Transcript Historical Minute Book 1977 to 1993 - Ashdown Forest

c. Prosecution. The Superintendent reported that Mr. George Sanford had been fined £10 in the Uckfield
Magistrates Court for unauthorised flying of model aircraft from the Forest.
5. OUTLINE VEGETATION MAP: The delineation of woodland and heathland areas as shown on the
vegetation map were approved in principle; subject to detailed approval of individual areas being given at
subsequent meetings.
6. ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977/78
The Superintendent presented the accounts for the previous financial year. Adoption of the accounts was proposed
by Mr. Ellison, seconded by Mr. Kavanagh, and unanimously approved.
Mr. Edwardes-Jones drew attention to the amount of money in the Current account on 31st March 1978, and the
Superintendent was instructed to consult the Bank with a view to arranging automatic transfers to Deposit, so as to
keep the Current account at a minimum level.
7. JOB CREATION PROGRAMME: The Superintendent reported that the previous scheme had now ended, it
that authority had now been given by the Manpower Services Commission to commence a new scheme employing
two supervisors, ten 16 to 19 year old young people and one bookkeeper for a period of thirty weeks. There was a
possibility that this period would be subject to extension. Details of the scheme had not yet been received, and the
starting date had not been fixed. The Superintendent had, with the Chairman's authority, retained the services of Mr.
Gladman, the supervisor with the previous project, as a temporary workman on the Conservators staff, in order to
provide continuity when the new programme started.
8. SUNDRY MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
a. East Grinstead Scouts Litter Collection. The Superintendent reported that the Scouts had held a very successful
sponsored litter collection on the Forest. This had been very well organised and the resultant clean up of the Forest was
remarkable. A letter of appreciation had been sent on behalf of the Conservators.
b. Fires. There had been 18 fires, burning approximately 57 acres this spring. Apart from two fires of 25 and 15
acres, all the remainder had been minor. It was probable that half these fires had been deliberately started, the
remainder accidental.
c. Sponsored Ride. A very well supported sponsored ride in aid of "Action Research for Crippled Children" had
been held on 14th May. Several thousand pounds had been raised for the charity, and the organiser had promised a
substantial donation to the Forest in appreciation of the help given by the Rangers.
d. Litter on the Golf Course. There had been a number of complaints concerning litter on the new course. The
Friends of Ashdown Forest had indicated that if the Conservators were to request a donation for litter baskets they
would be willing to provide these. The Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club had undertaken to arrange the emptying
of baskets if they could be provided. It was agreed that a formal request be made to the 'Friends' for the purchase
of six baskets.
e. "In Deepest Britain". The BBC had made a nature film on the Forest to be shown on BBC 2 on Thursday 18th
May. A fee of £5 had been paid to the Conservators.
f. Sheep. Mr. H. Osborne had made complaints regarding dogs worrying his sheep grazing on the Forest. The
Chairman had authorised temporary notices warning the public, to be placed in the Nutley-Fairwarp area.
g. Chairs for Conservators Meetings. The purchase of twelve new stacking chairs was approved.
h. Radio Broadcast. The Head Ranger had, with the Clerk's authority, taken part in a countryside broadcast
concerning Ashdown Forest. Further programmes in the series would be broadcast at approximately two monthly
intervals.