Transcript Historical Minute Book 1977 to 1993 - Ashdown Forest

3. VEGETATION PLAN
Papers on Heathland Management had already been circulated, and one on Woodland Management was presented.
The Superintendent outlined the proposed vegetation distribution on the Forest. The basis for this is as follows:
a. Woodland. There should be some slight increase in the woodland areas. Where regeneration was taking place this
should be stopped at certain agreed places, either at existing fire rides or at new rides cut along the boundaries. The
fringes of the woodland areas should be out periodically in order to avoid a sudden break from woodland to
heathland, and in order to maintain areas of scrub and young growth.
b. Heathland. The prime stands of heather should be retained. This will necessitate the removal of invading
vegetation, principally Scots Pine and Birch, and the rotational management of heather, probably by cutting.
Other areas of open heathland should be retained so as to keep the landscape value as well as the existing habitat
for wild life. The control of game and bracken will need further consideration.
Despite firm lines of demarcation on the map, necessary for management purposes, existing areas of heather within
the woodland areas, as well as specimen trees or coppices within the heathland areas should be maintained.
It was agreed that
a. The outline vegetation map of the Forest should be presented at the Conservators Meeting on 17th May.
b. Detailed maps of the proposed vegetation plans of each area of the Forest should be presented at subsequent
meetings.
c. Detailed costing, both in financial expenditure and manpower, should be prepared to cover
(1) The work involved in achieving the required vegetation state
(2) The future maintenance required to retain this state
(3) The extent to which voluntary help can be employed.
Chairman
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FOREST HELD AT THE
VILLAGE HALL, FOREST ROW, ON WEDNESDAY 17th MAY 1978 at 2.30 P.M.
PRESENT: Brigadier L.M. Scott (in the Chair), Mrs. C.M. Maudslay, Miss B. Willard, Messrs. R.G. Edwardes-
Jones, E.W. Ellison, R.J. Glover, L.C. Hardy, D.L. Kavanagh, F. Kennard, J.A.A.S. Logan, A.J. Miller, G.H. Wills.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Hon. C.A.S. Grimston, Mr. J. Gent, Mr., M.O. Taylor, Mr. A.L.H. White.
2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1978 / 79:
a. Chairman. Mr. Edwardes-Jones proposed that Brigadier Scott should be re-elected as Chairman. This was
seconded by Miss Willard and unanimously agreed. Brigadier Scott took the chair, and expressed his thanks to the
Conservators for their continued support.
b. Vice-Chairman. The Chairman proposed that Miss Willard be elected; Mrs. Maudslay seconded. This was
unanimously agreed.
c. Deputy Chairman. The Chairman spoke of the valuable contribution Mr. Kavanagh had made as Deputy
Chairman, in the absence through sickness, and later on the death of the late Vice-Chairman, Mr. C.R. Balfour-
Smith, and thought it would be advantageous to elect a Deputy Chairman again this year. Mr. Ellison proposed and
Mr. Logan seconded a resolution that there should be a Deputy Chairman and that Mr. Kavanagh should be reelected.
This was agreed.