreaves
\n5.35pm \u2013 Bob Smith
\n5.45 pm \u2013 Rich Daniels
\n5.50pm \u2013 Sir Harry Studholme
\n6.00 pm \u2013 Baroness Jan Royall
\n6.05 pm \u2013 Q&A
\n6.20\u00a0 pm \u2013 Award presentation by Rich Daniels
\n6.30pm \u2013 Forest of Dean Brass
\n7.10pm \u2013 Asha Faria-Vare
\n7.25pm \u2013 Max
\n7.40pm \u2013 Gorg n Zola
\n7.55pm \u2013 Keith Morgan
\n8.10pm \u2013 Muddy Summers
\n8.25pm \u2013 Cosmo
\n8.40pm \u2013 Mike Edwards
\n9pm – Folklaw<\/p>\n