MADAM, May I congratulate Herefordshire Council in their booklet detailing the Herefordshire Walking Festival from June 14 to 22, 2003.

The walks sound inspiring and I feel that I would like to go on all of them. However, one comment on the first page made me feel rather sad and I quote: "We have two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Wye Valley and the Malvern Hills".

What about the area of outstanding beauty on the City of Hereford's doorstep, namely Dinedor Hill?

This hill is of historical significance being an iron-age hill fort and the base for Cromwell's siege in 1645. From the top at 600 ft one can see into the distance to three counties and admire the natural meadows and woodland housing many of our indigenous animals and birds.

I would be happy next year to conduct a walk from Hereford to the top of Dinedor Hill and return in order that the public may appreciate what a beautiful gem is on their doorstep.

Sadly, the county planners do not think highly of it as they intend to put a road through it, not just running along the natural line of the city boundary, i.e. the railway line, but right up through the hill enabling many, many houses to be built and virtually making the proud Dinedor Hill into a suburb of the city.

I would recommend that Herefordshire Council include a walk to discover Dinedor Hill in their next Walking Festival brochure before its beauty is lost to future generations.

ENID BULLOCK,

Dinedor Hill, Hereford.