I WOULD like to thank all the residents for voting for me in this election.

It has been a very interesting eight years, and given me a good insight into the way the Forest of Dean Council works.

I now know you can do more for the Forest of Dean outside the council than you can inside as a district councillor.

There have to be many changes to how our council works. I found the kangaroo courts that were held a disgrace.

I do hope that the new district councillors who have been elected will change this madness, and bring in a more professional  and intelligent way of dealing with matters that arise.

Just get on with keeping the Forest of Dean the unique  place that it is.

Of course everyone would have to work together to make this happen, which is hard when many like to disagree with others.

The Forest of Dean has changed quite a bit over the years, and not all change is for the better.

The very best of luck to the newcomers.

Once again thank you for the support that I have been given over the last eight years.

But I am really now looking forward to the next eight years, hopefully with all the stress gone.

- Maria Edey, Coleford.