Forest of Dean areas but the focus has been to capitalise on the scenery and to create jobs from tourist attractions and the leisure sector. Significant numbers of residents work outside the area, commuting to Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol, Newport and Cardiff. For hundreds of years, mining in the Forest of Dean Coalfield has been regulated through a system of freemining. This, and other forms of self-governance, coupled with the Forest's geographic isolation between the rivers Severn and Wye, has given rise to a strong sense of cultural identity in those from the area, who are collectively known as 'Foresters'. The ancient rights were
Forest of Dean District Council Forest of Dean District Council Forest of Dean District Council is the local authority for Forest of Dean District. Forest of Dean District is located in West Gloucestershire in the South West of England region. Its council is based in Coleford. Other towns in the district include Cinderford, Newent and Tidenham. Forest of Dean District Council elects 48 Councillors. As of 2017 the Council comprises 22 Conservative Councillors, 9 Labour Councillors, 8 Independent Councillors, 4 UKIP Councillors, 4 "Independent Labour" Councillors and 1 Green Party Councillor. The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972,