THE carved stone head of Robert de Wakering, stolen from Newland Church in April 2012, has been returned to the Forest.

Earlier this year the 700 year-old artefact, one of the many features of All Saints Church – widely known as the Cathedral of the Forest – was tracked down by police to an address in Kent.

Church trustees and local historians feared that after three years with no clues to the theft the head had been lost forever. However, in January, it was offered for sale on an internet auction site.

Police raided a house in Kent, recovering the carving and other items of historic interest taken from churches.

Averil Kear, a church trustee and a vice-president of the Forest of Dean Local History Society, confirmed this week that the head had been returned to the Forest and into the safe-keeping of the trustees. They were now investigating ways to return it to the church and safely secure it.

All Saints will be the centre of attention in the Forest on Saturday as members of the Friends of Newland Church are joined by members of the Forest of Dean Local History Society for a talk by Canon Professor Nicholas Orme on 'The Greyndours of Newland'.

Mrs Kear explained: "The Greyndours were great benefactors to Newland church and theirs is a fascinating story well worth listening to. All Saints is steeped in Forest history and this should be an occasion not to be missed."

The talk begins at 3pm and anyone interested is welcome to attend. Parking is available at a nearby farm.