WOODLAND towns! life in the sticks. Crime, Poverty and beauty

[@ukexplored]

Hope you enjoyed this video! If you have any feedback or comments, we'd love to hear them! Do you live in the Forest of Dean? Are you familiar with any of these areas? Do you know what causes towns to become rundown? Your feedback is valuable to the audience, please share. NB - Hello Lloyd, no offense buddy!

[@Budgiearmy]

You have inspired me to post vids thank you So much!

[@ukexplored]

@@Budgiearmy awesome, I subbed and will keep an eye out!

[@Budgiearmy]

@@ukexplored Thank you so Much

[@Theunknownmoniker]

I know i have commented else where but i missed this pinned comment. Another reason for the deprivation in the forest of dean was the shuttering of the Rank Xerox plant in Mitcheldean which at its peak in the during the 60s & employed over 5k & averages over 3k for 4 decades, you can't throw a stone in the forest of dean with out hitting some one who either worked at Xerox or who had a family member or friend that user to work there. The seconds largest employer in the forest of dean was Glaxo Smith Kline, making Ribena & lucozade, im not sure of the figures but im pretty sure they employed over 1k people at its peak but due to automation the 56 acre site & plant now only employs a 3rd of that workforce.

[@Keaton_scoots2024]

Sadly someone got got stabbed about a month ago and I live in cinderford

[@fatbloke2285]

I am from the second place on your list of decline and deprivation. Lydney. The reason why it is so bad now is because i left the area when i was just 8 yrs old. I am now 61. One day i will return and sort this shit out.

[@ukexplored]

Now that would be an epic story if you returned and sorted it out! Let me know when you're going to do it!

[@fatbloke2285]

@@ukexplored Well don't get to anxious waiting dude. Upon my return the difference will speak for itself. There will be '' old Rosie '' in abundance and more sugar in the pop. And that's just to start with.

[@MikeWellington-x9y]

I hope you succeed mate! Cheers!

[@anokata-kd8oc]

The dog jumping on the trampoline has a good time though.

[@kippersniffer3699]

Good video and the stats were a welcome extra mile 👍

[@ukexplored]

Appreciate you taking the time to say that, cheers!

[@peterengland6153]

Brought back memories, grew up in Newland went to school in Coleford. Even back in the sixties still had drug problems, lack of things for kids to do. We had to play football in the church graveyard, headstones made good goal posts.

[@electronicearnings]

I got married in the Forest of Dean. It's a lovely place. I'm AMAZED to see some of these areas you have highlighted. Coleford also has many lovely cafes. Great Video! I'll try and be more careful and aware if I ever go back!

[@ukexplored]

It’s changing rapidly, eh!

[@Titot182]

I grew up in North West London before moving to Gloucestershire about 15 years ago, before settling in Lydney 5 years ago (previous to that, I was in Coopers Edge). Yes, there's some well known establishments in town where you can consider them as your neighbourhood unlicenced dispensary and whilst the main high street looks drab and run down, it's probably more successful than Chepstow 8 miles down the road, where it's mostly coffee shops and charity shops. Lydney's expansion has stepped on the toes of true Foresters since you've got a lot of folk coming in with Bristol and London money that want the outdoor lifestyle on the new developments on the top of Lydney, which prices the indigenous out of Lydney whilst simultaneously driving the house and rental prices up and limiting the housing stock. The same can also apply to Coleford and Cinderford - a lot of new houses being built along the A48 and A40 without having the supporting services and infrastructure. All you need to do is go onto the Forest of Dean Roadwatch and see the dire situation we're in. But, for the demographic which I'm relating to i.e. your work-from-home profressionals, the aforementioned towns don't really tally up with the skewed reality. Most of Lydney's appeal is the surrounding FoD - We're not quite in the statuatory forest, but heading along to Parkend and Mallards Pike and you know exactly why you chose to relocate to the forest. To have some of the best MTB trails at your doorstep is why quite a few of us moved from the cities to live in the FoD. What I love about living in the Forest is you always know somebody that knows somebody that you know. It took a while for the locals to get used to an oriental chap with a combined Queen's English, Cockney and Roadman accent. Wife voulnteers with one of the Rainbows and Brownies units and we both represent the Forest of Dean Lions (The community requests we get reflect the sort of situation folk find themselves in).

[@Jo-hc8pm]

I've lived in the forest all my life, first in Yorkley but now currently in lydney. As you mentioned in this video the pharmacy in lydney has been broken into on several occasions. The co op (next to that pharmacy) had the cash machine taken out of the side of the building going back several years ago by a digger. A jewellers in town has been broken into in the past. The pubs are terrible looking especially from the outside. I've not been to any of them in years. If i could move from here i would. Also, if you ask people who have lived in the forest for a long time what's the worst place here, most would say Cinderford. The only people who tell you that it isn't a terrible place to live is the people who actually live there. Also, too many potholes in the roads in the forest. I don't understand how people want to come here on holiday. Theres nothing worth seeing.

[@MikeWellington-x9y]

I lived and enjoyed living in he Forest of Dean, Littledean, and attended East Dean Grammar School. I enjoyed living in the Forest and now, where I live in Rushworth in Australia, where there are so many similarities, I still look back to the Forest of Dean. What a great place for a young bloke to grow up in!

[@Sundayletsplay]

Saw my house on your video, mines one with a nice garden! 😂 yeah it’s not the best but I’d still live here over any city in the uk

[@ukexplored]

That's awesome, ha, as long as you're happy where you are, that's all that matters - I'm starting to think I'd take the forest life over the city!

[@chrisamies2141]

I stayed in Lydney and had a day on the Dean Forest Railway, which is presumably its no.1 tourist draw - once again, a way of getting out of the town rather than staying in it. I do like that you don't trash places and say 'look how terrible this is!' but point out that there has been practically no investment in the place for years. Lydney is technically on the main line railway also but the station is quite a distance from the centre - they could do with a Stourbridge-type shuttle along the preserved railway from the station to the town centre, but given the lack of investment again, this is unliikely to happen.

[@ukexplored]

Yeah, we’re not trying to dump on or shame any areas. I know a lot of hard working people that live in the areas we cover; they’re being let down by higher powers. We’d cover some of the train services and stations if we cover the good points of the forest, they do some good touristy things.

[@Theunknownmoniker]

Good video, as an outsider who has been around the forest of dean, especially Coleford since the mid 00s, while its not perfect its definitely on the up, I've lived here for 5 years now, having grown up 20 mins away in a pretty affluent village & have seen a marked improvement in the town centre & investment into the town. From a large skate park in bells field on lords hill, to the refurbishment or a couple of pubs to new restaurants & a deli. When looking for a place to purchase over 5 years ago, Coleford was even then by far and away the best choice.

[@ukexplored]

Thanks for your insights. I agree, although the topic of this video was highlighting the worst areas in the forest based on crime and deprivation stats, these areas - and Coleford in particular- are far from dangerous or bad places to live compared to many areas in the country. I’d happily live in Coleford myself, I’m becoming tired of big city life!😀

[@Theunknownmoniker]

@@ukexplored Oh yeah completely understand where you were going with the vid, growing up where I did when i was younger i though the whole of the forest of dean was really rough! I find Coleford a bit weird because on the outside unless you visit some of the rough estates most people wouldn't think that the deprivation rates are so high here. I think its because Coleford is spread out more than people think & the outlying villages are apart of the civil parish of Coleford. That being Milkwal, Colway, Broadwll, Mile end & berry hill. Town life is great, close to the country side, just enough to amenities & if I want something more I just book a hotel at any city & have a nice city break.

[@emcdt1461]

I grew up near the Forest and so I know it pretty well. This video was a good and fair summary. The FoD towns have their share of problems, that's for sure

[@Maggi56789]

Wrong on many accounts. Visit any council run estates and you will find unkempt gardens. You didn’t go near the nice parts of Lydney and Coleford. I would agree with you about the abomination that is Cinderford, it’s horrible.

[@johntimbrell]

It's the bottom line folks. The council is the biggest criminal in the area. They have a cabinet who regularly break the law by refusing to allow important matters involving huge sums to be discussed at the full council. They regularly break the planning laws. If I challenge the councillors I get such replies as "Well you know what it's like John. You cannot fight the system" What that really means is that I am a coward and anyway my expenses are up there with the minimum wage. Oh! and if you complain to the corrupt police about the criminal council, they reply, "We do not think it appropriate to prosecute in this case". Yet they are very diligent in prosecuting people speaking their mind as allowed by our common law. Guess what folks. It's YOU who is at fault. You allow the corruption to continue by your silence. Re. Mr. Wilding and his illegal building. He could have escaped imprisonment if he had learned that the notices served on him were unlawful but his selfish attitude to his neighbours was repeated when advice was offered to him. His ears were closed.

[@xeviphract5894]

Lived in the Forest all my life. This video is a fair assessment. The order of towns is accurate. There's always been poverty and crime, but not everyone chooses to see it.

[@andrewwigham3026]

House prices down south are a joke lmao I live in the North East in a town that borders a forest and you can get a 3 bed terrace house shown in these shots for like 80k - and if you want a normal sized nice dethatched home (3 bed) its like 180k and a large detached home 4-6 bed ranges from 230k-400k. No wonder so many people move up here.

[@ukexplored]

Yeah with remote working and some other factors it’s hard to resist getting so much more for your money now. If you’re not paying crazy prices in some places you’re paying crazy rent.

[@andrewwigham3026]

@@ukexplored I genuinely feel like the North of England is the last bastion of normality in this country, the rest seems absolutely insane - I grew up in a well off background, my dad earned 15k a month - and I still couldn't imagine living down south and paying those prices, god help people who genuinely work normal jobs down there. Do they have any other option than renting? Damn.

[@Theunknownmoniker]

Houses prices in the forest, especially those located closest to Bristol, saw a massive jump once the seven bridge toll was removed, property prices jump almost 20% overnight.

[@extremepoker75]

Lydney' s a lovely place an extremely safe place to live

[@guypritchard8259]

Nothing for youths to do- apart from all the green spaces the forest offers, the local gyms, rugby/ football clubs, the river wye / kayak rapids, the country's best mountain bike trail centre, Cinderford indoor climbing centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, parkruns, fishing lakes, independent cinemas, independent pubs, 2 go ape centres, army/navy / raf cadets, scout groups, martial arts clubs, Coleford music festival, illegal raves, a few skateparks, forest of dean college, amatuer dramatics groups ect ect

[@mattheweagles5123]

Cinderford is a bit of a pit. Closed shops, limited jobs and not much to do. There is some investment with a college and now a hospital being built in town but it's a long way to go. Mitcheldean has also suffered from the loss of the Xerox factory and is gradually decaying. But other parts of the Forest have recovered from the loss of industry, it's just a slow process.

[@Budgiearmy]

As always this vid is great 👍 also I have put you in my friends tab on my channel.

[@ukexplored]

Thanks man. ☺️

[@roryleigh7790]

I live in Mitcheldean, what did you think of that?

[@ukexplored]

I haven’t been to Mitcheldean for many years or dug into the stats. Someone I know who lives in the forest have me this top 3 and it checked out when I looked through the reports. Im interested to know how you think Mitcheldean compares to these three towns as someone who lives there!

[@roryleigh7790]

@@ukexplored it’s run down but nowhere near as much as the others in this video, nowhere near as much crime too

[@ukexplored]

That’s good to hear! It’s awesome when rural areas thrive and have a good community spirit.

[@davewhittles]

at least it has a nice forrest nearby although you might want to be careful in case the locals are roaming there in the evening

[@ukexplored]

🎶If you go down in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise…🎶

[@andym.6141]

‘Body parts in a suitcase’…..they were brought into the area by someone from Coventry, FFS.

[@BeaEss]

I live just outside of Cinderford and I've always felt extremely safe here. Unfortunately the opening of the college by Steam Mills has created a hotbed of idiots who hang about there. Gangs of lads, I've no idea where they came from, they don't speak English.

[@martinnorth2680]

Worth a visit to Coventry....Wood End, Hillfields, Bell Green

[@antonywilliams5703]

3 of the worst towns in the Forest of Dean? Can you name any other towns in the Forest of Dean?

[@ukexplored]

Blakeney, Cinderford, Drybrook, English Bicknor, Huntley, Littledean, Longhope, Lydbrook, Lydney, Mitcheldean, Newnham and Newent are the main ones. There are more that sometimes get grouped into the general forest area.

[@antonywilliams5703]

@@ukexploredLydney and Cinderford are the only towns in that list. The rest of them are villages.

[@robertosborne7542]

Lived in Coalway,moved to Bream,school in Coleford-great to be there as a kid but had to leave to see the world.Would go back now tho,love the walks etc. 3:33 Cinderford has always been a dump,nothing new there,Lydney to a certain extent too but Coleford was always a cut above. PS a lot of those council houses are privately owned these days.

[@willswildanimals7256]

You are making The forest look like a bad place I have lived in the forest my whole life I spend A lot of time in all three of those places they are very nice once in a blue moon, something happens but it’s better here then most places

[@ukexplored]

Sorry you feel like that. We take an objective stance when covering areas and use factual data. You’re right though, the Forest of Dean has some huge pluses that are unique to the area, and I thought I said as much. It’s also nowhere near as bad as the cities we cover. Thanks for your comment.

[@willswildanimals7256]

No problem i wasn’t trying to be mean sorry if my comment annoyed you

[@ukexplored]

That's fine, I didn't think you were - and I'm not annoyed 😀

[@debsmith5520]

Appreciate the work of channels like yours and '#turdtowns', you are both highlighting areas of the UK out of the public eye and overlooked, and unfortunately neglected.

[@ukexplored]

Thanks, Deb, it’s scary how quickly the rich poor divide and social problems are accelerating now, too.

[@StuartCameronMSW]

Even the skateboard was scuffed!

[@ukexplored]

Classic! 😂

[@mrnemo1480]

The Forest of Dean is still a safer place to live than most city's...

[@ukexplored]

Yeah, that's true. Some awesome areas to explore, too.

[@FragrantVagrant69]

I don't know why this video didn't show up in my alerts, very annoying! Beautiful weather!

[@benhart7469]

I live in lydney and from the forest. Ain't nothing wrong with it zurry. Just all the outsiders and do gooderz.

[@Adam-cr8qe]

I wouldnt live in these places if you paid me, looks like someone threw some sheds up and drove a combine harvester through them

[@robinhughes8822]

I lived there for a few years ,the swan in lydney was supposed to be tough but to be be fair if your polite people are the same back , I found cinderford not aggressive but down trodden . I come from London so nothing shocks me ,but there is a massive lack of opportunities for young people and adults ,there is no industry apart from tourism and that’s weak ,most people have never even heard of the the Forest of Dean .The Foresters are a very loyal folk ,they hate the Welsh and the ENGLISH and consider themselves foresters ,but treat them ok and there ok ,me old butt

[@allisonmcculloch3852]

Yes, you have the towns in the right order.

[@ukexplored]

Thanks, someone I know who grew up in the forest also agreed with the stats.

[@Budgiearmy]

if I were a child I would not want to live here

[@willswildanimals7256]

It’s actually really nice once in a blue moon something happens i am 13 it’s safer here then most places it’s really nice and chill most people here are really friendly

[@Budgiearmy]

K

[@malcwhite]

It's nowhere near as bad as this video paints it

[@robertosborne7542]

Totally disagree-lived there til I was 17,instilled a sense of freedom,you can more or less walk where you want unlike other parts of England,and a life long love of walking.There were downsides,especially from 14 yrs on with not much to do,but very happy to have spent my formative years there.

[@ECPBigD]

TF sent me 👍

[@ukexplored]

He’s the man 💪🏻

[@JohnNelmes-y4o]

You are picking out the ugly parts that every towns have.What about the good areas and all the nice attractions- Bathurst park ,Bathurst outdoor swimming pool,Harbour,Lydney park estate , Recreation ground ,Boating lake etc

[@alisonjones9089]

What? Council mow the grass? Residents need to keep their own front gardens neat and have some standards.

[@Korkakof]

l live around all 3 of these and my friends play for colefords football team

[@ukexplored]

Did I list them in the right order? Do remember that this was just the forest listing, I’m not comparing it to other areas, it’s nice in the forest overall!

[@K61r]

"The Forest" - Literally just destroyed humanized areas mixed with agriculture.

[@waynegardner2495]

Considerate these houses are shit holes they are still worth quarter of 1 million what hope to people have to own there own homes

[@hughsleggs2632]

Lydney is not in the Forest of Dean 😂

[@ukexplored]

How sure are you about that? I’ve read the wiki pages, Forest of Dean tourism pages, and I know someone who lives in Lydney. Everything and everyone says that Lydney is in the Forest of Dean.

[@hughsleggs2632]

Within the Council Boundary but not geographically. Tourist information will suggest Lydney is the gateway to the Fod. The county welcome to the Fod signposts exclude Lydney!!!

[@ukexplored]

I’m not sure if that’s a good thing for Lydney or not! 😀

[@hughsleggs2632]

I'm bothered by your and other vlogs representing your opinions of destinations in the UK. What you show is representative of a large majority of towns in England and Wales where underinvestment and destruction of industry prevails. I'm particularly sad for the folk who live in these areas who may see your video, as largely they do not control their opportunities or underinvestment.

[@ukexplored]

Yea, it’s been an eye opener travelling the UK. I had an idea things were ‘getting worse’ but things really do look bleak, especially in some areas.

[@harrisonhenschker1785]

Made it sound shit I’ve lived here all my life and it’s nice … typed this before scunderford came up all that’s true

[@JohnNelmes-y4o]

You are picking out the ugly parts that every towns have.What about the good areas and all the nice attractions- Bathurst park ,Bathurst outdoor swimming pool,Harbour,Lydney park estate , Recreation ground ,Boating lake etc .

[@jaystephenswood2170]

I thought that too. But to be fair that's Lydney not Coleford and Cinders.