Transcript Historical Minute Book 1977 to 1993 - Ashdown Forest

Mr. Millmore gave details of the assistance he had been giving to Ranger Linton in the mapping of vegetation and
of the work he had arranged with local schools etc. in vegetation clearance. He had also been looking into the
possibility of setting up a Voluntary Ranger Force and the ways of training volunteers.
10. TO CONSIDER THE CONTINUATION OF A LICENCE FOR TEMPORARY FENCING NEAR
SNUFF COTTAGE, SHARPTHORNE
The Superintendent reported that a fence had been erected approximately 13 years ago on the boundary between
Snuff Cottage and the Forest. A stream runs along this boundary and the Fence had been erected on the Forest side
of the stream. It was the subject of a dispute soon after it had been erected and following an enquiry at that time
the Board agreed that the fence be allowed to remain but that it should be under Licence to the Conservators. The
Clerk read out the terms of the current Licence.
Mrs. Lloyd of Old Plaw Hatch had now asked that the situation be reviewed. The Clerk suggested that a small subcommittee
carry out an inspection. It was agreed that Mrs. Maudslay and Mr. Kennard, together with the Chairman
and Vice Chairman as ex-officio officers form this Committee to inspect the site and make recommendations.
11. TO CONSIDER A FURTHER REQUEST FOR A LICENCED ROADWAY AT FOREST HOLME
This property had recently been divided into two lots and a previous request for the drive to be extended had been
considered and refused by the Board. The owner of Forest Holme had now offered to donate to the Conservators a
piece of land equivalent to the area that the new roadway would take. A brief discussion followed in which Mr.
Kennard advised that the proposed new road would necessitate the felling of two or three mature Oak trees and
Mr. Glover considered that the piece of land offered in the exchange would be of no real value to the Forest.
Mr. Kennard proposed that the Board’s previous decision should stand. This was seconded by Mr. Glover and
agreed unanimously.
12. TO CONSIDER A LETTER FROM THE EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL CONCERNING
THE YEW TREES AT DUDDLESWELL CROSS ROADS
The Police had requested the County Council to fell the trees. The County Council had been in touch with the
Superintendent by telephone and had promised to submit full details in writing. This letter had not yet arrived and
the Superintendent requested that the item be deferred until the next Board Meeting. This was agreed.
13. SUPERINTENDENT TO REPORT ON SUNDRY MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The Head Ranger had recently been contacted by a local Vet who had been treating an injured Fawn. The Fawn
had been injured on the Ridge Road and the Police had taken the animal to the vet, who had treated the Fawn's
fractured pelvis and other minor injuries and now faced the problem of what to do with the animal. After
discussions with Mrs. Arnold, Mr. Arnold agreed to take the animal as it could not go back on to the Forest. The
Fawn is now being cared for at Whitehouse Farm jointly by Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Ruxton and is making good
progress.
A letter had been received from Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smith M.P. enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. Henry
Osborne which had also been sent to the Council Council, District Council and the Police. requesting that cattle
grids be placed in the vicinity of his property to stop his sheep from straying as some 30 sheep were killed on the
roads each year. After a general discussion it was agreed that the Conservators would have no objection to cattle
grids but the financial implications were too great for the Conservators to aid the suggestion. Cattle grids alone
would not solve the problem and some fencing would also be needed. It was felt that the problem was more that of
the County Highways Department than that of the Conservators, and that any question of erecting fences on Forest
land should be approached with caution. The Superintendent was instructed to convey these opinions to Mr.
Johnson Smith.
The District Council had requested permission to erect a name board at Legsheath Lane. The Board has, in fact,
already been erected. The general opinion was that this should not be allowed. Mr. Kennard suggested that the
Committee carrying out the inspection at Snuff Cottage should also look at this. This was agreed, and that the
Committee should have delegated authority to order the removal of the board if they thought fit.
S & A Geophysical Limited had requested permission to carry out further Seismic Surveys on the Forest in the
Fairwarp area. Mr. Logan advised the Board that surveys of this kind had been carried out on his land and he
confirmed that they caused no disturbance to the soil etc. Mr. White proposed that the survey be permitted,
seconded by-Mr. Glover end this was carried unanimously.