Transcript Historical Minute Book 1977 to 1993 - Ashdown Forest

Hon. C.A.S. Grimston, Messrs. R.G. Edwardes-Jones, E.W. Ellison, F. Kennard, J.A.A.S. Logan, M.G. Taylor.
2. MINUTES
The minutes of the Meeting held on 17th. May 1978 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
3. MATTERS ARISING
a) Plawhatch Riding Stables. The Superintendent reported that a special club permit had been issued at the agreed
fee of £40.00 for four horses. So far very little use had been made of this permit and no problems had arisen and
none were anticipated in the foreseeable future.
b) Ashdown Forest Golf Club. The Club Secretary had requested permission to spray parts of the fairways on the
new course to kill annual weeds. The area affected at present was relatively small, amounting in all to not more than
two acres. The weedkiller to be used was of the hormone type already approved for use on Greens. It was agreed
that spraying would be permitted for killing of weeds on the fairways. The Superintendent was instructed to liaise
with the Secretary of the Golf Club so that he was informed on every occasion when the Golf Club wished to carry
out this type of spraying.
c) Recreation Ground. The Superintendent reported that work on the construction of the new football pitch would
be starting in the near future. The problem of future parking of cars had been the subject of a Meeting between
himself and the Secretary of the Football Club. It had been agreed that a notice would be placed at the top of
Chapel Lane directing cars to the Recreation Ground Car Park situated behind the sports pavilion. The Football
Club had undertaken to check on all cars parking along the roadway and to see that their members did not offend.
The Clerk would be supplied with a fixture list so that he would know when matches were being played and could
arrange for Rangers to carry out spot checks on the parking problem.
d) Mounted Ranger. The Superintendent reported that the Friends of Ashdown Forest had agreed to give a
donation to purchase a horse and horse box. Mr. D. Smith of Forest Row had loaned a horse for a period of
assessment, after which, if all parties were happy consideration will be given to the purchase of 'Byron'. The Hon.
Simon Stuart had sent a cheque for £100.00 for the upkeep of the horse and will be making arrangements for a
Bankers Order in favour of the Conservators to be paid annually. The Hon. Simon Stuart's offer of a field and
stables had already been taken up. Before the horse was put out a quantity of hay was made ready for the winter.
Mr. White proposed that letters of thanks be sent to The Hon. Simon Stuart, the Friends of Ashdown Forest and
Mr. Smith. This was unanimously agreed and the Chairman asked the Clerk to arrange this.
e) Job Creation Programme. The Superintendent had very little to report as, although the project had been
approved, manpower resources did not appear to be available. There was a general discussion on ways that the
scheme could be made more attractive to participants. The Superintendent was instructed to continue negotiations
with the Manpower Services Commission with a view to arranging some scheme which would provide manpower
as soon as possible. Transport difficulties, possible provision of meals and direct approaches to schools to interest
them in the scheme were to be investigated.
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The Superintendent presented the Financial Statement as at 1st, July. He reported that the income and expenditure
was according to schedule for the time of the year. The Superintendent reported that the East Sussex County
Council had agreed to meet the £70.00 deficit incurred last year by over expenditure on the estimates.
5. CONSERVATION OFFICER’S REPORT
He had visited Epping Forest where he was given a guided tour and discussed Forest management problems.
He had been looking into the need for an interpretative service on Ashdown Forest and the subject was covered in
the paper which was handed to the Meeting. The Conservation Officer reported that he had been examining and
costing future staffing requirements of the Forest as well as considering possible methods of raising the necessary
financial resources. This work is to be incorporated in the detailed paper, “The Brave New Forest 1984 ” .
Arrangements had been made for additional items to be produced for sale in the Information Caravan. A leaflet on
The Birds of Ashdown Forest was being produced in conjunction with the R.S.P.B. and a series of colour
postcards was being printed.