MR HARPER doesn't get it, does he? Just how important the future of the Forest is to Foresters, even to us relative newbies.

In January 2011 over 3,000 people stood in a snowstorm and told the government we would hold no truck with any plans to sell off our public forests.

Mr Harper thought a trust, run by local interests (that'd be great!) was the way forward. The government backed off and Mr Harper said what a good thing that was, after the event.

And again, just this past November, over 400 Foresters held a lantern parade at Mallards Pike to protest against clauses in the Infrastructure Bill which would once more have opened the way for sell offs.

Again the government backed off, and again Mr Harper said what a good thing that was, after the event.

We are fortunate indeed that throughout this period we have had a fervently proactive supporter in the House of Lords, to constantly make our case for us there.

We also need a fervently proactive supporter in the Commons to do the same, especially as the legislation to permanently protect the public forests – which the government promised us in early 2013 – has yet to see the light of day.

It is therefore absolutely critical for Mr Harper to tell us exactly what his stance on the future of the Forest is going to be should he be re-elected.

Let's make sure Foresters send a clear message to all candidates that the future of our home matters by filling the Forest Theatre tonight (Wednesday, April 22). See you there.

– C Mayo, Brains Green.